In recent years, gang-related violence has spread across certain European nations, including regular machine gun attacks in Brussels and youth-led assassinations in Sweden.
Euronews examines major European cities with the highest rates of shootings, while also highlighting those cities that are free from gang-related violence and gun crime.
This is not a scientific comparison: in numerous countries, law enforcement do not specifically record gun-related crimes, and not every capital city in the EU releases such data. We have considered national statistics and media reports, and evaluated them alongside the range of sizes among European cities.
Many of the cities on our list are capitals of EU member states, but there is an exception: the conditions in Marseille were so severe last year that we had to add it. Focusing on EU capitals also means we overlook several Balkan nations, where gun-related crime is common.
Perilous Areas: Brussels, Stockholm, Marseille, Amsterdam
These major cities and capitals experience ongoing violence connected to drug-related criminal groups.
- Brussels, known as the gun violence hub of Europe, where everyone faces danger
In terms of gun violence, Brussels stands as the most perilous European capital this year. With an increase in drug-fueled gang-related violence in Anderlecht and the Molenbeek areas, shootings have grown common in the Belgian capital.
By mid-August, the city had documented 57 shootings, with 20 occurring during the summer months. Brussels’ public prosecutor, Julien Moinil, stated during a press conference that all residents are vulnerable within the city.
“Every individual, including all residents of Brussels and citizens, could potentially be struck by a stray bullet,” he stated, calling for a unified effort to combat gang activity.
The Belgian Federal Interior Minister, Bernard Quintin, is currently supporting the idea of deploying soldiers to patrol the streets of Brussels in an effort to reduce criminal activity.
They might also expand the system of surveillance cameras in areas where drug activity is prevalent.
- Stockholm, once a tranquil capital, has become a center for gun activity.
As per the Swedish officials,The Stockholm metropolitan area documented 55 gunshotsUntil August 2025, leading to nine fatalities in the capital. Gun violence is increasing rapidly in Sweden, where drug gangs frequently employ young assassins, utilizing firearms or improvised explosives.
Although the number of incidents in Stockholm is somewhat less than in Brussels, on the whole, Sweden could face a more significant gun issue, as other cities such as Malmö or Gothenburg are also experiencing increasing crime rates.
This year, the nation has documented 113 instances of gunfire leading to 33 fatalities. The increase in organized crime, frequently linked to individuals from immigrant communities, stands in stark contrast to Sweden’s previously peaceful reputation.
- Marseille, a hub for the drug trafficking organization
Last year, Marseille ranked among the most dangerous cities in Europe regarding gun-related violence. In total, 24 individuals lost their lives due to shootings connected to the drug trafficking organizations. This represented a significant improvement compared to the 49 fatalities recorded the year before.
Expert Julien Sapori warnedthat the positive results were not a consequence of the police’s effective efforts, but rather because of the conflict between theYoda family and the DZ MafiaThe clan concluded with the triumph of the latter.
Here, the Ministry of Interior is attempting to stop street-level drug dealing as part of a “cleaning up” initiative, since drug use is increasing. This year, the French city has experienced some improvement. Although police data has not been officially released, reviews of local news reports have found two fatal gun-related incidents.
- Amsterdam: fewer gun incidents, more detonations
Limited official information is available regarding gun-related crimes in the Dutch capital. However, local media reports indicate that drug organizations often employ explosives against their enemies. In 2023, 197 explosions were documented, marking a doubling from the previous year. Meanwhile, the police note a decline in the number of shooting incidents. By reviewing press coverage, we identified seven significant shooting events in the Dutch capital, one of which resulted in a fatality, while others caused severe injuries.
High-risk area: Paris, Copenhagen, Athens, Lisbon, Rome, Madrid
These urban areas experienced many gunfights connected to criminal groups, yet the danger to civilians was minimal.
- Paris is more secure than Marseille or Brussels.
Paris is generally safer than Marseille regarding gun-related crimes, although it experienced a rise in murders last year, reflecting an overall increase in violent crime. By reviewing news articles, we identified at least four fatal gun incidents in the capital, some linked to drug-related gangs. Authorities reported a total of 34 homicides in 2024, marking a significant increase. Extra police forces were stationed in Paris in 2024 for the Olympic Games.
- Copenhagen introduced search zones
Last year, authorities established search zones in the Danish capital following a fatal shooting connected to gang-related activities. In these locations, law enforcement has the authority to stop individuals and check for firearms. Over the past two years, multiple shootings have occurred, with two resulting in deaths. The main area where gang violence is concentrated is the Nørrebro neighborhood.
- Athens: could be dangerous
Law enforcement in the Greek capital do not release detailed information regarding shootings. However, local media have reported multiple significant incidents this year and last. In the previous year, at least five individuals were killed by gunfire, with approximately six separate shooting events documented. So far this year, there have been at least two shootings.
