Italy Travel Alert 2025: Essential Safety Tips for Jubilee Year Visitors Amid Heightened Security and Potential Risks

Listeners considering travel to Italy in July 2025 should be aware of updated safety guidance and take several important precautions due to recent advisories, heightened security, and ongoing events. The U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory for Italy to Level 2, meaning travelers are urged to exercise increased caution, chiefly due to potential terrorism threats coinciding with a major influx of visitors for the 2025 Jubilee in Rome. According to Travel Noire, authorities recommend remaining especially vigilant near popular attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the canals of Venice and to prepare for increased police and security presence, particularly in Rome and other pilgrimage sites.

Heightened security is in place throughout Italy for the duration of the Jubilee year, which runs until January 2026. The city of Rome will be exceptionally busy, especially during key events such as the Jubilee of Youth from 28 July to 3 August, when crowd sizes and police deployment will be at their highest. Authorities are strictly enforcing travel documentation rules—travelers must carry their original passports at all times, and failure to do so can result in fines or other penalties, as highlighted by the Rick Steves Travel Forum and British government advice.

While crime rates in Italy are generally low, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching is common in crowded areas, major city centers, and at tourist hotspots. The UK Foreign Office and Government of Canada both warn to keep a close eye on your belongings, be wary of distraction techniques employed by thieves, and avoid carrying all valuables together. Thieves often target tourists on public transport, at train stations—particularly Termini in Rome—as well as at port and airport links and in the vicinity of big attractions. Car thefts are also reported in Rome, Milan, Pisa, coastal areas, and at motorway service stations. Do not leave valuables in parked cars, and be cautious of scams or individuals attempting to distract or stop you while driving.

Road safety varies, with urban congestion, limited signage, and aggressive driving habits, particularly among motorcycles and scooters, requiring defensive driving. In mountainous or rural regions, roads may be poorly maintained and subject to closures from avalanches or landslides.

If you plan to swim or take part in water activities, heed local warnings at beaches and avoid risky areas during poor weather as coastal waters can be hazardous. For boating, especially in straits like Bonifacio and Messina, check vessel safety and consider carrying emergency communication equipment.

Listeners should check that passports have at least three months’ validity beyond their planned departure date from the Schengen area, though six months’ validity is recommended. Those entering Italy from countries subject to visa regulations must secure a valid visa before departure. To stay informed, travelers are encouraged to enroll in their home country’s embassy alert services.

Given the scale of international events and ongoing security concerns, authorities urge all travelers to register with their embassy, follow local news, remain flexible in travel plans, obtain comprehensive travel insurance, and avoid protests or large gatherings. Standard travel advisories stress vigilance in crowded spaces, careful safeguarding of documents, and routine awareness of evolving local conditions.