Sirens and alerts in Cyprus: what each signal means

Short answer. Cyprus warns the public with Civil Defence sirens, the CY-Alert cell broadcast system presented on 26 May 2026, and push alerts in the SafeCY app since March 2026 ¹²³. A fluctuating siren tone means the alarm has started: take protective action at once. A steady continuous tone means the immediate danger has passed ¹.

What do the siren signals mean?

Sirens are activated only by the competent authorities when there is immediate or imminent danger ¹. The electronic siren system can also broadcast voice messages audible up to about 400 m ⁴. The 2002 Συναγερμός leaflet states that the alarm is declared by the Minister of Interior after approval by the Council of Ministers ⁴.

What is CY-Alert?

CY-Alert is the national public warning system, based on the EU-Alert standard and presented on 26 May 2026 ³. Messages are broadcast from mobile antennas to all compatible phones in an area; there is no registration and it is anonymous ⁵. Only Cyprus Civil Defence issues them ⁵. Alert levels ⁵:

1. Extreme national alert
2. Extreme threat
3. Severe threat
4. Public safety message
5. Kidnapping – missing person

Test and Exercise messages also exist ⁵. For help setting up your phone, call the government helpline 1450 ³.

What does the SafeCY app add?

Since 11 March 2026 Civil Defence can send emergency notifications through SafeCY, nationwide or targeted to an affected area ². Enable notifications and set location access to "always allow" ². In March 2026 the Minister noted that SMS alerts had been sent according to the address registered with the operator rather than the phone's location, and described SafeCY notifications as an interim measure until the early-warning system was completed ⁶.

What should I do when the alarm sounds?

• Stay calm and follow the radio, TV and the authorities' official channels; do not spread rumours ¹.
• Prepare to move to a shelter or safe place if instructed, and follow Civil Defence instructions ¹.
• With a SafeCY alert: go to the basement if the building has one; otherwise stay inside away from windows, glass and doors; if outside, go to the nearest indoor space ².
• If caught outside during an alarm, lie face down and cover your head, preferably in a ditch or hollow ⁴.
• Drivers must pull over to the edge of the road ⁴.

See also public shelters and our air-raid alert guide.

What is the legal basis?

The Civil Defence Law 1996 (N. 117(I)/96), section 8(2)(ζ), allows regulations on alarms, dispersal and evacuation of the population ⁷.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register for CY-Alert?

No. CY-Alert reaches compatible phones in the area without registration ⁵.

Is the 2002 siren leaflet still valid?

It is still on the Civil Defence flyers page ⁴, and the 2026 instructions use the same start and end tones ¹.

Will I get alerts if my phone is set to another country?

Cell broadcast reaches compatible phones in the area ⁵. For phone settings, call 1450 ³.

Should I also have a radio?

Yes. The mobilisation signal tells you to turn on the radio ⁴, and a battery radio is on the official kit list ⁸. See our emergency radio guide.

Sources

1. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών & Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας — Οδηγίες αυτοπροστασίας σε περίπτωση κινδύνου από εχθρική ενέργεια — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/odigies-aftoprostasias-se-periptosi-kindynou-apo-echthriki-energeia/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Υφυπουργείο Έρευνας, Καινοτομίας και Ψηφιακής Πολιτικής & Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών — Κοινό Ανακοινωθέν Υπουργείου Εσωτερικών και Υφυπουργείου Έρευνας, Καινοτομίας και Ψηφιακής Πολιτικής: Νέα λειτουργικότητα στην εφαρμογή SafeCY για άμεση ενημέρωση των πολιτών σε περιπτώσεις κινδύνου ή έκτακτης ανάγκης — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/koino-anakoinothen-ypourgeiou-esoterikon-kai-yfypourgeiou-erevnas-kainotomias-kai-psifiakis-politikis-nea-leitourgikotita-stin-efarmogi-safecy-gia-amesi-enimerosi-ton-politon-se-periptoseis-kindynou/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Cyprus Civil Defence — CY-Alert: Launch of the National Public Warning System — https://www.gov.cy/moi-cd/en/uncategorized/cy-alert-launch-of-the-national-public-warning-system/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. Δύναμη Πολιτικής Άμυνας / Γραφείο Τύπου και Πληροφοριών (Γ.Τ.Π. 172/2002) — Συναγερμός — https://web.archive.org/web/2025/https://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/CD/cd.nsf/All/E742FDC2B4F5C2B3C225858800317F34/$file/Συναγερμός.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. Cyprus Civil Defence (CY-Alert) — Frequently Asked Questions - CY-Alert — https://www.gov.cy/cy-alert/en/frequently-asked-questions/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
6. Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών — Δηλώσεις του Υπουργού Εσωτερικών κ. Κωνσταντίνου Ιωάννου για τα καταφύγια, τις αποφάσεις του Υπουργικού Συμβουλίου και την εφαρμογή SafeCY — https://www.gov.cy/esoterika-themata/diloseis-tou-ypourgou-esoterikon-k-konstantinou-ioannou-gia-ta-katafygia-tis-apofaseis-tou-ypourgikou-symvouliou-kai-tin-efarmogi-safecy/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
7. Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία – Επίσημη Εφημερίδα, Παρ. Ι(Ι), Αρ. 3111, 31.12.1996 — Ο περί Πολιτικής Άμυνας Νόμος του 1996 (Ν. 117(Ι)/96) — https://web.archive.org/web/2025/https://www.moi.gov.cy/MOI/CD/cd.nsf/All/88827CD3A3ABD2A9C22584F90025F41B/$file/Ο ΠΕΡΙ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΜΥΝΑΣ ΝΟΜΟΣ ΤΟΥ 1996.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
8. Cyprus Civil Defence / Press and Information Office — Family Communication Emergency Plan (P.I.O. 41/2026) — https://www.gov.cy/media/sites/156/2025/12/English-familyPlan.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)