It depends for whom and about what.
If you "offend" politicians in Europe it can get unpleasant for citizens right now. No gulag yet, but unpleasant.
If you are a visa holder in the US , and criticize the wrong middle eastern country you get deported....
I've said plenty of unfriendly things about our current and former prime ministers, including demanding that Balkenende be trialed for crimes against humanity. Never caused any issues. At least in The Netherlands you're fine unless you make death threats (which the First Amendment doesn't protect either). In Malta on the other extreme, journalists have been murdered. Very diverse continent :-)
