Safety in Palau: Everything You Need to Know for a Truly Peaceful Expatriation

Published on March 22, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

The idea of settling in Palau is a dream: turquoise lagoons, pristine reefs, an “end-of-the-world” feel. But beyond the postcard scenes, a question quickly arises for any potential expatriate: is it truly safe to live there day-to-day, and under what conditions?

An objectively safe country, but not without risks

Most international indicators place Palau in the low-risk destination category. The American, British, Canadian, and Australian governments rank the country at their lowest advisory level (equivalent to “exercise normal precautions”). The Safety Index reaches 80, a score comparable to reputedly peaceful countries like Switzerland (89) or Poland (84) and significantly higher than states like Russia (34) or North Korea (21).

Nonetheless, living in Palau doesn’t mean living in a sterile bubble. Authorities emphasize a simple reality: street crime is low, but the constraints of an isolated archipelago, climate vulnerability, the limits of the healthcare system, and certain specific risks (unexploded ordnance, sometimes dangerous seas) require structured and permanent caution.

Crime: an overall peaceful environment

Official figures and assessments paint a very reassuring picture of the security situation.

The United States assesses Koror – the main urban, economic, and tourist center – as a “low-threat” area for official interests, both in terms of crime, terrorism, or political violence. No mention of crime or kidnapping indicators appears in travel advisories, which is significant: when a problem is recurrent, these indicators are added very visibly.

For expatriates, the nuance is important: they are not specifically targeted compared to locals, but their perceived status as “wealthy individuals” can make them more attractive to opportunistic thieves. In practice, a wallet left alone on a bar table or a bag forgotten in a hotel lobby are more likely to disappear here than in a small European town, simply because the temptation is stronger in an environment where average incomes hover around $700 to $1,200 net per month.

Perception of crime figures

Even if this data is based on a small sample of respondents, it gives an idea of the security atmosphere:

The weight of narcotics (notably methamphetamine) is starting to worry authorities, with at least one murder linked to methamphetamine trafficking in 2024 and foreign networks involved. This reality affects the judicial background more than the daily life of most expatriates, but it explains the growing strength of specialized structures like the Narcotics Enforcement Agency and the attention paid to financial transfers or cybercrime.

Legislation and law enforcement: a strict, sometimes slow framework

Security in Palau also relies on very strict legislation and a well-framed security apparatus, even if its material resources remain limited.

Law enforcement falls under the Bureau of Public Safety, which oversees the Division of Maritime Security and reports to the Ministry of Justice. Civil authorities effectively control security forces, and abuses are reported as rare. The flip side is a lack of personnel, vehicles, radios, and equipment, which limits their capacity for rapid response, especially outside Koror.

In case of arrest, foreigners – including expatriates – are generally treated correctly and in the same manner as locals. For American, British, or other nationals with representation, embassies can only ensure that fundamental rights are respected and provide a list of local lawyers, without intervening in the substance of proceedings.

Weapons, drugs, e-cigarettes: near-zero tolerance

The possession of any firearm or ammunition is strictly prohibited, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison. Even empty shell casings are considered ammunition. Importing a sports pistol “by mistake” in luggage is one of the most consequential errors possible for an expatriate arriving from a more permissive country.

Legislation on narcotics is just as severe: possession of small quantities can result in significant fines or imprisonment. For a foreigner, a conviction can additionally lead to deportation and a ban from the territory.

Finally, alcohol is regulated: the legal drinking age is 21, and drinking in public is prohibited outside licensed establishments.

Curfews, and individual responsibility

Several states – notably Koror, Airai, and Ngarchelong – can impose community curfews, typically from midnight to 5 a.m., sometimes slightly later on weekends and holidays. Police can enforce them, but they are primarily an expression of traditional authority.

For an expatriate, these rules don’t have a massive impact on daily life, but it is advisable to remain discreet if moving around late, and above all to avoid starting very boozy parties outdoors: drunk driving is a frequent cause of fatal accidents, and checkpoints exist.

