The holiday season is upon us and the U.S. Embassy would like to pass on some information to ensure everyone is able to enjoy this time of year. During this time with friends and family it is important to maintain our situational awareness to ensure everyone can celebrate a safe and happy holiday.
In Kosovo, as anywhere else in the world, it is important to take a few moments and review your personal security practices:
• 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 public gatherings. If something or someone looks suspicious leave the area immediately and contact the police. Take care to avoid large crowds. 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.
• Celebratory gun fire is common in Kosovo, especially on New Year’s Eve. If you hear gun fire, step inside a building or seek overhead cover.
• If you plan to travel during the holidays, limit who you tell and never post your intended travel plans on social media.
If you become a victim of a crime or need police assistance, please call the Kosovo Police at 192.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Kosovo enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Kosovo. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter andFacebook to have travel information at your fingertips.
The U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo is located at 30 Nazim Hikmet St. Arberia/Dragodan, 10000 Pristina and is open between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., (381) 38-5959-3000 . If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is (381) 38-5959-3000.
