Security
There is an increased global risk of terrorism. No country is immune from a terrorist attack, and no person is immune from becoming a victim of an attack. Terrorists have little regard for civilian casualties and, in many cases, attacks are designed to maximise casualties.
Although New Zealand travellers are unlikely to be targeted deliberately, they are usually indistinguishable from any “Western” tourist, and frequent places where other Western tourists are found. This puts New Zealanders at the same risk as others.
Wherever you are, you should keep yourself informed about the latest alerts and stay aware of your surroundings in areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as shopping malls, markets, tourist sites, monuments, demonstrations and on any public transport.
Terrorist attacks have taken place in many major European cities and the region remains vulnerable to attacks from Islamic and other extremist groups.
In Russia, Moscow has experienced a number of bombings carried out by Chechen separatists. They have been responsible for a series of incidents in towns in southern Russia (the northern Caucasus) and particularly the province of Chechnya itself.
In Türkiye, Kurdish separatists have carried out attacks in Istanbul and other areas popular with tourists. Such attacks are likely to continue.
Avoid non-essential travel:
Exercise increased caution:
Reviewed:
Friday, October 25, 2013 - 11:02
Do not travel
Destinations in Europe where we advise against all travel.
Belarus
Do not travel to Belarus due to the volatile security situation caused by the Russian military action in neighbouring Ukraine and the conducting of military operations by Russian forces from Belarus (level 4 of 4). New Zealanders in Belarus should leave immediately if they judge it is safe to do so.
New Zealand’s ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders in Belarus is very limited. The security situation in Belarus could change at short notice and New Zealanders should not rely on support with evacuating in these circumstances.
Moldova
Do not travel to Transnistria due to the volatile security situation (as the region is not under the control of the Moldovan authorities) as well the military conflict in neighbouring Ukraine (level 4 of 4).
Russian Federation
Do not travel to Russia due to the impacts the armed conflict with Ukraine has had on commercial flight availability and access to financial services. There is also potential for the security situation to deteriorate with little warning (level 4 of 4).
Do not travel to Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachai-Cherkessia, Republic of North Ossetia and the south-east parts of Stavropol Krai in the North Caucasian Federal District (level 4 of 4). Terrorism, kidnapping and military activity in these areas presents a significant risk to security.
Türkiye
Do not travel within 10 kilometres of the border with Syria due to the threat of terrorism, kidnapping and the potential for violence associated with the ongoing conflict in Syria (level 4 of 4).
Ukraine
Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion and ongoing military aggression (level 4 of 4). There is a real risk to life.
New Zealanders currently in Ukraine are advised to depart as soon as it is safe to do so. The New Zealand Government is severely limited in its ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealand citizens in Ukraine.
Avoid non-essential travel
Destinations in Europe where we advise against tourist and other non-essential travel.
Kosovo
Avoid non-essential travel to North Mitrovica and the northern municipalities of Leposavic, Zubin Potok and Zvecan due to ethnic tensions, politically-motivated violence and civil unrest (level 3 of 4).
Moldova
Avoid non-essential travel elsewhere in Moldova due to the volatile security environment and military conflict in neighbouring Ukraine (level 3 of 4).
The New Zealand Government is limited in its ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealand citizens in Moldova, particularly in the Transnistria region.
Poland
Avoid non-essential travel to areas within 3km of the border with Belarus (level 3 of 4).
Türkiye
Avoid non-essential travel to the provinces of Hakkari and Sirnak in south-east Türkiye due to the unpredictable security situation and the threat of terrorism and kidnapping (level 3 of 4).
Exercise increased caution
Destinations in Europe where we advise caution.
Albania
Exercise increased caution in Albania due to the threat of crime (level 2 of 4).
Austria
We advise that New Zealanders exercise increased caution in Austria (level 2 of 4).
Belgium
Exercise increased caution in Belgium due to the ongoing threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Croatia
Exercise increased caution in Croatia (level 2 of 4).
Cyprus
Exercise increased caution in Cyprus (level 2 of 4).
Denmark
Exercise increased caution in Denmark due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Finland
Exercise increased caution in Finland (level 2 of 4).
France
Exercise increased caution in France due to the ongoing threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Germany
Exercise increased caution in Germany due to the ongoing threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Greece
Exercise increased caution in Greece due to the potential for civil unrest and an underlying threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Hungary
We advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in Hungary (level 2 of 4).
Ireland
We advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in Ireland (level 2 of 4).
Italy
Exercise increased caution in Italy (level 2 of 4).
Kosovo
Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Kosovo due to the potential for civil unrest (level 2 of 4).
Lithuania
Exercise increased caution in Lithuania (level 2 of 4).
Luxembourg
We advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in Luxembourg (level 2 of 4).
Norway
Exercise increased caution in Norway due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Poland
Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Poland (level 2 of 4).
Serbia
Exercise increased caution in Serbia (level 2 of 4).
Slovak Republic
We advise New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in the Slovak Republic (level 2 of 4).
Spain
Exercise increased caution in Spain due to the ongoing threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Sweden
Exercise increased caution in Sweden due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Switzerland
Exercise increased caution in Switzerland (level 2 of 4).
The Netherlands
Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).
Türkiye
Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Türkiye, including in Ankara and Istanbul, due to the heightened threat of terrorism and the possibility of demonstrations (level 2 of 4).
United Kingdom
Exercise increased caution (level 2 of 4) in the United Kingdom due to the threat of terrorism and crime.