Short answer. Bulgaria warns the public with sirens of the National Early Warning and Notification System (NSRPO) and with BG-ALERT, a Cell Broadcast system run by GDPBZN that sends free messages in Bulgarian and English to phones in the affected area 123. There are four official siren signals: national alarm, end of alarm, air danger and all-clear after air danger 1.
What do the four siren signals sound like?
| Signal | Sound |
|---|---|
| National alarm (Национален сигнал за тревога) | Continuous 3-minute wail jumping between 700 and 1000 Hz, repeating every 8 seconds 1 |
| End of alarm (Национален сигнал за край на тревогата) | Continuous 2-minute tone at 450 Hz 1 |
| Air danger (Въздушна опасност) | Continuous 3-minute wail rising and falling smoothly every 15 seconds between 100 and 450 Hz 1 |
| All-clear after air danger (Отбой от въздушна опасност) | Continuous 2-minute tone at 450 Hz from electromechanical sirens 1 |
The national alarm sounds from acoustic sirens in Sofia, Varna, Vratsa, Burgas, Ruse, Pleven, Kardzhali, Smolyan, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv and Montana, in the 30 km zone around Kozloduy NPP and through integrated local systems 1. The air-danger signal uses acoustic and electromechanical sirens nationwide 1. The rules are set by a Council of Ministers ordinance on the national early warning system (PMS No. 48/2012) 4.
Near Kozloduy NPP, the radiation accident signal is a prolonged siren wail followed by a spoken announcement telling people to shelter and use personal protective equipment 5.
When are sirens tested?
- The alarm and end-of-alarm signals are tested twice a year, on the first working day of April and October at 13:00 1.
- The air-danger signal sounds every year on 2 June at 12:00 to honour Hristo Botev 1.
- The 2026 autumn test of NSRPO and BG-ALERT was announced for 1 October, 11:00-11:30 3.
- Near Kozloduy NPP, a technical siren check runs every third Tuesday of the month at 11:00 5.
How does BG-ALERT work?
BG-ALERT is governed by Ordinance No. 8121з-413 of 29 March 2024 2. Its messages 23:
- are sent in Bulgarian and English;
- are free for recipients;
- may contain recommended actions.
EU-Alert level 1, the highest priority, cannot be switched off. Level 2, level 3, EU-Amber and monthly test messages can be managed in your phone settings. To receive test messages, enable the "Test signals" channel 3. More information is on www.bg-alert.bg 3.
We found no official public warning app; BG-ALERT works through Cell Broadcast without one 12.
What other channels carry warnings?
Warnings also go out on BNT and BNR national radio and television, regional broadcasters, local radio relay networks and local warning systems at hazardous sites 1. In a nuclear emergency, tune your radio to "Horizont" and your TV to "Kanal 1" 5. A battery or hand-crank radio keeps you informed if the power fails; the official backpack includes a battery radio with spare batteries 6.
For what to do when the air-danger signal sounds, see our guide on air-raid alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off BG-ALERT on my phone?
Not the highest-priority EU-Alert level 1 messages. Level 2, level 3, EU-Amber and monthly test messages can be managed in phone settings 3.
Are BG-ALERT messages in English?
Yes. The ordinance says warning messages are distributed in Bulgarian and English 2.
When is the next siren test?
The alarm and end-of-alarm signals are tested on the first working day of April and October at 13:00 1.
What does the all-clear sound like?
A continuous 2-minute tone at 450 Hz 1.
Sources
- MVR – GDPBZN — Сигнали за ранно предупреждение и оповестяване на населението на територията на Република България — https://www.mvr.bg/gdpbzn/footer/info-center/pravila-signali/signali (accessed 2026-10-20)
- MVR – GDPBZN — Наредба № 8121з-413 от 29 март 2024 г. за реда за изграждане, поддържане, развитие и използване на системата BG-ALERT за разпространение на съобщения за предупреждение на населението — https://www.mvr.bg/upload/15726/naredba-bg-alert.doc (accessed 2026-10-20)
- GDPBZN (pojarna.com) — Тестване на НСРПО и системата BG-ALERT (30 September 2026) — https://pojarna.com/?p=11264 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- MVR – GDPBZN — Наредба за условията и реда за функциониране на Националната система за ранно предупреждение и оповестяване ... и за оповестяване при въздушна опасност (ПМС № 48/2012, amended DV No. 60 of 2014) — https://mvr.bg/upload/15986/296fdee6-naredba_ranno_opovestqvane_22072014doc.doc (accessed 2026-10-20)
- MVR – GDPBZN — Инструкция за аварийна готовност (при радиационна опасност) — https://www.mvr.bg/upload/15984/avariinagotovnost.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- GDPBZN (pojarna.com, information site of GDPBZN) — Основни материали и средства необходими за окомплектоване на „Раница за бедствия“ — https://pojarna.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%8F.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Bulgaria, 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
- MVR – GDPBZN · Сигнали за ранно предупреждение и оповестяване на населението на територията на Република България checked 2026-10-20
- MVR – GDPBZN · Наредба № 8121з-413 от 29 март 2024 г. за реда за изграждане, поддържане, развитие и използване на системата BG-ALERT за разпространение на съобщения за предупреждение на населението checked 2026-10-20
- GDPBZN (pojarna.com) · Тестване на НСРПО и системата BG-ALERT (30 September 2026) checked 2026-10-20
- MVR – GDPBZN · Наредба за условията и реда за функциониране на Националната система за ранно предупреждение и оповестяване ... и за оповестяване при въздушна опасност (ПМС № 48/2012, amended DV No. 60 of 2014) checked 2026-10-20
- MVR – GDPBZN · Инструкция за аварийна готовност (при радиационна опасност) checked 2026-10-20
- GDPBZN (pojarna.com, information site of GDPBZN) · Основни материали и средства необходими за окомплектоване на „Раница за бедствия“ checked 2026-10-20