- Lisbon has experienced significant firearm-related crimes recently.
The capital of Portugal experienced significant gun-related incidents last year, including a triple murder carried out in an execution-style manner. This year, a young individual was shot multiple times in an event that caused severe injuries. Additionally, police killed a man during an attempt to make an arrest.
- Rome: mafia-style executions
We found 8 shootings in Rome, resulting in at least five fatalities, over the past two years. Certain events were mafia-style killings, and numerous cases involved organized crime individuals. However, keep in mind, similar to Paris, Rome is enormous!
- Madrid, a few shootings
We were unable to locate official statistics, but local media reported eight instances of gunfire in the past year, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. Certain of these incidents involved drugs.
Moderate risk: Bucharest, Ljubljana, Nicosia, Prague, Riga, Sofia, Vienna, and Zagreb
These urban areas experienced only occasional instances of gunfire.
- Nicosia: several gun incidents
Nicosia experienced multiple gunfights and events last year and this year, resulting in injuries. A police officer also shot and killed a Pakistani migrant.
- Vienna: rising crime
The capital of Austria experienced several significant shooting events over the past two years. In July 2024, a man opened fire during a confrontation between Syrian and Chechen migrant groups. Fortunately, no one was injured. Additionally, last year, two individuals were hurt in a drug-related gunfire incident. This year, four people were shot in an event that took place in Vienna.
- Riga: triple murder
Latvia had one of the highest homicide rates in the EU relative to its population, with 67 people murdered in 2024, and firearms were involved in eight of those incidents. In the capital, Riga, a triple shooting murder occurred last year.
- Sofia: a few shootings
The Bulgarian media covered five instances of gunfire in the capital city of Sofia during the previous year, with one resulting in a fatality.
- Bucharest: incidents of road rage and street brawls resulted in gunshots
Last year, local media covered approximately six instances of gunfire, primarily stemming from conflicts on the streets or roads.
- Prague: School Shooting Increases Statistics
Prague is typically one of the safest cities, yet in December 2023, 14 individuals lost their lives in a shooting at Charles University. Apart from that event, Prague remains peaceful, with only small-scale incidents documented.
- Ljubjana: mafia-style execution
A violent killing resembling a mafia-style hit of a Bosnian man caused shock in the Slovenian capital last October. In addition, several incidents were reported, although the trafficking of firearms is increasing.
- Zagreb: violence connected to organized crime
We found two recent gun-related incidents in Zagreb, with one resulting in harm. The second one was associated with organized crime.
Cities with low risk: Berlin, Dublin, Helsinki
These urban areas tend to be peaceful.
- Berlin: Relatively unaffected by gun-related crime
There have been a few instances of gunfire in the German capital in 2025, including one that caused harm.
- Dublin: Generally safe
The capital city of Ireland is typically secure for residents concerning gun-related violence, with only one fatal occurrence and several other gun-related incidents recorded over the past two years.
- Helsinki: School shooting affected the statistics
The capital city of Finland experiences a generally calm environment regarding drug-related criminal activities. In the previous year, a school shooting occurred in Helsinki, resulting in one fatality and two individuals being injured. This year, a young individual opened fire while attempting to escape from law enforcement officers.
Secure urban centers: Vilnius, Budapest, Warsaw, Helsinki, Bratislava, Luxembourg City, Valetta, and Tallinn
These urban areas are typically secure for residents, with few or no instances of gunfire reported.
- Vilnius: No gang violence
Vilnius is free from gang violence and criminal organizations. Only one firearm-related incident was documented last year, involving the murder of a lawyer.
- Budapest: Some instances of gunfire, typically considered secure
The capital of Hungary experienced several small-scale shootings in the previous year, although the majority involved street conflicts using gas or rubber bullets. No injuries were reported. The city’s capital is considered secure regarding gun violence linked to drug activities.
- Warsaw: Some small occurrences
We noticed several events in Warsaw from last year, during which gunfire occurred. In the majority of instances, the police were associated with the shootings. Warsaw remains secure from drug-related gang violence.
- Bratislava: Secure for Visitors
Bratislava is considered very secure, with only two instances of shootings documented over the past two years, which were not connected to gang-related activities.
- Luxembourg City: Two incidents
The capital of Luxembourg is still secure. We have detected two gun-related incidents, one connected to drugs, resulting in a minor injury.
- Valletta: One incident
We recorded a single gun-related incident in the capital city of Malta this year, with no injuries reported. However, according to the police, the use of firearms in homicides is increasing across the island.
- Tallinn: No records
We were unable to find any recent public records of gun crimes or shootings. Estonia typically experiences a very low rate of homicides involving firearms. Therefore, Tallinn seems to be the safest city on our list!