Individual responsibility remains the key: one is fully subject to local laws, and ignorance is not an excuse. Some offenses (drugs, corruption, sexual exploitation) can even be prosecuted by both Palauan justice and that of the home country.

Transport and traffic risks: caution on the road

Road safety is an important point of vigilance. There are few cars compared to a large Western city, and there are no traffic lights in the country, which might suggest “quiet” driving. In reality, Palau combines several risk factors: sometimes degraded roads, unpredictable behavior by some drivers, high alcohol consumption on evenings and weekends, and a mix of vehicles designed for left-hand driving (imported from Japan) and driving on the right.

In practice, expatriates are strongly encouraged to avoid driving at night, especially outside main roads, where the absence of public lighting, the presence of stray animals, and the uncertain behavior of other users increase the risk of accident. A serious accident can quickly turn into a tragedy, given the limited intervention means outside Koror.

Natural hazards: climate, sea, and unexploded ordnance

Palau is classified as “low overall risk” in the INFORM index (2.5/10), but this score masks a complex reality specific to small island states: strong climate exposure, limited absorption capacity, and dependence on a single major hospital infrastructure.

The most concerning phenomena are not tsunamis – considered low risk – but the expected increase in powerful typhoons, droughts, and tropical storms with heavy rains. Over the last forty years, the country has withstood several major episodes, including Typhoons Bopha (2012) and Haiyan (2013), as well as a severe drought in 2016.

The rainy and strong wind season generally extends from July to October, with an increased risk of flooded roads, landslides, rough seas, and communication disruptions. Floods can damage land routes, complicate access to care, and block some villages.

Conversely, the dry season – generally from January to March – sees the quality and availability of drinking water decrease, sometimes forcing restrictions.

World War II explosives: a discreet but real danger

A very particular risk in Palau is the persistent presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) dating from World War II. The island of Peleliu, the scene of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific, still concentrates most of the remains of shells, bombs, grenades, and other explosive devices, but they can theoretically be encountered on other islands and even underwater.

Divers and hikers must incorporate this security dimension into their practice. It’s not about panicking – accidents remain very rare – but about knowing that the main terrestrial threat, on some islands, is not crime, but the legacy of war.

Sea, currents, and crocodiles

Postcard beaches are not always natural swimming pools. Lagoons can experience powerful currents, rapid tide changes, and dangerous rip currents. The almost total absence of lifeguards and rescue services sometimes below Western standards requires great vigilance, especially with children or inexperienced swimmers. Drownings are reported each year.

Finally, a last risk, very marginal but real, comes from saltwater crocodiles present in certain mangrove or lagoon areas. Attacks remain extremely rare, but authorities remind people to seek local advice before swimming or diving in isolated sites.

Healthcare: an accessible but limited system, anticipate evacuation

For an expatriate, security is not just the absence of delinquency or terrorism; the quality of medical care in case of a serious accident or illness weighs at least as heavily in the choice of a country.

Palau has a structured but modest healthcare system, marked by a single national hospital, the Belau National Hospital in Koror, and a network of ten community health centers spread across the archipelago. The hospital is estimated to have about 120 beds, with around forty doctors and a little over 20 doctors and nurses in the private sector. Various public programs (maternal and child health, breast and cervical cancer screening, mental health, addictions) complement the offering.

Basic coverage is universal for citizens and legal residents, through a mix of public funds, medical savings accounts, and national insurance for hospitalizations. For an expatriate, access to emergency care is assured, but the key question remains that of specialization.

An “under-medicalized” country for serious cases

On paper, services for general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, radiology, or laboratory work are available. In practice, most advanced specialties – interventional cardiology, heavy oncology, complex orthopedics, neurosurgery – are very limited, if not nonexistent on site.

For the expatriate, there are two major consequences:

– It is unrealistic to count on the country for the complete management of a complex chronic illness or a very serious accident;

– Insurance including medical evacuation to Guam, Manila or another regional center is practically essential.

