U.S. Department of State Safety Ratings vs. City-Level Expat Reality

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Published 2026-10-07 • News

U.S. Department of State Safety Ratings vs. City-Level Expat Reality

Tracking the latest State Department Travel Advisory levels (Levels 1–4) alongside neighborhood-level safety scores across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Every country profile in our database tracks the official U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level (from Level 1 to Level 4) alongside our granular 0–100 Hub Safety Score and Solo Night Safety Score. Here is how the latest federal advisory ratings compare with on-the-ground city data:

🟢 Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions (Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam):
Countries at Level 1 hold the State Department's safest baseline tier. On the city level, hubs like Lisbon (79/100 Safety), Chiang Mai (78/100 Safety), and Da Nang (77/100 Safety) consistently report low violent crime, with minor petty theft in tourist districts as the primary concern.

🟡 Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution (Spain, Italy, Mexico, Morocco):
Most of Western Europe—including Madrid (78/100 Safety) and Rome—sits at Level 2 due to standard urban pickpocketing and regional demonstration alerts. Mexico is assessed on a state-by-state basis with an overall Level 2 baseline, where hubs like Mérida and central Mexico City maintain dramatically different safety profiles than border regions.

🟠 Level 3 — Reconsider Travel (Colombia):
While Colombia carries a nationwide Level 3 advisory driven by rural and border security alerts, expat hubs like Medellín require neighborhood-specific awareness—reflected in our Crime Profile Vibe and Night Solo Safety breakdown inside each hub dossier.

Related Destinations:

🌍 Portugal →🌍 Thailand →🌍 Vietnam →🌍 Spain →🌍 Italy →🌍 Mexico →🌍 Colombia →🌍 Morocco →📍 Lisbon →📍 Chiang Mai →📍 Da Nang →📍 Madrid →📍 Rome →📍 Merida →📍 Mexico City →📍 Medellín →

🛡️

The Voyterra Travel Team Research & Editorial

Technical Glossary

Clear definitions for international tax, residency, and relocation terminology.

U.S. Tax Treaty

A bilateral agreement between the United States and a foreign country designed to prevent double taxation of income and clarify taxing rights for residents.

FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion)

A U.S. tax provision (Section 911) allowing qualified citizens living abroad to exclude a certain amount of their foreign-earned income from U.S. federal income tax.

Capital Controls

Government-imposed restrictions on the movement of foreign currency and capital inflows/outflows to stabilize a nation's currency or financial system.

Wealth Tax

A recurring levy imposed on an individual's net wealth (assets minus liabilities) exceeding a certain threshold, rather than just on their annual income.

Exit Tax

A tax levied on individuals who renounce their citizenship or surrender their permanent residency status, assessed on the unrealized capital gains of their global assets.

Digital Nomad Visa

A temporary residence permit allowing remote workers to legally live in a country while earning income from employers or clients located outside that country.

Golden Visa

An investment-based immigration program offering residency or citizenship in exchange for significant local capital investments (e.g., real estate or government bonds).

Double Taxation

The levying of tax by two or more jurisdictions on the same income or asset (for example, U.S. citizens are taxed on worldwide income, regardless of where they live).

Driving License Reciprocity

An agreement between jurisdictions allowing holders of a driver's license from one country/state to exchange it for a local license without taking a full driving test.

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)

A U.S. federal law requiring foreign financial institutions to report assets held by U.S. taxpayers to the IRS, often leading to banking restrictions for expats.

Permanent Residency (PR)

A status granting a foreign national the right to reside permanently in a country without citizenship, often requiring local physical presence or renewal terms.

VOYTERRA TRAVEL

Explore Global Destinations

Our Mission

What You Can Do Here

Keeping Our Data Accurate (And How You Can Help)

Voyterra Travel Dispatch

U.S. Department of State Safety Ratings vs. City-Level Expat Reality

Technical Glossary

U.S. Tax Treaty

FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion)

Capital Controls

Wealth Tax

Exit Tax

Digital Nomad Visa

Golden Visa

Double Taxation

Driving License Reciprocity

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)

Permanent Residency (PR)

Compare Hubs

Explore Global Destinations

Our Mission

What You Can Do Here

Keeping Our Data Accurate (And How You Can Help)

Voyterra Travel Dispatch

Get the Free 2026 Relocation Starter Checklist (PDF)

U.S. Department of State Safety Ratings vs. City-Level Expat Reality

Technical Glossary

U.S. Tax Treaty

FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion)

Capital Controls

Wealth Tax

Exit Tax

Digital Nomad Visa

Golden Visa

Double Taxation

Driving License Reciprocity

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)

Permanent Residency (PR)

Compare Hubs