Travel safety comparison · Europe

Spain vs Portugal: safety comparison

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Spain vs Portugal: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.

· How Warnely scores risk →
Portugal sits a little lower on the Warnely composite score than Spain (15 against 23), but the gap is small enough that the practical difference comes down to category-by-category detail rather than the headline. The biggest single category gap is in natural disasters, where Spain scores 1/5 against Portugal's 2/5. The US State Department currently carries a Level 2 advisory on Spain and a Level 1 on Portugal. Women's-safety rating differs: Spain is Generally Safe and Portugal is Very Safe.
🇪🇸Spain 🇵🇹Portugal
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 23 / 100 15 / 100
Risk tier Exercise Normal Caution Very Safe
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions)
Global Peace Index rank #25 #7
Drug law decrim decrim
Women's safety rating Generally Safe Very Safe
LGBTQ+ legal status marriage marriage
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency EUR EUR
Full guide

Is Spain safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is Portugal safe to visit in 2026?

Spain vs Portugal: common questions

Is Spain or Portugal safer to visit?

Portugal has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 15/100 vs 23/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Spain or Portugal safer for solo female travellers?

Spain is rated Generally Safe for women's safety; Portugal is rated Very Safe. Read the full guides for city-level detail.

What do FCDO and US State Department say about Spain and Portugal?

Spain: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State). Portugal: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) (US State).

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Planning the trip? Check Spain visa requirements and Portugal visa requirements.

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