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What is the safest country to drive in Europe?

The Countries with the Safest Drivers According to the official website of the European Union, Sweden and the Netherlands are the safest countries to drive in.



Based on the most recent 2026 road safety data, Norway is consistently ranked as the safest country to drive in Europe. Norway has the lowest rate of road fatalities per million inhabitants, a result of its strict "Vision Zero" policy aimed at eliminating all traffic deaths. This safety is achieved through a combination of very low speed limits, high penalties for traffic violations (especially speeding and DUI), and world-class road engineering. Sweden and the United Kingdom also rank highly, often swapping spots in the top three. Norway's success is particularly impressive given its challenging winter terrain; the government invests heavily in snow removal and mandates specialized winter tires for all vehicles. Additionally, the high adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Norway has led to a fleet of modern cars equipped with the latest "Active Safety" features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. For a tourist, driving in Norway is a very calm experience, as the local driving culture is characterized by extreme patience and strict adherence to the rules of the road.

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According to the GPI 2021 report, Iceland was ranked the safest country in the world for the 13th consecutive year, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, and Denmark. The GPI takes into account 23 indicators that are grouped under three domains: ongoing conflict, safety and security, and militarization.

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Croatia's process of economic convergence continues, with GDP per capita (in Purchasing Power Parity) in 2022 reaching 73% of the average European Union (EU) member states' level. The country has recorded the highest post-pandemic recovery of all EU member states (with the notable exception of Ireland).

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