Network, capacities, and improvement

Nevertheless, the country has heavily invested in its healthcare system, with approximately 16.6% of GDP devoted to health in 2021, projects to renovate the national hospital ($7 million), modernize community centers, and develop telemedicine supported by the SEA-US submarine cable and the growing domestic fiber optic network.

Partnerships with foreign institutions (Taiwanese hospitals, Guam Cancer Care, Shriners Children Hospital, Tripler Army Medical Center) allow for organizing specialized consultations, surgical missions, and remote follow-ups. The overall logic is clear: strengthen primary care and prevention, while outsourcing ultra-specialized care.

For a healthy expatriate, this model offers an acceptable safety net, provided one is equipped with good insurance. For an elderly person or someone with a serious medical history, it requires serious thought about one’s ability to accept distant care and a certain administrative slowness in case of a problem.

Cost of living and financial security: anticipate to avoid trouble

The security of an expatriation also depends on the solidity of one’s financial setup. Now, while Palau is significantly cheaper than the United States (average cost of living 53% lower), it remains slightly above the world average (+3%), with modest salaries and a heavy dependence on imports.

Aggregated data provides a fairly accurate overview:

The main challenge is immediately apparent: the average local salary barely covers a little over half of standard monthly expenses. Without partial coverage of housing, transport, or food by the employer – which happens in some contracts – the equation can be tight.

The following ranges are regularly mentioned:

To limit the risk of financial stress – often the source of hasty decisions or imprudent behavior (undeclared work, conflicts with the employer, etc.) – the ideal is to arrive with a solid project: a qualified position in hospitality, diving, education, or international cooperation, or remote income (freelancing, telework) allowing one to benefit from the cost-of-living differential.

Housing: material security and scarcity of supply

Domestic security largely depends on housing. In Palau, two challenges intersect: the low availability of long-term housing, especially in Koror, and the relatively high cost of rent, driven by niche tourism and imported building materials.

Figures vary by source, but trends emerge:

– A studio in the city is often between $400 and $700 per month;

– A one-bedroom apartment in the city is typically between $600 and $1,000;

– Outside the center, rents are a bit lower: $300 to $500 for a studio, $500 to $800 for a one-bedroom;

– For larger accommodations (two or three bedrooms), amounts rise quickly, up to $1,500–$3,000 in the most comfortable neighborhoods or buildings.

For an expatriate, several channels coexist for finding housing: medium/long-term rental platforms, Airbnb (increasingly used for monthly stays), local networks via Facebook, word-of-mouth within the small foreign community, or coliving structures aimed at remote workers.

In terms of physical security, burglaries exist but remain infrequent. Basic recommendations are to avoid leaving valuable objects visible from the street, to systematically lock doors and windows, and to prefer buildings or houses known in the community. The absence of “sensitive” neighborhoods does not exempt one from these reflexes, especially during prolonged absences.

Telecommunications and cyber-security: a link to monitor

The digital dimension of security has become essential for expatriates who work remotely or manage their finances online.

Until 2017, the archipelago depended entirely on satellites for its internet access, with low speeds and very high costs ($50 for 1 GB is mentioned before the cable arrival). Since the activation of the SEA-US submarine cable (Palau Cable 1) and the preparation of a second cable (Palau Cable 2), the situation has greatly improved.

A vulnerability point remains: cable outages. In 2023, a major cut linked to emergency repairs led the national operator PNCC to reserve international access for essential services only for nearly a week. To mitigate this risk, a dual-beam satellite redundancy solution (C-band and Ku-band) with SD-WAN was implemented, providing a backup path in case of cable break.

Banks have reacted by strengthening protections (anti-tamper sensors, shields to protect PIN entry), but authorities clearly recommend:

– Physically check ATMs before use and avoid those of lesser-known small banks;

– Do not depend on a single card for all needs;

– Use reputable VPNs as much as possible to connect to banking services;

– Beware of fraudulent emails or messages, especially since the country is perceived as a relatively opaque financial center.

For a remote worker, Palauan internet allows for work, but outages and speed variations must be integrated into the continuity plan (local backups, offline mode, backup solutions).

