The advisories are based on various factors, including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, access to health care, natural disasters, and other current threats.
The U.S. State Department continues to update its travel advisories, providing citizens of the United States with important safety information about various destinations around the world. These advisories help travelers better plan their trips, avoid dangers, and choose safe destinations. Ahead of 2026, the State Department published lists of countries that are safer to travel to, as well as those that should be avoided due to increased security risks such as crime and terrorism, Newsweek writes.
Recommendations and warnings are issued based on various factors, including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, access to health care, natural disasters, and other current threats. Depending on the level of risk, countries are classified into four categories, and travelers are advised on how to behave in each case.
Category 1: Safe
Countries placed in the first category are considered safe for travel, with a recommendation to exercise normal precautions, reports Večernji list. These destinations do not pose a serious security risk, and travelers can move freely. Destinations under this category for 2026 include the following countries:
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bulgaria
Canada
Cayman Islands
Curaçao
Czech Republic
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Finland
French Polynesia
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Japan
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Luxembourg
Monaco
Mongolia
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Suriname
Switzerland
Taiwan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Zambia
Some countries at Level 1 are also listed as countries with a “higher security risk.” These countries are not included in the above list, but include Argentina, Croatia, Georgia, Paraguay, Senegal…
Category 2: Exercise Increased Caution
For countries under Category 2, Americans are advised to exercise increased caution. Risks in these countries may include criminal activity, kidnappings, terrorism, or problems with health care services. Some of the destinations that fall into this category are:
Albania
Angola
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Chile
China
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
France
Germany
Greenland
Guinea
Italy
Malawi
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
Republic of the Congo
San Marino
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
East Timor
Bahamas
Gambia
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Zimbabwe
Some countries under Level 2 advisories are also listed as countries with a “higher security risk.” These countries are not included in the above list, but include Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and others.
Category 3: Reconsider Travel
For countries in Category 3, Americans are advised to reconsider travel, as serious risks may exist. This level of advisory includes countries where there is a significant risk of crime, kidnappings, or terrorism, as well as limited access to health care services. Destinations under this category include:
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Nepal
Nicaragua
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Uganda
Some countries under Level 3 advisories are also listed as countries with a “higher security risk.” These countries are not included in the above list, but include Chad, Colombia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and others.
Category 4: Most Serious Warning
For all countries under Level 4 advisories, the highest issued warning, Americans are advised not to travel to these locations at all, as risks to their personal safety are particularly high. Countries with ongoing conflict, in addition to other risks, often receive a Level 4 advisory.
Destinations under this advisory as of 2026:
Afghanistan
Belarus
Burma
Central African Republic
Iran
Iraq
Libya
Mali
Niger
Russia
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Ukraine
Venezuela
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Source: Nova.rs, Foto: State Department