Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
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The U.S. State Department warns U.S. citizens traveling to Italy to be vigilant for terrorist attacks in a reissued travel advisory for the country. However, it’s worth noting that the travel advisory level for Italy has been consistent for several years.
The current State Department travel advisory is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The advisory specifically calls out elevated risk for terrorism and advises that attacks could take place in a number of public areas. The advisory suggests that travelers should stay alert when in public areas or crowds and monitor local media outlets for breaking news.
But the Level 2 advisory for Italy is another reissue of a travel advisory without a level change, similar to the department’s reissuing of the advisory for Switzerland at Level 1. While some news organizations had reported the travel advisory was previously Level 1, a search of internet archives found that Italy has maintained Level 2 since early 2022, when it was downgraded from Level 3, where it had been because of lingering COVID-19 restrictions and variant outbreaks.
The Government of Canada also uses a four-level matrix for advising travelers of threats when traveling. It has rated Italy similarly, saying Canadian travelers should “exercise a high degree of caution” but not yet reconsider travel. Canada also notes that the threat of terrorism is the reason for its advisory level.
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The British Foreign Office doesn’t issue advisory levels for travelers but does warn that “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting U.K. interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the U.K. and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.” The Foreign Office is more muted in its assessment of the potential for terrorist attacks in Italy, noting only that they “cannot be ruled out.” The most recent advisories concerned crowds related to the election of a new Pope in the Vatican.
Unlike the U.S. and Canada, the U.K. Foreign Office has not issued a “topline” warning or advisory for terrorism concerns for Italy. The Foreign Office uses stronger language to describe the potential for terrorist attacks in the U.S.: “Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in the U.S.”
The advisories are typically based on intelligence shared between diplomatic officials and international law enforcement organizations based on their assessments of terrorist group activity, including planning messages and preparation activities. Local consular offices in each country also typically have input on the advisory levels or any updated messaging posted for travelers.
When warning about terrorist attacks, the warnings are generally not specific to whether the attacks could be targeted against travelers, or whether it’s anticipated that travelers visiting popular attractions or large public spaces.
American travelers concerned about terrorism in Italy should monitor world and Italian news organizations before and during their travel to the country. Many travel insurance plans also cover disruptions, including trip interruption or trip cancellation if a destination has been impacted by a terrorist event.
The State Department is required to provide annual assessments on terrorism activity each year. The most recent is for 2023, and lists not only the major terrorism-related events observed in that country each year, but also local governments’ efforts to mitigate terrorism activity. The report is due on April 30 of each year, and the State Department does not yet appear to have posted the report for 2024.
