Crime in Germany: Statistics, Risks, and Safety
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Germany remains one of the relatively safe countries in Europe, but that does not mean there is no crime. For everyday life, what matters more than the country’s overall image is an understanding of the risks that actually exist: theft, fraud, violence, cybercrime, and the situation in a specific city or neighborhood.
The official basis for assessment is the Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik (PKS), published by the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA). It is important to remember: The PKS reflects crimes reported to the police—that is, the “visible part” of the statistics. The figures are influenced not only by actual changes but also by people’s willingness to report crimes to the police, the frequency of investigations, demographics, changes in the law, and reporting methods.
What the crime statistics show
Until 2021, the total number of reported crimes in Germany was declining. This was followed by an increase in 2022–2024, and according to the 2025 PKS, the police again recorded a decline: approximately 5.5 million crimes, which is 5.6% fewer than in 2024.
| Year | Reported Crimes |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5047860 |
| 2022 | 5628584 |
| 2023 | 5940667 |
| 2024 | 5837445 |
| 2025 | 5508559 |
These numbers cannot be interpreted as a simple indicator of whether “the country has become safer” or “the country has become more dangerous.” For example, an increase in reports of fraud could mean either more crimes or better detection rates. To assess everyday risk, it’s more useful to look at specific categories: violent crimes, theft, robbery, sexual assault, and online fraud.
How Safe Is It to Live in Germany?
For most residents and visitors, Germany remains a country with predictable police operations, a well-developed legal system, and a relatively low level of everyday violence. However, safety is not uniform: a large train station at night, a tourist hub, a neighborhood with a lively nightlife, and a quiet residential area all convey different impressions and pose different risks.
In practical terms, this means the following:
- In everyday life, the risk of encountering serious violence is low;
- Pickpocketing and bicycle theft remain a real problem in cities;
- Online fraud, phishing, and fraudulent ads are becoming an increasingly significant part of the criminal landscape;
- A person’s subjective sense of safety may decline even with moderate changes in overall statistics.
Homicides and Serious Crimes Against Life
German law () distinguishes between “Mord” and “Totschlag.” In Russian, both terms are often translated as “murder,” but in German criminal law, they constitute different offenses. “Mord” falls under § 211 StGB and is punishable by life imprisonment. “Totschlag” is governed by § 212 StGB; § 213 StGB describes a less severe case of “Totschlag.”
Crimes against life are often used as an indicator of basic public safety because they are harder to conceal and almost always come to the attention of the police. In Germany, the clearance rate for such cases is traditionally high, but minor fluctuations from year to year should not be interpreted as a standalone political or migration-related conclusion without a detailed report from the BKA.
Violence, Fights, and Bodily Injury
In Germany, assaults and threats are generally treated more formally than in many Eastern European countries: victims are more likely to report incidents to the police, and a conflict can lead to criminal proceedings even after a “ordinary” fight. Therefore, statistics on bodily injury reflect not only aggression in society but also the culture of reporting incidents to law enforcement.
The rise in violent crime between 2022 and 2024 was a particularly hot topic in the German public discourse. According to the 2025 PKS, violent crime declined slightly for the first time since 2021, but it remained a sensitive issue for the police, politicians, and residents of major cities.
What reduces personal risk:
- Avoid conflicts near clubs, train stations, and bus stops at night;
- Avoid getting into arguments with aggressive strangers;
- If you feel threatened, go to a crowded place and call 110;
- document injuries and identify witnesses if a conflict does occur.
Sex Crimes
Crimes against sexual integrity require particularly careful interpretation. An increase in reported cases may be due to an actual rise in crime, a change in victims’ willingness to seek help, or changes in criminal law and reporting practices.
According to data presented by the Bundesregierung upon the publication of the PKS 2025, the number of reported sexual offenses remained high, and cases of rape increased by 9.0% compared to the previous year. At the same time, such crimes are often committed not by random strangers, but by people within the victims’ social circles.
When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just crime news that matters, but also basic precautions: don’t leave drinks unattended, plan your route home in advance, use a licensed taxi or public transportation, and seek help immediately if a situation seems dangerous.
Robberies and Street Crime
Robbery differs from theft in that it involves violence or threats. Such crimes are less likely to go unreported because victims usually contact the police immediately after the attack.
In large cities, risks are higher in places with large crowds and rapidly changing foot traffic: train stations, tourist streets, transportation hubs, and nightlife districts. This isn’t a reason to live in constant fear, but it is a reason to exercise basic urban caution: don’t flash cash, keep your phone and wallet close to you, and don’t argue with groups of aggressive people.
