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UPDATED: December 21, 2023 INSIDE THIS ARTICLE, YOU'LL FIND: |
With the scenes of unrest, sometimes violent, coming from many countries across Western Europe, many travelers are asking whether it’s safe to travel in Europe now. Between the conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine still raging, and various lone wolf incidents of terrorism to contend with, it’s a reasonable question. While Europe as a region is consistently amongst the least dangerous in the world, there are huge discrepancies in security between different countries, cities, and even neighborhoods that travelers should be aware of.
Regardless of one’s destination, visiting an unfamiliar environment leaves travelers vulnerable to risks not encountered at home. These risks are compounded by language barriers, unknown customs, unfamiliar spaces, and criminals or opportunists who prey on the vulnerability of travelers.
With all this in mind, it’s important to have a reasonable understanding of Europe’s overall safety, and how any risks that do exist can affect your travel there.
Yes. Overall, traveling in Europe won’t pose many threats to the individual traveler. But part of the onus is on you to stay informed regarding evolving threats. To safely travel to Europe, all travelers should keep an eye out for the following:
The conflict in the Gaza Strip and Israel significantly heightened protest activities and sporadic political violence across Europe. Notably, there were demonstrations in over 350 distinct locations in Europe during the month of October 2023. In Germany and France, there were instances where demonstrators flouted outright bans on pro-Palestine protests, prompting police interventions at numerous events. Subsequently, France's highest administrative court overturned the ban, although some restrictions persist in Germany.
Particularly in Germany, and most notably in Berlin, some pro-Palestine demonstrations escalated into violence. On 18 October, prolonged clashes with the police in Berlin resulted in the detention of at least 174 individuals. That same night, an attack on a synagogue in Berlin involved the use of Molotov cocktails, though the assailants remained unidentified. There were also significant confrontations between pro-Palestine protesters and police near a pro-Israel event in Amsterdam on 15 October and close to the Israeli embassy in Athens on 18 October. Some of the major protests have resulted in clashes between protest groups — the protest in London on 11 November (Armistice Day) resulted in over 90 arrests. Protests have and will continue to cause significant travel and security disruptions as they block transportation hubs — either directly or indirectly — and provide targets for extremists.
As part of the same groundswell of socio-political energy, there has been a dramatic increase in the rates of hate crimes. In London, for example, ethno-religiously motivated crimes against Jewish people rose by more than 1,350% and those against Muslims by 140%. In Paris, Stars of David and anti-Semitic slogans were graffitied on buildings in a move reminiscent of the persecution of European Jews in the 1930s and ‘40s. In Lyon, a Jewish woman was stabbed and a Swastika painted on her door. More, and more dramatic, instances of hate crimes are likely in the coming months.
The Arab-Israeli conflict is a microcosm for political, religious, and other identity-related grievances and will continue to galvanize actors — both lone wolf terrorists and organized groups — to attack and intimidate other groups in their respective countries. Travel risks to Americans, and Jews specifically, have already increased in Europe. European cities crowded with tourists make attractive targets for violent non-state actors, from ISIS to right-wing extremists. Soft targets including demonstrations and holiday celebrations, provide an opportunity to inflict mass casualties and promote fear. Already, around a dozen airports, and several schools and tourist sites have been evacuated due to bomb threats.
The rise in lone-wolf attacks has also heightened security concerns, with European authorities linking these incidents to broader developments in the Middle East. A particularly alarming instance occurred 13 October in Arras, France, where a former student originally from Russia's North Caucasus region fatally stabbed a teacher and injured three others. In a separate incident on 16 October in Brussels, a Tunisian individual fatally shot two Swedish soccer fans and injured a taxi driver. Both assailants declared their allegiance to the Islamic State.
What’s more, on 31 October, Parisian police neutralized a veiled woman who was issuing death threats at a train and metro station. These incidents have also prompted the introduction of more stringent border controls within the Schengen Area, which traditionally allows passport-free movement, reflecting a growing trend towards enhanced security measures in response to an uptick in terror activities.
While terrorist attacks are difficult to prepare for, keeping abreast of relevant developments can help tourists travel in Europe more safely.
Tourism is a major industry in Europe, and the beneficiaries are not limited to tour guides and hoteliers. Pickpockets, scammers, and thieves also cash in. There are roughly 5.7 million cases of burglary, robbery, and theft reported to European police annually — and those are just the cases that are reported.
There’s an expectation that people visiting some of Europe’s dense tourist areas, from Las Ramblas in Barcelona to the Colosseum in Rome, will have valuables such as cash or jewelry on them and will be distracted by the sights or their family members — making them excellent targets for pickpocketing or theft. While outright attacks are unlikely, a thief might try to (or inadvertently) incapacitate you — and regardless, losing your wallet or passport can turn your trip into a nightmare.
Travelers should also be on the lookout for common scams across Europe, including:
Europe is a large place with hundreds of attractive tourist destinations. We can’t put down a blanket statement and say all of Europe is safe for travel now: Some areas, you need to exercise more caution, or avoid entirely.
There are a number of European cities that receive a disproportionate number of visitors and merit specific attention regarding safety.
Below are the top five most-visited cities in Europe and the areas to watch out for when visiting them. It is important to note that in all these cities, tourists are rarely targeted for violent crime. The most common crimes that tourists fall victim to are petty theft or other opportunistic crimes in major tourist areas, public transport, or crowded areas like public transportation hubs and markets.
Global Guardian strongly advises our clients, particularly American travelers, to exercise heightened caution and consider avoiding travel to certain European countries altogether. These recommendations are based on a thorough assessment of current geopolitical and security situations. Among the countries identified, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus are of particular concern due to ongoing political tensions and potential security risks and should be avoided.
In addition to these Eastern European nations, caution is also advised when considering travel to eastern Moldova and southern Turkey. These regions may pose specific challenges, ranging from political instability to localized security issues. It is essential for travelers to stay informed about the latest developments, adhere to any travel advisories issued by relevant authorities, and consider alternative destinations if possible.
Ultimately, travel to Europe can be as safe as you make it. If you know what to look for, where to avoid, what to do in certain situations, pay attention to the news, and have a plan in place for untoward events, you can insulate yourself from the vast majority of travel risks. But if you are apprehensive, having trouble figuring out where to start your preparations, or would like specific advice and recommendations, travel security firms can be a powerful resource. From stolen passports to terrorist attacks, firms of this nature also have the capability to assist you in real-time for almost any issue that may arise.
The Global Guardian team is standing by to support your security and medical requirements when traveling to and staying in Europe, including:
To learn more about our pre-trip and crisis response services, complete the form below or call us at + 1 (703) 566-9463.