Administrative framework and immigration: the security of legal status

The serenity of an expatriation also relies on a stable legal status. In Palau, the entry regime is rather flexible for temporary stays: most visitors get a 30-day visa on arrival, extendable twice up to a maximum of 90 consecutive days, provided they can prove sufficient resources (about $200 per week) and have a passport valid for at least six months.

The procedure for working legally is more burdensome. It takes place in several steps, primarily the responsibility of the local employer: demonstrating that no Palauan candidate is available (publishing the job offer for 30 days), filing a work permit application (usually valid for one year), and sponsoring the candidate. The permit is tied to the employer: changing jobs means restarting most of the procedure. In some cases, restrictions may even apply for working for another employer after the contract ends, sometimes for several years.

Social life, culture, and integration: security through connection

Another pillar of security in Palau lies in the country’s social structure. Palauan society is strongly communal, with a traditional matrilineal system, male and female chiefs, and a high value placed on respect for elders and collective harmony.

For an expatriate, this generally means a warm welcome, few visible tensions, an absence of political violence, and relatively simple relationships as long as one remains humble and respectful of customs. Mixed romantic relationships are common, especially among young people in town, and marriages with foreigners are generally accepted.

The basic gestures for secure integration involve:

– Learning a few words of Palauan (Alii for hello, Mesulang for thank you);

– Systematically greeting people when entering a room or joining a group;

– Adopting modest attire in villages, churches, traditional houses (shoulders and knees covered);

– Removing shoes when entering someone’s home or a bai (traditional meeting house);

– Asking for permission before photographing people or sacred sites.

This respectful attitude not only reduces the risk of tensions but strengthens the network of mutual assistance which, in a small, isolated country, is one of the best guarantees of day-to-day security.

Specific risks related to leisure and tourism

Even if an expatriate isn’t a tourist full-time, they often enjoy the same activities: diving, hiking, boat trips, visits to remote islands. However, it’s often during these leisure moments that accidents happen.

Dive and tourism operators are officially subject to rules and controls, but authorities acknowledge that standards can vary and one should not assume a level identical to that of the best European or Australian centers. Practical advice focuses on a few points:

On beaches and in lagoons, the absence of supervision, the presence of currents or sand holes can turn an ordinary swim into a dangerous situation. The advice of locals or guides on safe areas, weather, and tides should always be sought.

Finally, the great mildness of the climate and the “paradise island” vibe sometimes encourage letting one’s guard down regarding the sun, dehydration, and physical conditions: yet, the majority of tourist deaths in this type of country often stem from such incidents rather than crime.

A serene expatriation in Palau: who is the country really suitable for?

By cross-referencing all these dimensions – low crime, strict laws, moderate but structuring natural risks, limited healthcare, cost of living and narrow labor market – Palau appears as a safe but niche expatriation destination.

The country is particularly suitable for certain categories of profiles:

Conversely, expatriation to Palau is less suitable for:

– Individuals dependent on specialized care or an advanced hospital infrastructure;

– Those seeking dense urban life, a rich cultural offering, and frequent air connections;

– Large families without financial support from an employer, given the cost of housing, international education, and airfare;

– Profiles with fragile administrative status or seeking low-skilled jobs: the market is very restricted, and undeclared work is particularly risky in such a small country.

In summary: one of the safest countries… provided you are prepared

On most classic security criteria, Palau ticks almost all the positive boxes: very little violent crime, welcoming population, political stability, absence of terrorism, strong social cohesion. The major risks lie elsewhere: in nature (ocean, climate, old munitions), in the limits of the healthcare system, and in the geographical isolation that complicates any serious unforeseen event.

To succeed in a serene expatriation, therefore, it is not enough to look at crime statistics. One must: prepare the project in advance, inform oneself about local culture, establish a realistic budget, and anticipate administrative procedures.

At this price, Palau offers what few countries can still offer: a life in an exceptional marine environment, in an objectively safe country, where one feels more exposed to the forces of nature than to human violence. For those who accept this equation, the promise of a peaceful expatriation is not illusory.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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