Thefts, Bicycles, and Cars
Theft occurs without overt violence: items are taken discreetly or through break-ins. In Germany, this is one of the most prominent categories of property crime. Newcomers, in particular, often underestimate the risk of having their bicycles, bags, phones, and items stolen from their cars.
To protect yourself against bicycle theft 10_PUBLISHED/content/en/Bicycle Theft in Germany How to Protect Your Bike and What to Do After It’s Stolen, you should use a good lock, secure the frame to a fixed object, keep your bicycle’s documentation, and check whether your insurance covers theft outside your home.
For vehicles, the basic rules are as follows:
- Do not leave bags, documents, electronic devices, or jackets in plain sight;
- Lock your car even during a brief stop;
- choose well-lit parking lots;
- Keep your vehicle documents separate from the car.
Statistics on car theft in Germany vary by city and year. In large cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne, the risk is generally higher than in smaller towns, but specific rankings should be verified using the latest data from insurance associations and police statistics.
Fraud and Cybercrime
Fraud in Germany is increasingly linked not to street-level incidents but to digital channels. Common forms include phishing emails, fake bank messages, fraudulent rental listings, investment scams, fake online stores, and payment data theft.
Typical patterns:
- an email or text message purportedly from a bank asking you to confirm your PIN, TAN, or password;
- an apartment listing requiring a security deposit to be transferred before a viewing;
- a call from the “police,” “bank,” or “security service”;
- an investment platform promising guaranteed high returns;
- a request to accept or transfer money through your account.
German banks and the police regularly warn: You should never disclose your PIN, TAN, or passwords over the phone, via email, or through a link in a message. If a payment has already been made, you should immediately contact your bank and file a report with the police.
Insults, Hate Speech, and Illegal Online Content
In Germany, online statements can have criminal consequences if they contain threats, incitement to hatred (Volksverhetzung), anti-Semitic remarks, public calls for criminal acts, or insults directed at specific individuals. The Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) established obligations for major social media platforms to address complaints about illegal content; provisions of the German Criminal Code apply in parallel.
In practice, this means that a comment on social media does not always remain “just a comment.” In cases of serious violations, this can lead to an investigation by the prosecutor’s office, a search, a fine, or criminal charges. Threats, incitement to violence, justifying terrorist crimes, and the publication of prohibited symbols are particularly risky.
Crime and Foreign Nationals: How to Interpret the Statistics
The section on crimes committed by foreigners is often subject to misinterpretation, so it’s important to read it carefully. The PKS counts Tatverdächtige—suspects, not convicted offenders. Furthermore, the “nichtdeutsch” category encompasses very diverse groups: tourists, students, workers, refugees, people without permanent residency status, and foreigners living permanently in Germany.
According to the PKS 2025, the proportion of non-German suspects in violent crime remained disproportionately high at 42.9%. This figure cannot be automatically applied to all migrants. The statistics are influenced by age, gender, social status, type of residence, income level, the concentration of young men in certain groups, as well as the fact that some crimes are committed by people who are not part of Germany’s permanent population.
The correct conclusion is this: certain categories of crime do indeed require the attention of the police and social services, but the sweeping generalization that “foreigners are criminal” is statistically and legally incorrect. To assess risk, it is more important to look at the specific offense, location, age distribution, and status of the suspects.
What to Do If You Are a Victim of a Crime
In an emergency, call 110. If there is no threat to life but you need to file a report, you can go to the nearest police station or use the online form provided by your federal state’s police department.
A helpful step-by-step guide:
- Get to a safe place.
- Call 110 in the event of a threat, assault, stalking, or burglary.
- Record the time, location, physical descriptions, vehicle license plate numbers, screenshots, and witnesses.
- Block your bank cards and accounts if your documents, phone, or payment information have been stolen.
- File a police report (Anzeige) and keep the case number.
- If you are injured, see a doctor and keep your medical records.
FAQ
Is Germany safer than many other countries?
In everyday terms, yes: Germany remains a country with functioning institutions, a high clearance rate for serious crimes, and a relatively low risk of random serious violence. But that doesn’t negate the existence of theft, fraud, and localized problems in major cities.
Can the PKS be trusted?
The PKS is the main official source of police statistics, but it does not provide a complete picture of all crime. It takes into account cases reported to the police and depends on reporting rates, enforcement, and methodology.
Where is it most dangerous?
Risks are higher in places with large crowds, alcohol, tourists, and transportation hubs: major train stations, nightlife districts, festivals, and tourist centers. For specific cities and neighborhoods, consult the statistics for the respective state and municipality.
What poses the greatest threat to visitors?
In practice, it is not serious crimes that are most common, but rather theft, housing fraud, phishing, bicycle theft, and altercations in public places.
