Belgium Emergency Guide: BE-Alert and 112

Emergency Preparedness in Belgium

Belgium's National Crisis Centre launched a four-year campaign in 2026 asking every household to be able to cope on its own for at least 72 hours. Its alert system, BE-Alert, works a little differently from most of Europe: you get the most out of it if you register. This page explains the essentials in English for residents, students, workers and visitors.

Emergency numbers

112 Fire and ambulance, and all emergencies
101 Police
1733 Out-of-hours doctor

How you will be warned

BE-Alert

BE-Alert lets a mayor, provincial governor or the Minister of the Interior warn the population in an emergency. The message says what happened and what to do to be safe.
It can reach you by text message, voice call and email. In some places messages also appear on digital boards along the roads.
Register on the BE-Alert website with your address, and the addresses of people you care for, such as your children's school or an elderly parent. Registration and messages are free.
BE-Alert can also send a text message to everyone in a given area, registered or not.

Sirens

Sirens exist mainly around nuclear and major industrial sites. Do not rely on them elsewhere.

What the authorities ask you to have at home

The National Crisis Centre asks every household to be ready to cope on its own for at least 72 hours:

Home supplies for three days: water, non-perishable food, basic medical items, flashlights, batteries, cash and hygiene products
A grab bag for leaving quickly: food, water, important documents, a phone charger and first aid supplies

Work out the amounts with our kit calculator and see the 72-hour kit on a budget and the go-bag checklist.