Emergency Preparedness in Bulgaria
Bulgaria introduced BG-ALERT, a system that sends warnings to mobile phones, alongside its national network of sirens. Earthquakes, floods and wildfires are the main natural hazards. This page explains the essentials in English for residents, students, workers and visitors.
Emergency numbers
- 112 All emergencies
How you will be warned
- BG-ALERT sends warning messages to mobile phones in an area affected by a disaster, emergency or other dangerous situation. Tests are announced in advance, usually in the late morning (in 2025: 1 April and 1 October, 11:00 to 11:30). Test messages only arrive if the test channel is switched on in your phone settings. On older Android phones the alert may be titled "Signal from the President".
- Sirens of the National Early Warning and Notification System are tested nationwide on announced dates. They also sound at noon on 2 June, the day of remembrance for Hristo Botev and those who died for Bulgaria, with a minute of silence. That is not an alarm.
- In a real emergency, follow the message on your phone and official information on Bulgarian National Radio and television.
What to have at home
The reference is the European Union's recommendation of at least 72 hours:
- Drinking water and food that keeps
- Medicines and a first aid kit
- A battery radio, flashlight, spare batteries and power bank
- Cash and copies of documents
Work out the amounts with our kit calculator and see the 72-hour kit on a budget.
Main risks to prepare for
Words you will see and hear
- BG-ALERT: the mobile alert system
- Земетресение (zemetresenie): earthquake
- Наводнение (navodnenie): flood
- Пожар (pozhar): fire
- Евакуация (evakuatsiya): evacuation
Official information
See emergency preparedness in other European countries.
Sources
- BTA: National Early Warning System and BG-ALERT to be tested
- BNR: Bulgaria to test BG-ALERT on 2 June
- Fakti: BG-ALERT tests on 1 April and 1 October
Independent educational summary, not an official publication. Always follow instructions from Bulgarian authorities. Last reviewed: November 2026.