Crime Rate in Spain

Before we dive into the crime rate in Spain details let me assure you: Spain is safe. 

After 17 years I can say this with confidence. Spaniards are a very calm nation in this view. 

If you plan to travel to Spain you will be completely safe. 

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule and we will discuss them in this guide. 

Spain’s low crime rate has been influenced by factors such as economic stability, social policies, and effective law enforcement.

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In 2022, the overall crime rate in Spain was 42.16 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants. 

To compare, the European Union average was 53.32 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants. The numbers support what I’ve experienced. 

Why is the crime rate in Spain lower than in other European Countries?

The most important factors for Spain’s low crime rate are:

• Strong social cohesion: Spaniards tend to have strong social ties with their families and communities. This can help to deter crime, as people are less likely to commit crimes in areas where they are well-known and respected.
• Effective law enforcement: The Spanish police and  Guardia civil force are well-trained and well-equipped. They are also proactive in their approach to crime prevention. When you visit Spain you will see them around every day and night.
• High quality of life: Spain is a safe and prosperous country. In Spain, life is good and can testify to this. When life is good in all areas, not just one, people are happier and much less likely to turn to crime out of desperation. 

Spain has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.

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What types of crime are most common in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

The most common types of crime in Spain are theft, fraud, and vandalism. In 2023, there were 31.92 thefts per 1,000 inhabitants, 10.55 fraud crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, and 0.32 vandalism crimes per 1,000 inhabitants.

Violent crime is relatively rare in Spain. In 2023, there were 0.41 violent crimes per 1,000 inhabitants. This is significantly lower than the EU average of 1.01 violent crimes per 1,000 inhabitants.

Crimes Related to Murder in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the intentional homicide rate (the number of intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) in Spain was 0.45 in 2023. This is a significant decrease from the 2022 rate of 0.50, and it is the lowest intentional homicide rate in Spain in recent history.

In 2020, the crime rate in Spain decreased by 20% compared to 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Sexual Crimes Committed in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

Spain has a relatively low rate of sexual crimes compared to other developed countries. In 2023, there were 0.21 reported sexual crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, while the EU average was 0.38 reported sexual crimes per 1,000 inhabitants. The most common types of sexual crimes in Spain are sexual assault and rape.

Here is a breakdown of the sexual crime rates in Spain by type of crime in 2023:

• Sexual assault: 0.14 reported sexual assaults per 1,000 inhabitants
• Rape: 0.07 reported rapes per 1,000 inhabitants

The sexual crime rate in Spain has been declining in recent years. In 2016, there were 0.28 reported sexual crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, and in 2017, there were 0.25 reported sexual crimes per 1,000 inhabitants.

There are several reasons why the sexual crime rate in Spain is so low. One reason is that Spain has a strong culture of sexual equality. 

In other words, women are equal to men. Coming from a different society you might find them even ‘bossy’. They are definitively not quietly sitting in the corner! 

Another reason is that Spain has a well-developed support system for victims of sexual assault and rape. 

Additionally, Spain has a strong police force that is effective at investigating and prosecuting sexual crimes.

Crimes Related to Kidnapping in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

The most common type of kidnapping in Spain is kidnapping for ransom. This is where the kidnappers demand money from the victim’s family in exchange for their release. In 2023, 23 of the 31 kidnapping cases were kidnapping for ransom.

The majority of kidnapping victims in Spain are children. In 2023, 15 of the 31 kidnapping victims were children.

The kidnapping rate in Spain is relatively low compared to other developed countries. In 2023, there were 0.008 kidnappings per 1,000 inhabitants in Spain. This is significantly lower than the EU average of 0.014 kidnappings per 1,000 inhabitants.

So travelling with kids to Spain is not a problem. But, please, by all means, keep standard safety precautions in place, just at home.  

Crimes Related to Robbery, Robberies Committed in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

Robbery is defined as the taking of property from another person by force or threat of force. In Spain, robbery is a serious crime and can be punished by up to 12 years in prison.

Types of robbery in Spain include:

• Armed robbery: Robbery committed with a weapon, such as a gun or a knife.
• Strong-arm robbery: Robbery committed without a weapon, but by using force, such as shoving or punching the victim.
• Pickpocketing: Theft of personal belongings from a person’s pocket or purse.
• Bag snatching: Theft of a bag from a person’s shoulder or arms.
• Smash and grab: Theft of goods from a shop or store by breaking a window or door.

The robbery rate in Spain is higher than in other European countries. In 2022, there were 1,023 robberies per 100,000 people in Spain. This is higher than the EU average of 279 robberies per 100,000 people.

Spain reached its lowest crime rate in recent history in 2021. 

Crimes Related to Theft in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

The most common crimes related to theft and its crime rates are as follows:

• Petty theft: Petty theft is a common crime in Spain, with a rate of 1,357.5 per 100,000 people in 2021. This rate is lower than the European Union average of 1,532.1 per 100,000 people.
• Robbery: Robbery is a less common crime in Spain, with a rate of 55.4 per 100,000 people in 2021. This rate is also lower than the European Union average of 69.7 per 100,000 people.
• Burglary: Burglary is a more common crime in Spain than robbery, with a rate of 310.3 per 100,000 people in 2021. This rate is higher than the European Union average of 271.5 per 100,000 people.
• Car theft: Car theft is a less common crime in Spain than burglary, with a rate of 114.8 per 100,000 people in 2021. This rate is lower than the European Union average of 123.1 per 100,000 people.

