Short answer. Croatia warns the public with sirens using three public signals, plus a fire-brigade call-out signal 1. Since August 2023, the SRUUK system also sends warnings by SMS or cell broadcast to every phone in the affected area, including foreign phones on roaming 2. Sirens are tested on the first Saturday of every month at 12:00 with the "end of danger" signal 1.
What are the Croatian siren signals?
| Signal | Sound | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Warning of approaching danger (Upozorenje na nadolazeću opasnost) | 100 seconds: 20 s steady tone and 20 s wailing tone, alternating (steady-wail-steady-wail-steady) | Turn on radio or TV, listen to the announcement on the type of danger and the measures to take, start preparing protective measures 1 |
| Immediate danger (Neposredna opasnost) | Wailing tone for 60 seconds | Turn on radio or TV, listen to the announcement, urgently take the protective measures it gives 1 |
| End of danger (Prestanak opasnosti) | Continuous steady tone for 60 seconds | You may stop the protective measures; help rescue forces if needed. Also used for testing 1 |
| Fire brigade alert (Vatrogasna uzbuna) | 90 seconds: three 20 s tones separated by 15 s pauses | Stay calm: it calls out firefighters and civil protection units, not the public 1 |
Sirens are followed by public announcements on radio, TV and loudspeakers 13. Our air-raid alert guide explains general responses to a warning.
When are sirens tested?
The Directorate's wording is: "Redovno ispitivanje ispravnosti sustava javnog uzbunjivanja provodi se svake prve subote u mjesecu u 12:00 sati oglašavanjem znaka „prestanak opasnosti“" 1. In other words, every first Saturday of the month at 12:00, you hear the continuous 60-second "end of danger" tone. A steady tone at that time is a test.
How do SRUUK phone alerts work?
SRUUK (Sustav za rano upozoravanje i upravljanje krizama, the early warning and crisis management system) has operated since August 2023 2. Warnings go by SMS or cell broadcast to all domestic and foreign (roaming) mobile users in the affected area, at minimum at the level of a municipality or city district 2. You cannot switch them off, and the system is tested at least once a year 2. Its public website is hr-alert.hr 2.
Do I need an app?
No. The Directorate names no official alert app; SRUUK messages reach phones without one 2. Visitors to Croatia receive them too, through roaming 2.
What about radio?
After a siren, the instructions come on radio, TV and loudspeakers 13. The official survival kit includes a portable battery-powered radio with spare batteries for that reason 4. See our emergency radio guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a steady siren tone mean in Croatia?
A continuous steady tone for 60 seconds means end of danger. It is also the signal used for the monthly test on the first Saturday at 12:00 1.
What does a wailing siren mean?
A wailing tone for 60 seconds means immediate danger: turn on radio or TV and urgently take the announced protective measures 1.
Will I get alerts on a foreign phone in Croatia?
Yes. SRUUK warnings reach foreign mobile users on roaming in the affected area 2.
Can I turn off SRUUK alerts?
No. The Directorate states that they cannot be switched off 2.
Sources
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite — Znakovi za uzbunjivanje (plakat) — https://civilna-zastita.gov.hr/znakovi-za-uzbunjivanje/143 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite — SRUUK - Sustav za rano upozoravanje i upravljanje krizama — https://civilna-zastita.gov.hr/sruuk-sustav-za-rano-upozoravanje-i-upravljanje-krizama/7097 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite — Rano upozoravanje i uzbunjivanje — https://civilna-zastita.gov.hr/rano-upozoravanje-i-uzbunjivanje/144 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite — Komplet za preživljavanje — https://civilna-zastita.gov.hr/istaknute-teme/upute-za-gradjane-7375/sto-je-vazno-znati-prije-nesrece-za-vrijeme-trajanja-nesrece-i-po-zavrsetku-nesrece/komplet-za-prezivljavanje/7534 (accessed 2026-10-20)
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Sources
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite · Znakovi za uzbunjivanje (plakat) checked 2026-10-20
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite · SRUUK - Sustav za rano upozoravanje i upravljanje krizama checked 2026-10-20
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite · Rano upozoravanje i uzbunjivanje checked 2026-10-20
- Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova - Ravnateljstvo civilne zaštite · Komplet za preživljavanje checked 2026-10-20