Short answer. BE-Alert, in operation since June 2017, is the system Belgian authorities use to warn the population 12. It sends SMS, voice calls or e-mails to registered addresses, and location-based messages to every mobile phone in an affected zone, even without registration 12. A genuine message always begins with "BE-Alert" and comes from 1789 or 0477 77 77 55 1.
How does BE-Alert reach people?
| Channel | How it works | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| BE-Alert (registered) | SMS, voice call or e-mail; up to five addresses can be registered 125 | Yes, at be-alert.be |
| BE-Alert location-based | Message to all mobile phones present in the zone 12 | No |
| Other official channels | Radio, TV, official websites, social media, mobile loudspeakers or police vehicles 23 | No |
| 1771 | National information number, activated during emergencies 2 | No |
Registration is done on the official site, https://www.be-alert.be/fr 1. Location-based messages reach every phone in the zone whether or not it is registered 12.
How do I recognise a real BE-Alert message?
- It always starts with "BE-Alert": "Un message BE-Alert commence toujours par « BE-Alert »" 1.
- It comes from 1789 or 0477 77 77 55; e-mails come from no-reply@be-alert.be 1.
- It is free and never asks for bank details 1.
Messages of general interest that you may opt into, such as waste collection notices, do not start with "BE-Alert" and come from 8686 or 0477 77 77 55 1.
When are BE-Alert tests sent?
| Who tests | When |
|---|---|
| Municipalities (optional) | First Thursday of each month 16 |
| National Crisis Centre (larger test) | First Thursday of each quarter 16 |
Does Belgium still use sirens?
No outdoor siren network is in use. The NCCN's national alert-test strategy states that the siren network was tested audibly four times a year, on the first Thursday of each quarter, until December 2018, and that this quarterly test cadence was kept for BE-Alert 6. Current NCCN pages list BE-Alert, radio, TV, websites, social media and mobile loudspeakers as channels, with no siren signals 23.
What should I do when I receive an alert?
Read the instruction and follow it: it may ask you to shelter in the nearest building or to evacuate 34. See Public shelters in Belgium. Keep a wind-up or battery radio, preferably DAB+ and FM, in case phone networks fail 4. For more on radios, see Which radio and alerts do you need when networks are down?.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register to receive BE-Alert?
Not for location-based messages, which reach every phone in the zone. Registering adds SMS, calls or e-mails for up to five addresses you choose 12.
Is BE-Alert free?
Yes. Messages are free and never ask for bank details 1.
Why did I get a BE-Alert on a Thursday with nothing happening?
It was probably a test: municipalities may test on the first Thursday of the month and the NCCN on the first Thursday of the quarter 16.
Will I hear a siren in Belgium?
No outdoor siren network is in use; the audible quarterly siren tests ran until December 2018 6.
Sources
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — BE-Alert : des alertes sur votre téléphone — https://centredecrise.be/fr/que-pouvez-vous-faire/informez-vous/be-alert-des-alertes-sur-votre-telephone (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — Informer la population — https://centredecrise.be/fr/que-font-les-autorites/gestion-de-crise/informer-la-population (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — Se mettre à l'abri — https://centredecrise.be/fr/que-pouvez-vous-faire/le-bon-reflexe/se-mettre-labri (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken — Samen voorbereid. Praktische gids. Bereid jezelf en je omgeving voor op noodsituaties — https://crisiscentrum.be/sites/default/files/documents/files/WEB-Brochure%20Samen%20voorbereid-NL.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) — Prêts. Ensemble. Le Centre de crise National publie une brochure pour aider le citoyen à se préparer aux situations d'urgence — https://centredecrise.be/fr/newsroom/prets-ensemble-le-centre-de-crise-national-publie-une-brochure-pour-aider-le-citoyen-se (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum (NCCN), Directie Communicatie — Nationale strategie voor alarmeringstesten van de bevolking (BE-Alert) — https://crisiscentrum.be/sites/default/files/documents/files/cc_nationale_strategie_voor_alarmeringstesten_0.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Belgium, worked out for your household.
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- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · BE-Alert : des alertes sur votre téléphone checked 2026-10-20
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · Informer la population checked 2026-10-20
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · Se mettre à l'abri checked 2026-10-20
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum, FOD Binnenlandse Zaken · Samen voorbereid. Praktische gids. Bereid jezelf en je omgeving voor op noodsituaties checked 2026-10-20
- Centre de crise National (NCCN) · Prêts. Ensemble. Le Centre de crise National publie une brochure pour aider le citoyen à se préparer aux situations d'urgence checked 2026-10-20
- Nationaal Crisiscentrum (NCCN), Directie Communicatie · Nationale strategie voor alarmeringstesten van de bevolking (BE-Alert) checked 2026-10-20