Safety is one of the main criteria for choosing a country to live in, build a base, lower taxes, or spend time with family. The safest countries may offer very different trade-offs: some are low-tax and attractive for long-term residence, while others are very safe but high-tax and better suited for short stays.
Low-tax safe countries
The United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, is described as one of the safest places in the world for residents, families, entrepreneurs, and wealthy individuals.
Dubai is presented as a place where people can feel safe walking around, raising children, wearing expensive items, and living in high-security buildings. While some areas such as Deira may have petty crime, the broader city is described as highly secure.
One example involved a French man whose passport, wallet, and other items were stolen from his motorbike near a grocery store. Police reportedly used security cameras, found the thief within about two hours, returned the items, and deported the person who committed the theft.
The main reason Dubai feels safe is the strong security and surveillance system. This can be seen as both an advantage and a caveat. The benefit is that crime is dealt with quickly. The trade-off is that the city has extensive monitoring and security infrastructure.
Dubai is also described as safer than places where the speaker experienced dangerous or uncomfortable situations, including the United States, Spain, and Ukraine.
A practical example is women’s safety. An Italian actress who moved from Italy to Dubai reportedly said she felt comfortable walking alone at 2 or 3 a.m., something she would not do in Italy.
Dubai’s safety advantages include:
- Low street crime in most areas
- Strong police response
- High building security
- Safe environment for families and children
- Ability to walk late at night in many areas
- Low risk of robbery or violent crime compared with many Western cities
- Low-tax environment
Singapore
Singapore is described as extremely safe, clean, well-run, and highly developed.
The city is presented as less artificial than Dubai while still offering strong order, safety, and infrastructure. It has skyscrapers, clean streets, efficient government, good policing, and a strong overall sense of security.
The speaker describes walking around Singapore at around 5 a.m., while it was still dark, without fear.
Singapore may have some petty crime, but overall it is described as one of the safest places in the world.
The main drawback is immigration difficulty. Singapore is not a zero-tax country, but taxes can be low with proper planning. However, obtaining residence or permanent residence can be difficult and may require investing several million Singapore dollars. Even then, permanent residence or citizenship is not guaranteed.
Singapore is attractive for:
- Safety
- Cleanliness
- Development
- Low tax potential
- Strong city management
- International lifestyle
The main caveat is that immigration is difficult and expensive.
Malaysia
Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur, is described as a safer and more accessible alternative to Singapore.
Kuala Lumpur is presented as developed, international, improving, and relatively safe. It is not described as being as safe as Singapore or Dubai, but it is considered one of the safer places in Asia for expats.
Malaysia has also attracted expats through the MM2H program, though recent changes have made it less attractive for some people. Some expats have left or stopped using the program because of requirements such as spending 90 days per year in Malaysia or meeting deposit requirements.
Malaysia may appeal to people who want:
- A developed Asian city
- Lower entry barriers than Singapore
- Lower costs than Singapore
- A relatively safe environment
- International lifestyle
- A place that is improving over time
Bangkok is contrasted with Kuala Lumpur. The speaker says he did not feel as safe in Bangkok, especially compared with Kuala Lumpur.
Qatar
Qatar, especially Doha, is described as objectively one of the safest cities in the world.
Crime and petty crime are described as very low. Like Dubai, Doha is said to function well and maintain a high level of public order.
However, Qatar is described as more conservative and religious than Dubai. While the UAE is still a religious country, Dubai is described as the exception because it is more open and international. Qatar is presented as stricter and less attractive to many expats.
It may become more attractive in the future as Gulf countries such as Qatar and Bahrain adjust tax and immigration rules to welcome more foreigners. However, the transcript describes Qatar as not yet as easy or appealing as Dubai for business setup, immigration, or a low-tax expat lifestyle.
Qatar’s advantages include:
- Very high safety
- Low crime
- Strong public order
- Growing interest in attracting foreigners
Its caveats include:
- More conservative culture
- More religious environment
- Harder immigration
- Harder business setup
- Less popular with expats than Dubai
High-tax safe countries
Some of the safest countries in the world are also high-tax countries. These may be attractive for short stays, but not necessarily for tax residency.
