Planning to visit or live in Europe as a Muslim? This comprehensive guide ranks European countries by Muslim-friendliness, covering halal food availability, mosque access, safety, and overall welcoming attitude toward Muslim visitors and residents.
Quick Ranking: Most Muslim-Friendly European Countries
| Rank | Country | Muslim-Friendly Score | Halal Food | Mosques | Safety | Attitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bosnia | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Many | High | Excellent |
| 2 | Turkey | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Everywhere | High | Excellent |
| 3 | Albania | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Many | High | Excellent |
| 4 | United Kingdom | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Many | High | Good |
| 5 | Spain | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good | Growing | High | Good |
| 6 | Portugal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate | Some | Very High | Excellent |
| 7 | Germany | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good | Many | High | Good |
| 8 | Netherlands | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good | Many | High | Good |
| 9 | France | ⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | Many | Medium | Mixed |
| 10 | Italy | ⭐⭐⭐ | Moderate | Some | High | Good |
Tier 1: Muslim-Majority European Countries
1. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Most Muslim-Friendly in Europe
Bosnia is the heart of European Islam, with centuries of Ottoman heritage visible in stunning mosques, traditional architecture, and a Muslim-majority population.
Why Bosnia is #1:
- 51% Muslim population - Islam is mainstream, not minority
- Halal food everywhere - No need to search, it’s the default
- Historic mosques - Beautiful Ottoman-era architecture
- Affordable - Very budget-friendly
- Welcoming people - Warm Balkan hospitality
- Safe - Low crime rates
- Islamic heritage - 500+ years of Muslim history
Key Destinations:
- Sarajevo - “Jerusalem of Europe,” stunning mosques, vibrant Muslim life
- Mostar - Iconic bridge, Ottoman old town
- Travnik - Former Ottoman capital
Halal Food: Available everywhere. Traditional Bosnian cuisine is halal-friendly (cevapi, burek, dolma).
Mosques: Over 1,000 active mosques including the famous Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (1532).
2. Turkey - 99% Muslim, European Gateway
Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, offering complete Muslim-friendly infrastructure with rich history and stunning landscapes.
Why Turkey excels:
- 99% Muslim - Everything is halal by default
- World-class mosques - Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, countless others
- Excellent halal food - Turkish cuisine is entirely halal
- Rich Islamic history - Ottoman Empire heritage
- Modern infrastructure - Good transport, healthcare
- Affordable - Great value for money
- Tourist-friendly - Established tourism industry
Key Destinations:
- Istanbul - One of world’s greatest cities
- Cappadocia - Unique landscapes
- Antalya - Mediterranean beaches
Note: Turkey is partially in Europe (Istanbul spans both continents). If you only count EU countries, see rankings below.
3. Albania - Europe’s Most Welcoming Muslim Country
Albania surprises many visitors with its Muslim majority, incredible hospitality, and beautiful Mediterranean coastline.
Why Albania ranks high:
- 58% Muslim population - Second-highest in Europe
- Extremely welcoming - Famous Albanian hospitality
- Very affordable - Among Europe’s cheapest
- Beautiful coastline - Albanian Riviera
- Safe - Low crime, friendly locals
- Unique culture - Mix of Ottoman and Mediterranean
Key Destinations:
- Tirana - Vibrant capital
- Berat - “City of a Thousand Windows”
- Saranda - Coastal paradise
Halal Food: Widely available, especially traditional Albanian dishes.
Tier 2: Western European Countries with Strong Muslim Infrastructure
4. United Kingdom - Best Muslim Infrastructure in Western Europe
The UK has Europe’s most developed Muslim community outside Muslim-majority countries, with exceptional halal food scene and established mosques.
Why UK ranks high:
- 4+ million Muslims - Large, established community
- Thousands of halal restaurants - London alone has 3,000+
- 1,500+ mosques - Including London Central Mosque
- Muslim-friendly laws - No hijab restrictions
- English language - Easy communication
- Diverse cities - London, Birmingham, Manchester
Best Cities for Muslims:
- London - Massive halal scene, East London especially
- Birmingham - Large Muslim population, great halal food
- Bradford - One of UK’s most Muslim cities
- Manchester - Growing Muslim community
Halal Food Highlights:
- Borough Market - Halal options available
- Brick Lane - Curry Mile
- Edgware Road - Middle Eastern hub
- Is KFC halal in UK? - Some locations are
Considerations: Some areas have experienced Islamophobic incidents, but overall UK is welcoming.
