Several national guides list a warning app, and Germany names one: NINA. Most EU countries now also send cell broadcast alerts, which reach every phone in an affected area without any app or sign-up. Here is what each country uses, checked against official government sources in November 2026.
Two things to do on any phone
- Switch on emergency alerts. On iPhone: Settings → Notifications → Government Alerts (bottom of the list). On Android: Settings → Safety & emergency → Wireless emergency alerts. Keep the phone's software up to date: older versions may not receive them.
- Install your country's app if it has one, and allow notifications and location. Apps add detail that a short alert can't, and some let you follow other places, such as where your parents live.
Alerts need a working mobile network. If the masts lose power, they stop. Keep a battery or crank radio as the fallback, and read what to do when the mobile network is down.
Country by country
Austria
AT-Alert reaches phones automatically, with no app or sign-up. It needs iOS 17.4+ or Android 11+. Official information.
Belgium
Belgium has no cell broadcast yet. Register your address and phone number at be-alert.be to get alerts by SMS, voice call or email. It's free.
Bulgaria
BG-ALERT reaches phones automatically. Keep emergency alerts switched on. bg-alert.bg.
Croatia
The national system, SRUUK, combines cell broadcast with location-based SMS. No sign-up needed. Official information.
Cyprus
CY-Alert has been live since June 2026. Update your phone and switch on emergency alerts. Official information.
Czechia
Cell broadcast is planned but we found no confirmation that it has launched. For now, rely on sirens and public radio (Český rozhlas).
Denmark
S!RENEN reaches phones automatically (iPhone iOS 16.4+, Android 11+), alongside the outdoor sirens. Official information.
Estonia
EE-ALARM sends location-based SMS automatically. Install the government's Eesti äpp (App Store, Google Play) and allow notifications. Cell broadcast is due by 2027. Official information.
Finland
Install 112 Suomi (App Store, Google Play) and allow notifications: it carries official warnings. FI-Alert phone alerts are being launched. 112.fi.
France
FR-Alert reaches every phone automatically. No app needed. fr-alert.gouv.fr.
Germany
The BBK's guide names NINA (App Store, Google Play). Install it and add the places you care about. Cell Broadcast also reaches phones automatically. Official information.
Greece
Emergency messages from 112 reach phones automatically by cell broadcast. Keep your phone updated and alerts on. Official information.
Hungary
Install the disaster management agency's VÉSZ app (App Store, Google Play, in Hungarian) and allow location-based notifications. Official information.
Ireland
Ireland has no phone alert system yet; a cell broadcast system has been approved. Follow Met Éireann warnings and RTÉ radio.
Italy
IT-alert reaches every phone automatically. No app needed. it-alert.it.
Latvia
Cell broadcast alerts reach phones automatically. Install 112 Latvija (App Store, Google Play) for extra warnings, also in English. 112.lv.
Lithuania
Switch on emergency alerts for cell broadcast, and install LT72 (App Store, Google Play) for alerts in English and shelter maps. lt72.lt.
Luxembourg
LU-Alert reaches phones automatically by cell broadcast and SMS. The LU-Alert app (App Store, Google Play) shows all current alerts. lu-alert.lu.
Malta
Malta has no national phone alert system yet. Follow national radio and TV.
Netherlands
NL-Alert reaches every phone automatically. No app needed; check it is enabled in your settings. nl-alert.nl.
Poland
Alert RCB text messages reach every phone automatically. Install RSO, the Regional Warning System app (App Store, Google Play), for regional warnings. Official information.
Portugal
Civil protection sends warning SMS automatically from the sender AvisoPROCIV. Trust only that sender, and don't opt out. Official information.
Romania
RO-ALERT reaches phones automatically; keep cell broadcast alerts on. The Department for Emergency Situations also has the DSU app (App Store, Google Play). ro-alert.ro.
Slovakia
We found no confirmation that a national phone alert system is live. Rely on sirens and public radio (Rádio Slovensko).
Slovenia
SI-ALARM reaches phones automatically. Keep emergency alerts on. Official information.
Spain
ES-Alert reaches phones automatically (Android 11+, iOS 15.6+). No app needed. Official information.
Sweden
Install Krisinformation.se (App Store, Google Play) to receive VMA, Important Public Announcements. SE-Alert phone alerts are rolling out, with a national test in December 2026. Sveriges Radio P4 remains the official emergency channel. Official information.
United Kingdom
Emergency Alerts reach compatible phones automatically. Keep them switched on. gov.uk/alerts.
Something out of date? Warning systems are changing fast across Europe. We re-check these against official sources regularly.