U.S. Embassy Pristina strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Kosovo to maintain a high level of vigilance during a heightened time of security due to crowds expected for the St. Vitus Day/Vidovdan events this weekend, as well as the potential increased threat from foreign fighters returning to Europe, and in light of terrorist attacks today in Kuwait, France, and Tunisia.
Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings and local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of situational awareness and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.
• Avoid large crowds and public gatherings.
• Review the Worldwide Caution.
• Please use your lights, locks, and alarms available in your residences.
• Be vigilant when walking on the streets. Stay alert for traffic and for anything suspicious.
• Be aware of your surroundings at cafés, restaurants, or locations where large numbers of people congregate. If something or someone looks suspicious leave the area immediately and contact the police. Take care to avoid large crowds.
• Celebratory gun fire is common in Kosovo. If you hear gun fire, step inside a building or seek overhead cover.
• If you plan to travel, limit whom you tell and never post your intended travel plans on social media.
• If you live in Kosovo, but frequently travel in the region, please also register your trips with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or check for regional messages here before you depart.
• If you become a victim of a crime or need police assistance, please call the Kosovo Police at 192.
We encourage U.S. citizens to follow local media for up to date information on demonstrations and potential disruptions of traffic. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations. Updated demonstration and security messages from the Embassy are available 24/7 here.
We recommend U.S. citizens ensure they have at least 6-12 months validity left on their passports. Click here to make an appointment to renew your passport here.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Kosovo Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo located at 30 Nazim Hikmet St. Arberia/Dragodan, 10000 , +(381) 38-5959-3000, open between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is + (381) 38-5959-3000.
- Call 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 us on Twitter and Facebook.
