Reviewed: 25 October 2013, 11:02 NZDT
Still current at: 21 November 2024

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.

Do not travel

Destinations in Europe where we advise against all travel.

Armenia

Do not travel within 5km of the border with Azerbaijan or to the Nagorno-Karabakh region due to the risk of armed conflict (level 4 of 4).

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 Leposavić, Zubin Potok and Zvečan due to ethnic tensions, politically-motivated violence and civil unrest (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).

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).

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).

Moldova

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Moldova due to the volatile security environment and military conflict in neighbouring Ukraine (level 2 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.

Spain