Travel warnings: Be careful of five Mediterranean countries!

Travel warnings: Be careful of five Mediterranean countries!

On May 21, 2025, the Federal Foreign Office published important travel advice that affects travelers in five countries on the Mediterranean. Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Libya in particular are the focus of travel warnings. These warnings are crucial for the safety of German citizens abroad and are intended to serve as orientation.

A travel warning is an urgent appeal not to travel to the affected country or area. Partial travel warnings, on the other hand, refer to specific regions within a country and provide information about potential risks without directly advising against travel. These safety tips may encourage travelers to reconsider their plans or research local conditions before traveling.

Travel advice for countries at risk

A partial travel warning applies to Egypt, which particularly affects the north of the Sinai Peninsula and the Egyptian-Israeli border area, with the exception of the popular holiday resort of Taba. Travelers should be aware that there is a risk of terrorist activities and military operations. We also strongly advise that you only undertake individual excursions and overland trips in Sharm el-Sheikh with professional support. Poorly marked minefields also pose a serious risk.

In Israel, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and the north of the country (north of Road 85) are affected by a partial travel warning. There is an increased risk of violent clashes and military operations here.

In Lebanon there are warnings against traveling to the south of the country, the Bekaa Valley and areas bordering Syria. The Palestinian refugee camps and southern suburbs of Beirut in particular are considered particularly vulnerable due to the risk of armed clashes and kidnappings.

Syria and Libya are classified under general travel warnings. There is ongoing armed conflict in both countries and the terrorist threat is high. In addition, consular support from German missions abroad is limited.

Travel advice for Turkey and Cyprus

Turkey is not receiving a general travel warning, but travelers should exercise increased caution in certain regions, particularly in the southeastern provinces near the Syrian border. In larger cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, it is advised to avoid crowds.

Cyprus is de facto divided into two parts: the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus in the south and the self-proclaimed “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” in the north. Travelers should be aware that entering the northern part via unauthorized border crossings can have legal consequences.

Safe travel destinations on the MediterraneanHowever, Greece, Spain, Italy, France and Croatia are currently considered safer, but travelers are still advised to find out about current entry and customs regulations before traveling and to take out adequate insurance cover.

The general security situation in many regions remains tense, particularly in view of the global threat of terrorist attacks and kidnappings. The Foreign Office explains that the mobilization potential of terrorist organizations such as “Al Qaeda” and the “Islamic State” is high. Travelers are recommended to regularly inform themselves about the security situation in their travel country and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the local security authorities.