Is Belgium Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Belgium
Safety rating
Women living in Belgium consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5.
Crime rating
Women living in Belgium consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 2.3 out of 5.
Violence rating
On average 2.5% percentage of women in Belgium have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.
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Crime & Safety Statistics
Based on 147 experiences
Safety rating: | 4/5 | Safe |
Safety walking alone after dark: | 3.4/5 | Moderate |
Safety using public transport: | 4.2/5 | Safe |
Crime rate: | 2.3/5 | Low |
Worries of being sexually harassed: | 2.2/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped: | 1.8/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being physically attacked: | 1.8/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of home broken and things stolen: | 1.5/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being mugged or robbed: | 1.8/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being kidnapped or murdered: | 1.2/5 | Not at all worried |
How safe is Belgium?
Brussels
Here is a place where you don't have much to worry about, but everyone should be careful wherever they go. It's safe in Belgium, but it depends on where you want to explore in the city. There were a few attacks, but not targeting civilians—only gangs. Drugs were involved, and so on.
Posted: May 7, 2025
aster
Leuven
Leuven is a university city, so there are a lot of students and night life is pretty big. Leuven is pretty small. I generally feel very safe in my city, and if anything happens, I know most strangers would be happy to help. I do feel a little unsafe when I am alone outside at night, but I think that’s also because I am very scared of being sexually harassed in general, not because Leuven is unsafe. I get catcalled once in a while, but i never experienced anything worse than that in my city.
Posted: May 4, 2025
Erica
Charleroi
If you stay in the center (high streets), there is quite no problem. Sometimes some guys try to connect with you, but not too much on the day time. I never go out when it's dark, so I don't have a lot to say about this. I prefer safety over trying.
Posted: May 3, 2025
Laura
Ghent
Besides some areas, Ghent is pretty safe. And even in the bit more sketchy neighborhoods, you are still very unlikely to be attacked or robbed. After dark you should be a little more careful, especially as a woman around some neighborhoods or in the party areas. There are cases of sexual harassment and assault but overall if you are a bit careful and speak up when something might happen, you should be safe. Most bars and clubs are very serious about keeping it a safe space so always let them know if someone is being inappropriate.
Posted: May 2, 2025Belgium
It’s quite safe for a solo female traveler, but I’d recommend being cautious in Brussels. Flanders feels safer than Wallonia overall, but people here are very kind and would step in to help if someone tried to harm you.
Posted: April 21, 2025Antwerp
You need to be mindfull. Keep your possessions close. As a woman, you will experience a lot of cat calling, aswell during the day and after dark. Best is to take an uber home/ to the hotel after going out at night.
Posted: April 19, 2025Bruges
Its a really clean city with a lot of tourists. The only problem you could have are people that are drunk. Tourists love to try our drinks but they are really strong and they underestimate how drunk they can get. Overall I would say in the night people sometimes shout because they are drunk but I think that happens in a lot of cities.
Posted: April 17, 2025Aalst
It's fine but really stay away from the trainstation when it's getting dark. When you have to, don't go alone but with a friend. There is police security but not the whole time. So be carefull. Overall the city is very safe
Posted: April 16, 2025Brussels
I moved to Belgium 2 years ago and I really like the city. Brussels is a multicultural capital and fairly safe to live in. I would recommend avoiding walking next to the train stations at night, especially if you are a woman travelling by yourself.
Posted: April 14, 2025Belgium
In the major cities, like Brussels, Gent and Antwerp, there is a medium crime rate but it's safe for a tourist! The towns next to the major cities I wouldn't recommend. The small towns are super fun!
Posted: April 13, 2025Is Belgium worth visiting?
Travel rating
based on 96 experiences from female travelers
Julia
Netherlands
Ghent, Solo travel
I went to Ghent for 3 days and stayed at the Upplink hostel. It was a great experience because the hostel has a lot of young people, it is in a perfect location and very well organized. The hostel staff were very friendly and gave me a city tour. The city is very beautiful and easy to get around because all the attractions are close by. The castle is definitely worth a visit. Try the Ghent Noses. The restaurants are expensive, and for a solo traveler with a very small salary, I think it is worth buying a sandwich at Carrefour for lunch 🤣
Posted: May 8, 2025
Reilly
United States
Bruges, Group travel
This was my first time in Belgium! I LOVED IT!!! Brugge is so pretty and everyone is very friendly!! Some things me and my friends did: - a canal boat tour (definetely worth it even if you aren’t into touristy stuff- the views of the nature and houses are so amazing from the canals) - beer flight tasting in the main square area - ate a lot of French fries and drank a lot of beer!! I also love finding record stores in Europe and Brugge had a few good ones! Safety: 10/10 during the day (I wasn’t there at night) everyone was so nice and friendly
Posted: May 6, 2025Meet locals in Belgium
aster
About Me
Hello, I’m Aster, 18 years old, from Belgium. I’m currently travelling through Norway with a friend. We’ve been here for a few months now, volunteering on local farms, and we want to go further north soon and do a hiking tour there. I love travelling and want to visit so many more places in the future!
Speaking
Isis
About Me
Hi! I'm a busy student at the University of Ghent. Animals are my passion, more specifically horses. I enjoy loads of little projects and social activities. As a board member of a student organisation, I love to spend my evenings with friends in the city, doing activities or organising them. My hobbies and interests are very broad, from caring for my horse, to poledancing or ballroom dancing, to crocheting or reading a book (these last two are less prominent these days due to my busy schedule unfortunately). Travelling has always had a special place in my heart, I work hard throughout the year to finance my little trips with friends. More than 5 months spent without travelling makes me go crazy!🤪 Italy has a very special place in my heart and tends to be my go-to destination when I need an escape from daily life in Ghent!
Speaking
Safety in Belgium
Ghent
Brussels
Bruges
Antwerp
Leuven
Turnhout
Hasselt
Mechelen
Tervuren
Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve
Sint-Niklaas
Aalst
Ostend
Kortrijk
Roeselare
Ypres
Frequently asked questions
Is Belgium safe?
Is Belgium safe to walk alone at night?
Is public transport safe in Belgium?
What is the crime rate in Belgium?
What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Belgium?
What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Belgium?
What is the risk of being physically attacked in Belgium?
What is the risk of burglary in Belgium?
What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Belgium?
What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Belgium?
