Germany schedules sixth nationwide warning day with Cell Broadcast all-clear debut

Nationwide alert scheduled for Thursday

Germany will conduct its sixth nationwide warning day on Thursday, 10 September 2026, to test civil protection and emergency alert infrastructure across the country. The exercise is organised jointly by the federal government, the 16 federal states, and municipal disaster authorities. Starting at 11:00, the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) will transmit a test warning text across multiple channels through the satellite-supported Modular Warning System, known as MoWaS. The test will run across broadcast stations, digital information billboards, sirens, warning apps such as NINA and Katwarn, and direct mobile transmissions. An all-clear notice will follow at 11:45 across the same communication routes.

First all-clear transmission via Cell Broadcast

A key addition to this year's exercise is the first nationwide test of all-clear messages delivered directly via Cell Broadcast. The capability was introduced at the end of November 2025, expanding a mobile channel first tested nationwide in 2022 that previously could only push initial alerts. The cancellation notice will arrive on compatible mobile devices as a level 3 warning, which the BBK recommends users activate in their phone settings. Cell Broadcast requires no app installation and delivers push notifications to all connected devices within an active cellular radio cell. Mobile phones running Android 11 or iOS 16.1 and above will trigger an audible tone even when switched to silent mode, provided they are powered on and not in flight mode.

Security environment and ministerial focus

Federal and state authorities frame the annual test around an elevated threat landscape that includes cyberattacks on energy suppliers, drone sightings over military barracks and industrial facilities, and terrorism risks. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted that the risk of attacks must be accounted for at all times. Hessen Interior Minister Roman Poseck explained the operational need for routine public warning tests in light of current risks.

The current security situation shows us how important it is that we can reach the population quickly, reliably and understandably in an emergency.

State officials emphasise that the exercise serves both to expose technical bottlenecks and to ensure that residents recognise siren tones and emergency push instructions.

State siren networks and regional preparations

Federal states are deploying a mix of digital and analogue alert tools, with siren modernization varying significantly across regions. Hessen reports 4,074 active sirens, of which 85% are digitized on the Tetra BS digital radio network, enabling statewide activations within one to two seconds. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern operates approximately 1,700 sirens and plans further expansions. Christian Pegel, the interior minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, commented on the infrastructure program.

Together with the federal government, the rural districts and the independent cities, we are working continuously to further expand the warning infrastructure and better link the various warning tools.

Hamburg has 205 operational sirens, including around 120 in storm surge zones and over 80 across the wider urban area, while discontinuing its traditional harbour cannon firing warnings. Hamburg will also initiate an advance test on apps and public screens at 10:45, fifteen minutes before the national broadcast.