Dutch government issues red travel warnings for Israel and Iran
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised its travel advisories for both Israel and Iran to the highest risk level, assigning the color code red due to "rapidly deteriorating security conditions and rising threats" to Dutch citizens.
As of June 13, 2025, the situation in Israel has significantly worsened following a series of reciprocal military strikes between Israel and Iran. “The security situation in Israel is unpredictable and dangerous,” the ministry said in a public statement. It warned that there is now “an elevated risk of rocket attacks throughout the country.”
The entire territory of Israel is now classified under a red travel advisory. According to the ministry, this designation means all travel to Israel is strongly discouraged, regardless of the traveler’s circumstances. “No matter your situation: do not travel there. It is too dangerous,” the statement said.
Dutch travelers already in Israel are being advised that consular assistance is extremely limited. “The Dutch embassy cannot assist you if you get into trouble,” the ministry stated. It urged all Dutch nationals currently in Israel to register with the government’s Information Service to receive immediate updates in case of changes to the advisory or a developing crisis.
This red alert reverses a decision made in January 2025, when the Foreign Ministry had downgraded the travel warning for much of Israel from red to orange. That earlier orange advisory had allowed for essential travel. However, due to the sharp escalation in military conflict, the entire country has now returned to the highest alert level.
The security situation in Iran reportedly remains similarly dire. The country also carries a red travel warning, citing widespread repression and a high risk of arbitrary arrest.
“The security situation in Iran is poor,” the ministry said. It warned that Iranian authorities are known to detain individuals without clear justification, and Dutch citizens are not exempt from this risk. “Iranian authorities can arrest and detain people without clear reason. Dutch nationals face this risk as well,” the advisory stated.
As with Israel, the red advisory for Iran means that all travel is strongly discouraged. “No matter your situation: do not travel there. It is too dangerous,” the ministry said. “Are you currently in Iran? Leave the country if it is possible to do so safely,” the advisory said.
The ministry also stressed that the Dutch embassy in Iran will not be able to offer help in case of an emergency. Citizens are again urged to sign up for the Information Service to receive real-time updates on potential threats or changes to the security situation.
