You will receive an alert from Germany on September 11. Urgent message for Poles: do not react!

Already on September 11, 2025, precisely on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., thousands of Poles may experience an different event: on their mobile phones they will find loud test informing alert given by German services. It is part of a national “Warning Day” in Germany to check the preparedness of crisis systems. Although the communication concerns only our western neighbours, it can besides cover Poland, especially in the border area. Polish local governments, specified as the authorities of Zielona Góra, Police or Zgorzelca, are already issuing urgent warnings: do not respond to these notifications. knowing the mechanics of the alert and the awareness of its test character is crucial to avoid unnecessary anxiety and misinterpretation.

When and why can Poles receive a German alert?

September 11, 2025, precisely 11:00 p.m., a national alert strategy test will be carried out throughout Germany, known as ‘Warntag’. This is simply a cyclical exercise aimed at verifying the effectiveness of various channels of emergency communication. These include conventional sirens, radio and tv communications, but above all a modern strategy Cell Broadcast. This advanced technology enables text messages to be sent to all active mobile phones within the scope of circumstantial mobile network transmitters, regardless of the operator or the country of origin of the SIM card.

Due to the strategical deployment and the advanced power of German transmitters, the signal of the test alert can besides easy scope mobile telephone users in Poland. This applies not only to residents of voivodships bordering Germany, specified as Lubuskie or Zachodniopomorskie, but besides to people surviving in the country, if they scope a stronger signal. The national Office for the Protection of Population and Aid in the Situations of Food Disasters (BBK), the main organizer of the action, emphasizes that this is simply a regular exercise aimed at preparing Germany in the event of major threats – from natural disasters, technological failures, to the broadly understood consequences of the war. For Poland, this is only a method consequence of geographical proximity.

How do we admit the German message and do what?

The alert that hits the phones will be in form loud informing message, frequently with characteristic, penetrating soundto get the attention of the user immediately. The content of the notification will be displayed in German, which for many Poles may be an additional origin of confusion. That's why The key information for all Polish residents is not to respond to this alert in any way. It is addressed exclusively to German citizens and residents and is intended solely to verify the efficiency of their informing systems under test conditions.

As highlighted in the Communication from the City of Zielona Góra: “In order to avoid unjustified reactions, we inform that a national alert strategy test will be carried out on 11 September 2025 (Thursday) at 11 a.m. in Germany. [...] Do not respond to any informing messages from German mobile telephone networks‘. In Germany, about 45 minutes after the first alert, a signal will be sent to inform about the end of the alarm. In Poland, no specified confirmation or action specified as calling emergency services or evacuation is expected. Ignore this test is an appropriate and recommended response.

Polish local governments warn: Which regions are threatened?

The awareness of the possible scope of the German alert strategy prompted many Polish local governments to issue their own detailed information messages. Authorities Green Mountain, Polic, Zgorzelca, Gubina, Gryfowa and Kowar already actively inform their residents about the upcoming test, frequently utilizing local media and social channels. Their actions are primarily aimed at preventing panic, misunderstandings and unnecessary reports to emergency services that could consequence from a misunderstanding of a foreign-language alert.

Although it is above all the border region that is most susceptible to receiving German messages, Cell Broadcast technology allows the signal to be spread to a crucial distance, especially in open terrain. This means that even people surviving further from the border but in favorable conditions of signal propagation (e.g. on elevations, in tall buildings) can witness this test. Therefore, it is so crucial that information on the deficiency of consequence reaches the widest possible audience in Poland, regardless of their current location.

“Warning Day” in Germany: intent and scope of exercises

The National “Warning Day” is simply a key exercise to rise public awareness of emergency situations and test the effectiveness of existing informing systems in Germany. On September 11, sirens will roar throughout Germany, radio and tv stations will halt broadcasting and test alerts will be sent from mobile phones. The aim is to prepare as best as possible in the event of a crisis and to check whether all systems work reliably and how many citizens are actually alerted in real time.

The German authorities, including the national Office for the Protection of Population and Aid in the Situations of Food Disasters (BBK), take this exercise very seriously. They invest in the improvement and maintenance of modern informing infrastructure, which is simply a fundamental component of national security. This allows for fast and effective information to the public in the event of a real threat to life or health. For Poland, however, it is an chance to remind about the function of informing systems (such as the Polish Government informing System) and how crucial it is to follow only authoritative messages of our own services and authorities.

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