European vacation home burglary risk (July 2026)

Security experts in the Netherlands, Belgium and France continue to warn that homes left looking empty during holidays attract burglars. Earlier guidance stressed timed lighting, smart blinds, locked doors and windows, avoiding social‑media posts that reveal an absence, neighbour checks, mail collection and concealing valuables. Dutch authorities also highlighted a new tactic involving white powder on door handles and advised keeping waste containers and ladders away from entry points.

In July 2026 a Dutch summer‑leisure guide featured security expert Sebastiaan Scholte, who reiterated the core advice and added that vacationers should hide travel plans online, manage visible signs of occupancy, and secure external items such as containers. The guidance aligns with French recommendations to keep shutters open at night and use alarms, and with the broader European effort to simulate occupancy and reduce holiday‑time break‑ins.

Interior‑minister statistics show 218,000 homes were burglarised or targeted in 2024, a slight decline from 2025, with most intrusions occurring through front doors. The coordinated advice across the three countries remains focused on deterring burglars during holiday periods.