Greece Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Greece
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated October 23, 2025
Greece recorded 0.8 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is among the lowest in the world. That places Greece #160 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Europe average of 1.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.4 per 100,000 in 2013, 0.8 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Greece at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
0.8 /100k
Safety Rank
#36 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (1.4 per 100,000 in 2013, 0.8 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Greece Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Greece, the homicide rate for men is 4.0× higher than the rate for women — 1.4 vs 0.3 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Greece:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Advisory Summary Exercise normal precautions in Greece. Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services. If you decide to travel to Greece: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Greece
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated February 19, 2026).
Terrorism
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations. In the past year, there have been multiple terrorist attacks in Europe. Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities as viable targets. In addition, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks. U.S. citizens should exercise additional vigilance in these and similar locations. For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Strikes and Demonstrations
Domestic strikes, demonstrations, and work stoppages are common throughout Greece and can become violent. Stay informed through local news, hotel security, the U.S. Embassy website , and the Consular Section’s Facebook page . Enroll in STEP to receive alerts sent by the Embassy. Transportation sector strikes interrupt traffic, public transportation, taxis, seaports, and airports. Confirm domestic and international flights before heading to the airport. Avoid all areas affected by the annual November 17 demonstrations, including the U.S. Embassy. Anarchists and criminals have used university campuses as refuges. Demonstrators frequently congregate in the Polytechnic University area, Exarchia, Omonia, and Syntagma Squares in Athens; and at Aristotle Square, Aristotle University, and the Kamara area in Thessaloniki.
Crime
Crimes against tourists, such as pick-pocketing and purse-snatching , occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation, especially the metro. A common tactic is one person causes a commotion on the metro or pushes travelers to distract them while another person snatches the belongings. Thieves also seek out and break into rental cars to steal passports, valuables, and luggage. The Embassy has received reports of alcohol-induced attacks targeting individual tourists at some holiday resorts and bars. Take the following precautions: Be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Do not leave bags unattended, especially on the metro and the Athens Airport train or in your vehicle. Avoid standing near bus or train doors. Thieves often strike as the doors open then disappear into the crowd. Use alcohol in moderation and remain in control. Never leave drinks unattended in bars or clubs.
Victims of Crime
Report crime to the local police and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+30) 210-720-2414 or the Emergency after-hours telephone (+30) 210-729-4444 if you require assistance. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Help you find appropriate medical care Assist you in reporting a crime to the police Contact relatives or friends, with your written consent Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms Provide a list of local attorneys Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States. Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in certain cases of destitution Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home in certain cases of destitution Replace a stolen or lost passport
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tremors and earthquakes
occur regularly. Forest fires are common, especially during the dry summer months, and occasionally cause road closures. In the event of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities. Contact the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, which responds to emergencies, at 210-335-9900 for more information. Operators speak English. Monitor the U.S. Embassy Athens’ website and Consular Facebook page .
Tourism
: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities, such as Athens or Thessaloniki. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Greece Population & Demographics
Population of 10,405,134, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greece safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Greece at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 0.8 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Greece?
Greece has an intentional homicide rate of 0.8 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #160 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Greece?
Greece is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Greece compare to other countries?
Greece's homicide rate of 0.8 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Europe average of 1.6.