Short answer. Portugal warns the public mainly by a free, location-based SMS sent by the mobile operators at ANEPC's request, from the sender AvisoPROCIV, in use since 2018 1. Radio, TV, ANEPC's website and social media and the MAI Mobile app also carry warnings 1. Sirens are local only: tsunami sirens on parts of the coast and dam-break sirens 12. No EU-Alert cell broadcast system was found in service.
How does the AvisoPROCIV SMS work?
The "Aviso à população por SMS" is sent by the mobile operators, at ANEPC's request, to phones in or near the affected area 1. It is free and needs no registration. Visitors roaming in Portugal receive it in Portuguese and English. Each message includes an ANEPC phone number for questions. It is used only in exceptional situations 1.
Its legal basis is Decreto-Lei n.º 2/2019 of 11 January, which set up the national system for risk monitoring, special alert and public warning 1.
Check the sender. ANEPC states that the sender always appears as AvisoPROCIV, and that messages from senders that merely look similar must be ignored 1.
You can opt out by sending a form to geral@prociv.pt, but ANEPC does not recommend it 1.
What do the warning levels mean?
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aviso preventivo | A given risk is increasing in a given area 1 |
| Aviso de ação | Take specific self-protection measures during a defined period in a given area 1 |
Does Portugal have air-raid sirens?
No national siren network was found 1. Two kinds of local sirens exist 1:
- Tsunami sirens on parts of the coast, activated by municipalities. In the Lisbon Metropolitan Area they stand in Lisbon (Praça do Império in Belém, Ribeira das Naus) and Cascais (Teatro Gil Vicente, Praia da Azarujinha, Estoril promenade), alongside digital information panels 2.
- Dam sirens in dam self-rescue zones, activated by the dam owners 1.
No official description of the siren tone was found. Small communities may also be warned by megaphones or bells, and teams may go door to door 1.
What other channels carry warnings?
ANEPC lists its website and social media, radio and TV (broadcasting on its request), the MAI Mobile app from the Ministry of Internal Administration, electronic panels for tsunamis, and door-to-door warning 1. A battery or crank radio keeps you informed if the mobile network fails; see our emergency radio guide.
Is cell broadcast coming to Portugal?
No cell broadcast system was found in service, and no official test or launch was announced as of 20 October 2026. The press reported a March 2023 government act asking ANEPC, SGMAI and ANACOM to study and start one; Phaenyx did not read that legal text.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to sign up for alerts in Portugal?
No. The SMS reaches phones in the area automatically and free of charge 1.
Will I get alerts as a tourist?
Yes. Phones roaming in Portugal receive the SMS in Portuguese and English 1.
What should I do when a tsunami siren sounds?
Follow the instructions of the authorities; see our tsunami guide and air-raid and siren guide.
How do I recognise a fake alert?
Genuine messages always come from AvisoPROCIV; ignore look-alike senders 1.
Sources
- ANEPC - Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil — Aviso — https://prociv.gov.pt/pt/prevencao-e-preparacao/monitorizacao-alerta-e-aviso/aviso/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Área Metropolitana de Lisboa — Tsunami Warning and Alert System — https://www.aml.pt/en/iniciativas/sistema-de-aviso-e-alerta-de-tsunami/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Portugal, 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
- ANEPC - Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil · Aviso checked 2026-10-20
- Área Metropolitana de Lisboa · Tsunami Warning and Alert System checked 2026-10-20