5. Spain - Islamic Heritage Meets Modern Welcome
Spain’s Andalusian Islamic heritage creates a unique connection with Muslim visitors, and the country is increasingly Muslim-friendly.
Why Spain appeals:
- Islamic heritage - Alhambra, Cordoba Mosque, 800 years of Muslim rule
- Growing halal scene - Especially in cities
- Very safe - Low crime rates
- Welcoming people - Spanish hospitality
- Beautiful destinations - Beaches, cities, mountains
- Affordable - Compared to Northern Europe
Key Destinations:
- Granada - Alhambra, active Muslim community
- Cordoba - Mezquita, Islamic history
- Barcelona - Cosmopolitan, halal options
- Madrid - Growing halal scene
Halal Food: Growing availability in major cities. Granada and Cordoba have good options.
6. Portugal - Europe’s Friendliest Country
Portugal consistently ranks as Europe’s friendliest and safest country, making it excellent for Muslim travelers despite smaller Muslim population.
Why Portugal works:
- Extremely welcoming - Famous Portuguese hospitality
- Very safe - Among Europe’s safest
- No Islamophobia history - Generally tolerant society
- Beautiful country - Beaches, cities, history
- Affordable - Good value for Western Europe
- Growing halal options - Lisbon improving
Key Destinations:
- Lisbon - Capital, some halal restaurants
- Porto - Northern city, emerging options
- Algarve - Beaches, limited halal
Halal Food: More limited than UK/France but growing. Lisbon has best options. Seafood is widely available.
7. Germany - Large Muslim Community
Germany’s 5 million Muslims have created substantial infrastructure, though experiences vary by region.
Why Germany works:
- 5 million Muslims - Third-largest in Western Europe
- Many mosques - Including large purpose-built ones
- Good halal food - Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurants everywhere
- Efficient country - Good infrastructure
- Central location - Easy European travel
Best Cities:
- Berlin - Most diverse, liberal, good halal
- Cologne - Large Turkish community
- Frankfurt - Diverse, halal options
- Munich - More limited options
Halal Food: Turkish restaurants abundant. Döner kebab shops everywhere. Look for halal butchers.
Considerations: Some eastern regions less welcoming. Major cities are best.
8. Netherlands - Tolerant and Diverse
The Netherlands has a tradition of tolerance and a significant Muslim community, particularly in major cities.
Why Netherlands works:
- 1 million Muslims - Established community
- Tolerant society - Historic diversity
- Good halal food - Amsterdam has many options
- English widely spoken - Easy communication
- Easy travel - Compact country
Key Destinations:
- Amsterdam - Best halal options, diverse
- Rotterdam - Large Muslim community
- The Hague - Some halal options
Halal Food: Good in major cities. Moroccan and Turkish restaurants common.
Tier 3: Other Notable European Countries
France - Complex but Excellent Halal Food
France has Europe’s largest Muslim population in the EU (5-6 million) and excellent halal food, but social tensions make it more complex.
Pros:
- Largest EU Muslim population
- Excellent halal food (Paris especially)
- Many mosques (2,500+)
- Rich Islamic art/culture (Louvre, Institut du Monde Arabe)
Cons:
- Niqab ban in public
- Some social tensions
- Secular laws can feel restrictive
Verdict: Excellent for food and culture, but be aware of the complex social environment.
Italy - Improving Muslim-Friendliness
Italy is becoming more Muslim-friendly, with growing halal options in major cities.
Key Points:
- Growing Muslim population (2.8 million)
- Halal food in Milan, Rome, Venice improving
- Historic connections to Islamic world (Sicily, Venice)
- Generally welcoming in tourist areas
Best for: Muslim tourists visiting famous sites. Florence, Rome, Venice have halal options.
Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark)
Scandinavian countries have small but established Muslim communities.
