December 19, 2025, 9:27 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Travel advisories are a state’s appeal to refrain from traveling to a specific country or region. They are issued by the Foreign Office with the aim of protecting German citizens from dangers to life and limb. But how exactly do travel advisories come about? What must happen to justify them, and who decides on them? Find out everything about it at TRAVELBOOK.
Travel Advisories: What They Are–and What They Are Not
Acute security risks such as war, terrorism, or natural disasters lead to the issuance of travel advisories. Legally, they are classified as state information. They are not bans–travelers can still decide for themselves whether they want to embark on a trip or not.
The Foreign Office itself advises paying attention to the travel advisories or travel and safety information it publishes, along with associated recommendations, as they are based on concrete dangers. But how exactly are these dangers determined? More details can be found on the website of the Foreign Ministry.
How Travel Advisories Are Issued
The Foreign Office creates safety information and, if necessary, travel advisories based on all available information it deems trustworthy. A central component of the situation assessment is reports from German embassies and consulates in the relevant countries or regions, documenting the current situation on the ground. These reports, along with other reliable sources–such as reputable media, intelligence services, and international organizations–are included in ongoing analyses.
“It is assumed that intelligence information also flows into official travel advisories,” TRAVELBOOK learns upon inquiry with aviation expert Cord Schellenberg. “This is also a reason why airlines and tour operators take these travel advisories seriously.” More on this later.
The primary factor in the decision is “the safety of travelers as well as Germans on site,” according to the publication. This takes precedence over all other considerations. Political or economic considerations do not play a role.
Several Levels of Travel “Recommendations”
The Foreign Office explains that travel advisories are only issued in the case of serious and concrete dangers. They represent the highest of three escalation levels of state travel recommendations. Moderate danger situations can lead to security levels (Level 2); here is an explanation:
- The lowest Level 1 consists of travel notices. They provide basic information–such as general entry requirements of a country–as well as medical, criminal, or customs-related specifics.
- Level 2 consists of safety notices. They alert travelers or Germans living abroad to significant risks (e.g., increased crime, unrest) and are understood as a recommendation to refrain from “non-essential travel.”
- Level 3 consists of the travel advisories discussed here–a strong appeal not to travel to a location. They are issued when there is a concrete danger to life and limb for all travelers. German citizens on site may be asked to leave.
To reach Level 3, extraordinary risks must be present that significantly exceed the usual conditions for travel to a specific location. Travel advisories do not have to apply to an entire country but can also refer to specific regions.
Foreign Ministry No Longer Advises Against Travel to Dubai
What to Consider When Traveling to the Gulf Region
Constant Reassessment of the Security Situation
The safety information is regularly reviewed, emphasizes the Foreign Office. If the situation improves or worsens, they are updated as quickly as possible. An older publication date does not mean the information is outdated–rather, the situation remained unchanged. Especially in the case of natural disasters or rapidly changing events, reassessment may take a little longer, as obtaining reliable and up-to-date information sometimes takes time. At the same time, it is possible for changes to be incorporated several times a day.
Travelers are well advised to specifically inform themselves about possible dangers at their destination. Ultimately, they must decide for themselves whether they want to take the communicated risk–and sometimes they may have no other choice.
For Whom Travel Advisories Have Practical Impact
Even though travel advisories are not legal norms, they can have an indirect practical impact. Tour operators often cancel trips to affected countries or regions to avoid liability risks if customers are harmed due to known dangers. They are also a central signal for airlines regarding safety, liability, and business risks. Travel advisories, which can indicate increased risk for passengers and crews, often lead to a drop in demand and occupancy. Flights are therefore often canceled–even if the airspace is open–because they are hardly economically viable.
Some insurance policies also do not cover risks if a trip leads to an area with an official warning. This is confirmed, for example, by the Sparkassen Versicherung.