Is Pickpocketing in Europe Really That Bad?
Before traveling to Europe, there’s one question almost everyone asks before hopping on their flight across the pond: are pickpockets and is pickpocketing really that bad?
When planning you’re trip to Europe, you’re probably prepared to eat a lot of bread, pastries, enjoy a glass of wine at 2pm in the afternoon… and be to be on the lookout for pickpockets.
What Are the Worst Cities in Europe for Pickpocketing?
Some of the cities known for the worst pickpocketing in Europe include:
Tourists taking pictures on their phones on a sightseeing bus in Paris; June 2025
What is Pickpocketing?
Pickpocketing refers to when someone steals someones phone, wallet, or other valuables – often by distracting the person or when they are in a place too busy or distracted to realize they’re being robbed.
Europe, as a whole, has developed a reputation for some of the worst pickpocketing in the world – with cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona being known for pickpocketing.
The table below will break down how many pickpockets were in some of these familiar European capitals:
| Country | Pickpocket Rate | Hotspots |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇹 Italy 🍝 | 478 per million visitors | Rome, Florence — major tourist attractions |
| 🇫🇷 France 🥖 | 283 per million visitors | Paris: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🚲 | 100 per million visitors | Amsterdam: Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum |
Phone face down in El Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain; May 2019
How Do Pickpockets Work?
Pickpockets often work in a group to steal your belongings, with one person being designated to distract you while the other person does the “silent” stealing.
This can include:
Someone starting a conversation with you to distract you while their accomplice slips away and steals their phone out of your back pocket without you noticing
Accidentally “bumping” into you and snatching a valuable while you’re getting organized after colliding with the other person
Young kids, often operating in groups wearing black hoodies, working together to quickly run off with your phone once the doors to the metro, subway, or train close
It’s true that pickpocketing is common, even for locals, in Europe – but as long as you stay safe and follow these guidelines, you can successfully avoid pickpockets during your European adventure.
Inside the Paris metro; September 2021
Will I Be Pickpockted in Europe?
While it isn’t an automatic given that traveling in Europe means you’ll be pickpocketed, you do need to exercise increased caution to avoid pickpockers in major European cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona.
As an American living in Europe, I do find myself being more cautious of my belongings here – but I am not operating under the constant notion that I’m about to be pickpocketed. However, this is also because I am now a local and don’t look like a tourist about to be pickpocketed – which is one of the major keys to avoid being pickpocketed in Europe.
In fact, you’re most likely to be pickpocketed when at world famous tourist attractions: such as the Eiffel Tower, Bradenburg Gate, the Trevi Foundation, or Las Ramblas – as this is where tourists dwell and pickpockers are bound to succeed.
The table below will break down countries I have found myself on a high and low alert for pickpocketing:
| Alert Level | Country | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 High Alert | 🇫🇷 France | Even after living in Paris for years, I still never dare to take my phone out of my pocket on the metro – especially when the doors are closing, as that’s when pickpocketers will suddenly swipe the phone out of your hand and then vanish after the closing door. |
| 🔴 High Alert |
🇪🇸 Spain Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Seville |
While this is one of my favorite European countries, cities like Madrid and Barcelona are heavy on pickpocketing, but I did feel less on-edge in Granada or Seville, as they were smaller cities. |
| 🔴 High Alert | 🇮🇹 Italy | When we were in Rome and Florence, I kept my belongings close in big crowds – especially as we traveled during high season. |
| 🟢 Low Alert |
🇨🇭 Switzerland Swiss Alps |
I have left my phone next to my shoes to go swimming in a lake in the Swiss Alps, and was never worried – though I might be more paranoid now as pickpocketing is getting worse in Switzerland. |
| 🟢 Low Alert | 🇩🇪 Germany | Last time I was in Germany, I forgot to bring a backpack and had to walk around with a foldable, open tote bag – but I wasn’t worried in the slightest. |
| 🟢 Low Alert |
🇬🇧 U.K. Scotland |
Besides while being on the tube in London, which is still much less terrifying than the Paris metro in terms of pickpocketing, I personally don’t find the U.K. to be that bad for pickpocketing – especially when in Scotland. |
Outside the Underground or “Tube” in London near Picadilly Circus; January 2023
How to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe
If you keep your wits about you and remain vigilant, you can easily enjoy your European vacation without being pickpocketed.
Here are some of my top tips, as an American gone European, on how to avoid being pickpocketing in Europe:
Blending in to Avoid Pickpockets:
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: This may seem like a no brainier, but it’s the best and most simple way to avoid pickpockets – which is to remain vigilant when traveling, especially on public transportation in major European cities.
