Estonia Emergency Guide: EE-ALARM and Sirens

Emergency Preparedness in Estonia

Estonia has built a new public warning system, EE-ALARM, and in recent years delivered a printed crisis guide to more than 580,000 households in Estonian, Russian, English and Ukrainian. This page explains the essentials in English for residents, students, workers and visitors.

Emergency numbers

112 All emergencies: ambulance, rescue and police
1247 National information line during crises

How you will be warned

EE-ALARM

EE-ALARM is the national warning system. It uses several channels at the same time: text messages (SMS) to phones in the affected area, sirens, mobile apps and text on public television.
Warnings are also sent through the "Be prepared" (Ole valmis) app and the Estonia app, and shown on the channels of the public broadcaster ERR: ETV, ETV+, ERR.ee and the ERR News app.
Sirens are installed mainly in the largest towns and may not be heard indoors. Do not rely on them alone.
A cell broadcast system, which sounds an alert on phones even on silent, is planned.
Check that your phone is set to receive the SMS in a language you understand.

When the siren sounds

In Estonia the siren always means the same thing: take shelter indoors.

Go at once to the nearest indoor space, as low as possible, ideally a basement.
Choose a room with solid walls and away from windows, with at least two solid walls between you and the outside. Bathrooms and stairwells often work.
If you are outdoors with no building near, lie down in a ditch or low spot and cover your head.
Then look for information: the SMS, the apps, ERR or the 1247 line.

Tests

The warning system is tested several times a year. In 2026 the test dates were 18 March, 10 June and 14 October, with sirens and notifications between 15:00 and 15:10 and an advance SMS around noon.

What the authorities ask you to have at home

The Estonian Rescue Board asks households to keep supplies at home so they can cope on their own, and recommends planning for about one week. The official guide covers home supplies, an evacuation kit, how to respond to sirens, evacuation and sheltering.

Drinking water and food that keeps and needs little cooking
Medicines and a first aid kit
A battery radio, flashlight, power bank and spare batteries
Cash
A way to keep warm and to cook without electricity
An evacuation bag with documents

Work out the amounts with our kit calculator and see the home kit for 7 days.

Shelters

Estonia marks public places of shelter in existing buildings, and municipalities publish their locations.
If you cannot reach one, use a basement or an inner room without windows.