Sweden:
- 800,000+ Muslims
- Good halal food in Stockholm, Malmö
- Generally tolerant society
- Some political tensions around immigration
Norway:
- Smaller Muslim community
- Limited halal outside Oslo
- Expensive but welcoming
Denmark:
- Smaller Muslim community
- Copenhagen has halal options
- Some political tensions
Eastern Europe
Poland: Limited halal, small Muslim community but historically tolerant. Warsaw has some options.
Czech Republic: Prague has limited halal. Tourist-friendly but small Muslim community.
Hungary: Budapest has growing halal scene. Generally welcoming to tourists.
Romania: Small Muslim community, Bucharest has some options. Black Sea coast has Turkish influence.
Bulgaria: Historic Muslim minority, especially in south. Some halal availability.
Comparison Tables
Halal Food Availability
| Country | Halal Restaurants | Halal Supermarkets | Ease of Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Everywhere | Everywhere | Very Easy |
| Bosnia | Everywhere | Common | Very Easy |
| UK | 5,000+ | Many | Easy |
| France | 4,000+ | Many | Easy |
| Germany | 3,000+ | Many | Easy |
| Netherlands | 1,000+ | Some | Moderate |
| Spain | Growing | Limited | Moderate |
| Italy | Growing | Limited | Moderate |
| Portugal | Limited | Few | Challenging |
Safety for Muslims
| Country | Overall Safety | Islamophobia Risk | Hijab Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Very High | Very Low | High |
| Bosnia | High | None | Complete |
| Albania | High | None | Complete |
| Spain | High | Low | High |
| UK | High | Low-Medium | High |
| Italy | High | Low | High |
| Germany | High | Low-Medium | High |
| France | Medium-High | Medium | Moderate |
Mosque Availability
| Country | Number of Mosques | Historic Mosques | Prayer Room Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 85,000+ | Many | Everywhere |
| Bosnia | 1,000+ | Many | Common |
| France | 2,500+ | Few | Some |
| UK | 1,500+ | Some | Some |
| Germany | 2,500+ | Few | Some |
| Italy | 1,200+ | Few | Limited |
| Spain | 1,200+ | Historic (museums) | Limited |
Practical Tips for Muslim Travelers in Europe
Finding Halal Food
- Use apps: Zabihah, HalalTrip, HappyCow
- Look for Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurants - Usually halal
- Seafood is safe - Fish restaurants are reliable option
- Vegetarian options - When in doubt
- Ask locals - Muslim communities exist in all major cities
Finding Mosques
- Google Maps - Search “mosque” or “masjid”
- IslamicFinder app - Prayer times and mosque locations
- Local Islamic centers - Often have visitor information
- Hotel concierge - Can often help locate
Prayer Arrangements
- Many airports have prayer rooms
- Some shopping centers have quiet rooms
- Universities often have Muslim prayer spaces
- Hotels can sometimes provide prayer mats
Dress Code
- Hijab is legal and accepted everywhere
- Niqab restricted in France, Belgium (public spaces)
- Modest dress respected across Europe
- Beach destinations: modest swimwear increasingly available
Best Time to Visit
- Ramadan: Challenging in non-Muslim countries
- Summer: Best weather but crowded
- Spring/Autumn: Ideal for most destinations
- Winter: Good for city breaks, fewer tourists
Country-Specific Guides
For detailed halal food and travel information, see our country guides:
Muslim-Majority:
Western Europe:
Scandinavia:
Eastern Europe:
Summary
The most Muslim-friendly countries in Europe are:
- Bosnia - Muslim majority, halal everywhere, Islamic heritage
- Turkey - 99% Muslim, complete infrastructure
- Albania - Muslim majority, extremely welcoming
- UK - Best Western European infrastructure
- Spain - Islamic heritage, improving halal scene
For first-time Muslim travelers to Europe: Start with Bosnia, Turkey, or the UK for the easiest experience. Spain and Portugal offer excellent alternatives with beautiful destinations and welcoming attitudes.
Europe is increasingly Muslim-friendly. Major cities across the continent have halal restaurants, mosques, and established Muslim communities. With proper planning, Muslim travelers can enjoy all that Europe offers while maintaining their religious practices.