Countries mentioned include:
- Norway
- Finland
- Japan
- Iceland
These countries may involve tax rates around 45% to 55% for residents, so they may not be ideal for people trying to lower taxes. However, they can be excellent places to spend a few days, weeks, or months without becoming tax resident.
Norway and Finland
Norway and Finland are described as among the safest, most beautiful, and most developed countries the speaker has visited.
The quality of food, water, public order, and overall development is described positively. Norway is mentioned specifically as pleasant in May, with cool but manageable weather in Oslo.
These countries may be very attractive for short stays, but not for someone seeking low taxes or tax residency.
Their advantages include:
- Very high safety
- Clean environment
- Strong development
- High-quality food and water
- Strong public services
- Beautiful surroundings
Their caveat is high taxation for residents.
Japan
Japan is described as safe, culturally impressive, and highly enjoyable.
The speaker spent one month in Tokyo and described the experience as “mind-blowing,” with strong food, culture, and safety.
Japan is presented as a place where someone can walk around at 2 or 3 a.m. without fear. The main practical difficulty mentioned is language: many people did not speak English during the speaker’s visit around four years earlier, making communication challenging.
Japan’s advantages include:
- Very high safety
- Strong food culture
- Unique cultural experience
- Ability to walk late at night safely
- Highly developed environment
Its caveats include:
- Language barrier
- High-tax environment if becoming resident
- Not primarily presented as a tax-reduction base
Iceland
Iceland is mentioned as extremely safe, though the speaker had not personally visited. It is included among the standard high-safety countries that may be appealing for short stays but not necessarily for tax residency.
Safer options in South America
Chile and Uruguay are discussed as relatively safe options in South America.
They are not described as being as safe as Dubai, Singapore, or Norway, but they are presented as some of the safer countries in their region.
Chile
Chile is described as more livable than Uruguay because it has bigger cities, more developed urban areas, more things to do, strong nature, and impressive landscapes.
Santiago is described as beautiful and well developed. The country is also said to have good food and friendly people, especially for Spanish speakers.
Chile is not described as perfectly safe. Like the rest of Latin America, it has petty crime and safety concerns. However, it is presented as one of the safer and more developed options in South America.
Chile’s advantages include:
- Larger cities
- More developed environment
- Strong natural beauty
- Good food
- Friendly people
- Relatively low taxes
- Strong passport reputation
- Better lifestyle options than smaller countries
Its caveats include:
- Not as safe as Uruguay
- Petty crime and regional safety concerns
- Very far from much of the world, requiring long flights
Uruguay
Uruguay is described as likely the safest country in South America.
It is smaller, calmer, and more relaxed than Chile. Montevideo may be a good option for people who want a safe, relatively affordable place in South America.
However, Uruguay may feel boring to some people because it is smaller and quieter. It may not offer the same energy, scale, nature, or development level as Chile.
Uruguay’s advantages include:
- Strong safety by South American standards
- Calm lifestyle
- Lower cost than many highly developed safe countries
- Friendly and easy-going culture
- Potentially attractive for people seeking quiet stability
Its caveat is that some people may find it too small or boring.
Practical decision criteria
Choosing a safe country depends on more than crime statistics.
Important factors include:
- Personal safety
- Safety for children and family
- Tax burden
- Immigration difficulty
- Cost of residence
- Ability to get residency or citizenship
- Local culture
- Development level
- Language
- Long-term lifestyle fit
- Whether the country is suitable for tax residence or only short visits
The key distinction is between countries that are safe and low-tax enough to live in long term, and countries that are safe but high-tax and better suited for temporary stays.
Practical takeaway
For people seeking both safety and low taxes, the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, Chile, and Uruguay are the main options discussed. Dubai stands out as a very safe, low-tax base, while Singapore offers exceptional safety but harder immigration. Kuala Lumpur may be a more accessible Asian option, Qatar is highly safe but more conservative, and Chile and Uruguay are among the safer choices in South America.
For short stays in high-safety environments, Norway, Finland, Japan, and Iceland may be excellent options, but their high tax systems make them less attractive for long-term tax residence.
