Germany’s Federal Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey, urging German nationals to avoid non-essential trips to provinces close to the Syrian and Iraqi borders after Turkish authorities arrested 115 suspected Islamic State members earlier this week. The advisory, published on 27 December, singles out the provinces of Şırnak, Hakkâri, Mardin and Gaziantep, and recommends heightened vigilance in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara during the New Year holiday period.
The Foreign Office notes that terrorist organisations still view foreigners and religious sites as attractive targets. Large gatherings, popular tourist landmarks and areas near government or military installations should therefore be avoided. German companies with staff rotations or project work in southeastern Turkey—especially in the energy and construction sectors—are advised to review their duty-of-care protocols and confirm that travellers are enrolled in crisis-alert apps capable of pushing location-specific warnings.
![Foreign Office Issues Heightened Travel Warning for Southeastern Turkey]()
For German citizens who nevertheless have urgent business in Turkey, VisaHQ’s Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) offers a convenient way to verify visa requirements, arrange fast passport renewals and register for real-time security updates. The service can streamline paperwork for both individual travellers and corporate mobility teams, adding an extra layer of preparedness before departure.
Risk consultants point out that the advisory does not constitute a formal ban; however, it may influence corporate travel insurance. Many German underwriters exclude cover for trips taken against explicit Foreign Office guidance. Mobility managers should double-check policy wording and, where necessary, seek written exceptions or enhanced kidnap-and-ransom coverage.
The Foreign Office’s move follows similar warnings from France and the Netherlands and comes amid a wider tightening of security across the Schengen zone in the wake of the Paris Christmas-market plot uncovered earlier this month. Employers should brief travelling staff on emergency contacts, ensure passports and residence cards are valid for at least six months, and remind employees that consular assistance in high-risk regions may be limited.
The Foreign Office notes that terrorist organisations still view foreigners and religious sites as attractive targets. Large gatherings, popular tourist landmarks and areas near government or military installations should therefore be avoided. German companies with staff rotations or project work in southeastern Turkey—especially in the energy and construction sectors—are advised to review their duty-of-care protocols and confirm that travellers are enrolled in crisis-alert apps capable of pushing location-specific warnings.
For German citizens who nevertheless have urgent business in Turkey, VisaHQ’s Germany portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) offers a convenient way to verify visa requirements, arrange fast passport renewals and register for real-time security updates. The service can streamline paperwork for both individual travellers and corporate mobility teams, adding an extra layer of preparedness before departure.
Risk consultants point out that the advisory does not constitute a formal ban; however, it may influence corporate travel insurance. Many German underwriters exclude cover for trips taken against explicit Foreign Office guidance. Mobility managers should double-check policy wording and, where necessary, seek written exceptions or enhanced kidnap-and-ransom coverage.
The Foreign Office’s move follows similar warnings from France and the Netherlands and comes amid a wider tightening of security across the Schengen zone in the wake of the Paris Christmas-market plot uncovered earlier this month. Employers should brief travelling staff on emergency contacts, ensure passports and residence cards are valid for at least six months, and remind employees that consular assistance in high-risk regions may be limited.