Blend in with Locals: Now, I myself don’t dress Parisian as an American living in Paris… but people know by this point that I’m not a tourist, as I know where I’m going and I’m not pulling out my phone seeking out directions. Even if you don’t know where you’re going in the moment, pretend until you get somewhere less risky for pickpocketing. This is where the whole, “fake it till you make it” mantra rings true. Try to look confident when navigating public transportation, and wait to pull over to a corner or inside a café if you need to check for directions or look at your phone. I can almost guarantee if you wear short shorts, a baseball cap, and speak too loudly – pickpocketers will immediately at least try to target you. You don’t have to go full European during your vacation, but you could stand to blend in a little more to avoid being a target of pickpocketing in the first place.
Traveling in trains in Europe; May 2019
Preventative Measures To Avoid Pickpockets
Keep Your Phone Away in the Metro: This should be a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how many locals in Europe still do this – and end up with their phone snatched. Especially in Paris, pickpocketers are known for snatching your phone right as the doors are closing. I NEVER take my phone out when the metro is packed, and I ONLY take it out when the doors are closed and we are in transit – because once we’re moving underground and I’ve assessed my surroundings, I can be more sure that I am safe from pickpocketers.
Check Your Belongings Each Step of the Journey: Maybe it’s the OCD in me, but I think it’s a habit that has come in handy – which is to check that I have my phone, wallet, passport, and camera each step of travel. For instance, when arriving at a train station for a weekend trip in Europe, I will pull over to the side and make sure that I have all of my valuables before approaching my gate to the train. This way, in the event I do lose something – I will be able to pinpoint when and where in my travel journey I lost it easier.
Use Air Tags as a Preemptive Measure: My friends love to make fun of me for this, but AirTags are truly the golden insurance against pickpocketing – as it’s so easy to hide inside a wallet, passport, or camera case without the theft even knowing. Therefore, even if they do steal it – you’ll have something to give to the police. I had neighbors in my building do this when that were robbed, and the police were able to locate the renter’s stolen iPad.
Train in Wilderswil, Switzerland; April 2025
How To Keep Your Bag Safe From PickPockets
Invest in Pickpocket Travel Gear: I personally have never had to go this far, as remaining aware of my surroundings and blending in with the crowd have done me well thus far – but if you’re worried, you can invest in pickpocket travel gear. As long as you stay alert, I truly think you’ll be just fine with my favorite fold-able day pack or cross-body bag.
Opt for a Purse with Zippers: This is the biggest, most important tip – as I see too many people in Paris walking around without bags that seal shut. In fact, one of my closest friends was getting on the metro with me and another friend at midnight – where me and the other friend both had zipped shut, cross-body bags. My close friend? She was brave enough to go out pas de purse, with her phone sticking out in the front pocket of her hoodie. Someone tried to snatch the phone out of her hand at the very last minute. I love her, but this is a class A example of what will happen if you don’t carry a sealed bag around with you in Europe. However, a tote bag that your arm can cover is usually okay too – as pickpocketers aren’t going to reach below your armpit to go digging for your phone or wallet.
Loop Your Backpack Through Your Legs: A lot of advice to avoid pickpocketing online includes avoiding backpacks, but I don’t think it’s a problem as long as you’re aware – and keep your backpack looped between your leg or your thigh. This is what I do when I’m out in public in Paris to avoid anyone from pickpocketing my bag while I’m writing, listening to music with eyes closed, or reading a book. My pro tip is, if you’re wearing a backpack on public transportation, to lean yourself against a pole or a wall – which avoids anyone from being able to get into your backpack in the first place.
Scrolling through my phone in a park in Paris; June 2025
Additional Ways to Avoid Pickpockets
Carry Less Cash: If you carry less cash around with you, there’s less for a pickpocketer to work with. Furthermore, in Europe – most things are paid by card now a days anyways, unless you’re at a local flea market or farmers market. However, if you’re worried about pickpockers going after your cash, I’ll give you a pro tip – leave some Euro bills flat inside your shoes, as it’s a place a pickpocketer will never be able to get to. Therefore, even in the event that you do lose everything – you’ll have some backup cash in your shoes.
Lock Your Luggage: I always travel with locked luggage now, but before I was the pro traveler that I am now – I would use simple luggage locks to lock my backpack or suitcase when in hostel. This, in combination with AirTags, makes it increasingly difficult for someone to successfully steal anything from you.
Overall, the threat of pickpocketing is real across Europe, but there’s no need to let your fear of pickpocketing keep you from having the time of your life in Europe – just follow these guidelines, stay safe, and have a blast!
See me talk about keeping my personal belongings safe in this European travel vlog to Copenhagen!
Last updated: June 11, 2025