Fraud, Deception and Related Crimes Committed in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

Fraud, deception, and related crimes are committed in Spain, but the overall crime rate is relatively low compared to other developed countries. 

In 2021, there were 1,960,113 reported crimes in Spain, a decrease of 10.9% from 2019. 

The most common types of crime were theft and other property crimes, accounting for 28.6% of all reported crimes.

Here are some of the most common types of fraud, deception, and related crimes committed in Spain:

• Financial fraud: This includes crimes such as credit card fraud, identity theft, and investment scams.
• Commercial fraud: This includes crimes such as false advertising, price gouging, and counterfeiting.
• Cybercrime: This includes crimes such as hacking, phishing, and ransomware attacks.
• Social fraud: This includes crimes such as romance scams, lottery scams, and grandparent scams.

Crimes Related to Controlled Drug Use in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

Crimes related to controlled drug use are also relatively low in Spain. In 2021, there were 43,732 reported crimes related to drug trafficking and drug use per year. This is less than the European Union average of 48,311 crimes per year.

Crimes Related to Guns and Explosives in Spain and What is the Crime Rate?

Crimes related to guns and explosives in Spain are relatively low compared to other developed countries. In 2021, there were 502,788 reported crimes related to firearms in Spain, a decrease of 4% from 2019. 

The rate of firearm-related crime in Spain is 0.6 per 100,000 people, which is less than half the European Union average of 1.3 per 100,000 people. In the same year, there were 256,407 reported crimes related to explosives in Spain, a decrease of 3% from 2019. 

The rate of explosives-related crime in Spain is 0.3 per 100,000 people, which is also less than half the European Union average of 0.7 per 100,000 people.

Which Cities with the Highest and The Lowest Crime Rates in Spain?

Spain is generally considered a safe country to visit, with a low overall crime rate. However, like any major tourist destination, there are certain areas and cities where crime rates may be higher than others. 

The region with the lowest crime rate in Spain in 2020 was Extremadura, with 23.1 crimes per 1000 inhabitants.

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Here is a list of the cities in Spain with the highest crime rates, based on data from Numbeo:

1. Bilbao: Bilbao has a crime index of 52.2, significantly higher than the national average of 36.29. This is due in part to the city’s high population density and its status as a major port city.
   
2. Barcelona: Barcelona has a crime index of 51.2, which is also higher than the national average. The city has a reputation for pickpocketing and other petty theft, particularly in tourist areas.
   
3. Seville: Seville has a crime index of 33.2, slightly higher than the national average. The city is known for its nightlife and lively atmosphere, which can attract criminals.
   
4. Alicante: Alicante has a crime index of 30.7, which is lower than the national average. However, the city has recently experienced increased crime, particularly petty theft and robberies.
   
5. Valencia: Valencia has a crime index of 30.4, which is lower than the national average. However, the city has a reputation for drug trafficking and other organized crime.
   
6. Malaga: Malaga has a crime index of 30.1, lower than the national average. However, the city has a reputation for petty theft and robberies, particularly in tourist areas.
   
7. Madrid: Madrid has a crime index of 26.6, which is the lowest of any major city in Spain. However, the city has a reputation for petty theft, particularly in tourist areas.

What is the Crime Rate Against Tourists in Spain?

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE) and National Crime Statistics System (Sistema Estadístico de Criminalidad, SES) in Spain, the overall crime rate against tourists in Spain is relatively low. 

In 2021, there were a total of 38,252 reported crimes against tourists in Spain, representing 0.2% of all crimes reported in the country.

Petty theft is the most common type of crime against tourists, accounting for 68% of all reported crimes against tourists in 2021. 

Pickpocketing is a particularly prevalent form of petty theft, with tourists often targeted in crowded tourist areas and transportation hubs.

Other common crimes against tourists include robbery (22%), fraud (8%), and sexual offences (2%). 

No crime is so great as daring to excel.

– Winston Churchill

Robbery against tourists often involves distraction techniques or intimidation, while fraud may involve scams, counterfeit goods, or credit card fraud. 

Sexual offences against tourists can range from verbal harassment to physical assault.

The incidence of violent crime against tourists in Spain is relatively low. In 2021, there were 432 reported violent crimes against tourists, representing 1.1% of all reported crimes against tourists. 

The most common types of violent crime against tourists are assault (34%) and robbery with violence or intimidation (62%).

How Does Spain’s Crime Rate Compare to the World and Europe?

Spain has a relatively low crime rate compared to the world and Europe. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Spain’s crime rate, measured by the rate of intentional homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, was 0.64 in 2020, which is lower than the global average of 6.23 and the European Union average of 3.08. 

Regarding property crime, Spain also has a low rate compared to other countries. 

Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.

– Aristotle

The International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS), conducted by the UNODC, found that 8.9% of Spanish households were victims of property crime in 2019, compared to 25.9% of households globally and 14.5% of households in the European Union.

Should Crime Rate in Spain Worry You?

My personal view living in Spain for almost 2 decades is no, it shouldn’t. You should, however, take normal precautions because of those few rotten apples. 

Get your tickets and book accommodation with the confidence that you will have the time of your life in Spain.