Safety and Security

Terror threats pose possible risks to travelers.  Attackers may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests.  Extremists may target large sporting events, theaters, open markets, and aviation services.  In the past year, there have been multiple attacks in Europe. 

Several major earthquake fault lines cross Italy. General information about disaster preparedness is available online from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Detailed information on Italy's fault lines is available from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Italy also has several active volcanoes, including Mt. Etna in eastern Sicily. Travelers to Sicily should be aware of the possibility for travel disruptions, including airport closures, and are advised to check the website of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia for daily updates. Italy has many other areas of potential volcanic activity especially in the vicinity of Naples. Detailed information on volcano activity in Italy is available from the website of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia.

Politically motivated violence in Italy is most often connected to Italian internal developments or social issues. Italian authorities and foreign diplomatic facilities have found bombs outside public buildings, have received bomb threats, and have been subjects of letter bombs in the past several years. Organized crime and anarchist movements sometimes use firebombs or Molotov cocktails against buildings or offices. These attacks generally occur at night, and although they have not targeted or injured U.S. citizens, you should remain aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.

Demonstrations may have an anti-U.S. character, especially in areas hosting U.S. military bases. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful have the potential to turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. You should take common sense precautions and follow news reports carefully.  Security Messages for U.S. citizens pertaining to  demonstrations can be found on the Embassy’s website.  

Crime: Italy has a moderate rate of crime. As you should when visiting any major metropolitan city, U.S. citizens should:

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Thieves impersonate police officers. If you are stopped by a plainclothes policeman, ask for a uniformed officer or insist on seeing an officer's identification card (documento).  Do not hand over your wallet and immediately report the incident to the actual police.
• Do not leave bags unattended. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, at airports, on public buses and trains, and at the major railway stations.  For more information on trains and security, please see the Italian railway police’s advice for travelers.
• Be alert to criminal schemes.  Organized groups of thieves and pick-pockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train stations, bars, and cafes.  Some travelers have reported incidents in which criminals used drugs to assault or rob them. Thieves on motor scooters regularly snatch purses or bags off pedestrians as they ride by.  Resisting these thieves can be dangerous.
• Keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up at all times to avoid carjackings and thefts while you are waiting in traffic. 

The U.S. Secret Service in Rome is assisting Italian law enforcement authorities in investigating an increase in the appearance of ATM skimming devices. Here are some helpful hints to protect against and identify skimming devices:

• Use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or secured inside a bank/business.
• Cover the keypad with one hand as you enter your PIN.
• Look for gaps, tampered appearance, or other irregularities between the metal faceplate of the ATM and the card reader.
• Avoid card readers that are not flush with the face of the ATM.
• Closely monitor your account statements for unauthorized transactions.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should seek medical attention at the nearest public hospital as soon as possible.

Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+39) 06-4674-1 or after-hours (+39) 06-4674-1. 

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Rome on Twitter and Facebook, and visit the Embassy’s website.
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.