What to do if there is a real emergency warning in Germany

In recent years, Germany has made a more concerted effort to improve its national emergency warning system. This has been prompted by several events, namely the coronavirus outbreak, the 2021 floods and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Germany’s Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BKK) now tests the country’s national emergency warning system every September. But what should residents do in the event of a genuine emergency warning?

Which events might trigger an emergency warning in Germany?

There are several kinds of incidents which might lead the BKK to announce an emergency in Germany. For example:

• Electric power breakdown
• Fire
• Floods
• Release of hazardous substances
• Use of war weapons

How will I know about the emergency warning?

If the BKK issues a real emergency warning, you may hear a siren, and you should receive an alert on your mobile phone. 

Unless there is a power cut, the alert may also appear on screens on public transport, on the radio and on television. You should take these alerts seriously and follow any safety instructions issued in the alert.

What should you do if you receive an emergency warning in Germany?

After following the instructions in the immediate emergency message, you should find more information. There are various reliable sources you can go to:

NINA is the Emergency Information and Warning App (Notfall-Informations- und Nachrichten-App) of the BKK. The app is available in eight different languages, and the BKK recommends that residents in Germany have the app downloaded and make sure it is regularly updated.

If you go to the internet for updates, make sure you follow instructions issued by reliable sources. You can go to the BKK’s official website for information.

However, it is essential to remember that you may not have access to more information via usual means, such as apps or the internet. For this reason, the BKK also recommends keeping a battery-powered, wind-up or solar-powered radio at home. You can also use a car radio.

If you opt for a battery-powered radio, remember to buy extra batteries and replace them regularly. If you opt for a wind-up radio, you can receive warning messages during a power cut without batteries.

While the BKK issues local and national warnings, the organisation reminds residents that, “In the event of an incident, follow the directions of the responsible local authorities. Instructions given on site take precedence in case of doubt.”

Where do I take shelter in an emergency in Germany?

Where it is safe to seek shelter depends on the type of emergency. For instance, basements are often dangerous during a flood, but basement rooms in solid constructions can be a safe place to shelter from war weapons.

For more detailed information about sheltering in Germany, you can read this page on the BKK website. You can also ask your local authority for information about where to find your nearest local emergency shelter. Write the information down and keep it safe.

How can I best prepare for an emergency in Germany?

The BKK recommends that people prepare for emergency situations because they often come as a surprise. Most fundamentally, the BKK and the EU recommend that households stockpile food and medicines.

The BKK advises having enough food and drinking water to last for 10 days. Each household should keep approximately 14 litres of liquid per person in stock for each week. Stockpiled foods should be able to keep for long periods without refrigeration and should be edible uncooked. Recommendations include tinned ravioli, tinned beans, dried fruits, nuts and preserved meats.

You should also think about which important documents you might need to take with you in an emergency. The BKK advises organising important personal documents into a folder that you can easily access, for example, if you have to leave your house quickly due to a fire.

It is also advisable to withdraw a lump amount of cash, in case of a power cut which leaves cash points and electronic payment services out of order.

In any case, it is recommended to read the BKK’s brochure on how to respond in an emergency. The brochure is available in English and contains checklists to help you get organised. It might be helpful to print the brochure so you can access it without internet or electricity.