Why the U.S. Updated Its Travel 'Warning' to Germany
Germany is a popular travel destination for U.S. tourists, who may consider the European country safe. However, the United States Department of State has upgraded its travel "warning" to that country.
Why?
On May 13, 2025, the State Department reissued its longstanding travel advisory about Germany with updates. The advisory urges U.S. tourists to exercise "increased caution" when traveling to Germany.
The reason? Terrorism, the advisory says.
"Terrorist groups and lone actors remain a constant threat in Germany and Europe, attacking people in public locations with knives, small arms, rudimentary explosive devices, and vehicles," the advisory says, warning tourists that terrorism attacks can occur in Germany "with little or no warning" and target tourist locations, transportation centers, and other places tourists often go.
The U.S. government is not alone in being concerned about the risk to tourists in Germany. The United Kingdom also issued advice for its citizens about traveling to Germany.
"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times," that advisory says.
The UK travel alert lists these attacks in Germany:
- In 2024, three people were killed in a Solingen "knife attack."
- In 2021, five people "were stabbed and injured on a train in Neumarkt, Bavaria."
- In 2020, one person was killed "in a knife attack in Dresden." That same year, eight people were killed in two "mass shootings in shisha bars in Hanau."
- In 2019, two people "were shot and killed after a failed attempt to enter a synagogue in the eastern German city of Halle."
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