Short answer. Greece warns the public through the 112 service run by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection 1. Alerts arrive by cell broadcast with a distinctive alarm sound, enabled by default on phones sold in Greece since December 2019, with no app needed 1. People without a smartphone can register for SMS, email or voice alerts 1. Civil Defence sirens are tested nationwide each year 2.
How does the 112 cell broadcast work?
In the words of the 112 FAQ: "Οι ειδοποιήσεις μέσω Εκπομπής Κυψέλης είναι ενεργοποιημένες αυτόματα στα κινητά που διατίθενται στην Ελλάδα από τον Δεκέμβριο του 2019 και μετά": cell broadcast alerts are enabled automatically on phones sold in Greece from December 2019 onwards 1. No app or registration is needed 1.
The legal basis is Article 218 of Law 4727/2020, which transposes Article 110 of Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and Law 4662/2020 as amended by Law 5075/2023 1.
What if I don't have a recent smartphone?
The 112 registration service sends alerts by SMS from the sender "112", by email from an @112.gov.gr address, or by text-to-speech voice call 1. It is opt-in.
| Channel | How it reaches you | App needed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 112 cell broadcast | Automatic on phones sold in Greece since Dec. 2019 | No | 1 |
| 112 registration service | SMS from "112", email from @112.gov.gr, voice call | No (registration) | 1 |
| Civil Defence sirens | Outdoor sirens | No | 2 |
What do the sirens mean?
No national page explaining siren signals was found. The signals below come from the municipality of Glyfada's notice for the nationwide test of 1 October 2025, part of the annual exercise "Parmenion" (PARMENION-25) 2.
| Signal | Sound | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Air raid alert | Intermittent, varying intensity | 60 seconds |
| CBRN threat alert | Intermittent | 120 seconds |
| End of alarm | Continuous, constant volume | 60 seconds |
See /guides/air-raid-alert for general background on what to do when an air raid siren sounds, and /guides/chemical-shelter-in-place for chemical incidents. The ministry also publishes protection guidelines for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents 4.
What should I do when I receive an alert?
The official instruction is: "Διατηρώ την ψυχραιμία μου, εφαρμόζω τις κατευθύνσεις που μου δίνονται και ακολουθώ τις οδηγίες των Αρχών": stay calm, apply the directions given and follow the authorities' instructions 1. Hazard-by-hazard guidance is published on civilprotection.gov.gr 3. A battery-powered radio is on the official kit list 3; see /guides/emergency-radio.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install an app to receive 112 alerts?
No. Cell broadcast alerts arrive without an app on phones sold in Greece since December 2019 1.
When are sirens tested?
In the annual nationwide exercise "Parmenion"; the 2025 test took place on 1 October 2025 2.
How long does the end-of-alarm signal last?
60 seconds of a continuous sound at constant volume, according to the Glyfada notice 2.
Can I get alerts by email?
Yes, through the opt-in 112 registration service, from an @112.gov.gr address 1.
Sources
- Υπουργείο Κλιματικής Κρίσης και Πολιτικής Προστασίας — FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) – 112 — https://civilprotection.gov.gr/112/faq-frequently-asked-questions (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Municipality of Glyfada — Alarm sirens and parish bells will sound throughout Greece on October 1 — https://glyfada.gr/en/alarm-sirens-and-parish-bells-will-sound-throughout-greece-on-october-1/ (accessed 2026-10-20); published 2025-09-26
- Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection — General Instructions — https://civilprotection.gov.gr/en/protection-guidelines/general-instructions (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection — Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Incidents — https://civilprotection.gov.gr/en/protection-guidelines/chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear-incidents (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Greece, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Υπουργείο Κλιματικής Κρίσης και Πολιτικής Προστασίας · FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) – 112 checked 2026-10-20
- Municipality of Glyfada · Alarm sirens and parish bells will sound throughout Greece on October 1 checked 2026-10-20
- Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection · General Instructions checked 2026-10-20
- Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection · Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Incidents checked 2026-10-20