Socio-political Issues in Europe

Crime and Delinquency

As everywhere, European countries are not immune to crime. While the vast majority of it does not directly affect travellers, there are risks of pickpocketing in tourist areas or public spaces (including in Paris) in many countries. However, with a few basic precautions (and common sense), you’ll likely avoid any trouble.

Political Risks and Terrorism

Europe now regularly faces terrorist threats. Whether real or exaggerated depending on the period, the fact remains that such threats exist and, as seen in France, can also affect tourists. This is now a reality to acknowledge—but also to keep in perspective, or risk never leaving home...

Beyond "international terrorism" and the situation in the east of Ukraine, some European regions still occasionally experience attacks or violent actions by local movements or groups. While issues in the Basque Country and Northern Ireland are now resolved, this isn’t entirely the case in parts of the former Yugoslavia, where nationalist movements remain active, though travellers are rarely targeted.

In another context, it’s best to avoid the end of demonstrations if there’s a risk of tension or escalation (including in France).

Russia

Russia has faced years of problems in its Caucasus republics (Chechnya, Ossetia, Dagestan...), which are best avoided. Even if conflicts are mostly confined to these regions, they can sometimes "spread" to the rest of the country, with risks of attacks or hostage-taking in cities like Moscow.