Gang violence is on the rise across Europe, with drug-related crimes notably increasing in countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and France. A February briefing from the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) highlighted that escalating competition between rival criminal groups is driving this troubling trend.
One alarming development is the recruitment of minors into organized crime and terrorist groups. In response to this, some nations, such as Sweden, have passed legislation allowing for the wiretapping of children under 15 years old, aiming to combat a surge in bombings—at least 36 since the start of 2025.
According to the latest Eurostat data, 10% of EU citizens reported experiencing crime, violence, or vandalism in their neighborhoods, with that number rising to 12.3% for those at risk of poverty. “Even though Europe remains one of the least affected continents by organized crime, criminal networks are expected to expand globally, becoming more fluid and digitalized, increasing both diversity and competition,” the briefing noted. This could further escalate violence related to organized crime.
The countries with the highest rates of local violence, crime, or vandalism include Greece (20.9%), the Netherlands (16.7%), Bulgaria (15.6%), France (14.7%), Spain (13.6%), and Belgium (12.5%). Greece, in particular, has seen a rise in football fan violence, leading to stadium closures and tighter regulations on fan clubs and ticket sales.
Conversely, Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Estonia reported the lowest crime rates, all below 5%, making them among the safest countries in Europe.
