The EU's 2025 preparedness strategy lists, alongside natural disasters and cyber attacks, the possibility of armed aggression against member states, and recommends that every household can manage on its own for at least 72 hours. This page is only about protecting civilians: how to take shelter, prepare and stay informed.
The immediate-danger signal
For military combat the immediate danger signal sounds: 60 seconds of continuous wailing tone. The end is marked by the end of danger signal: 60 seconds of steady tone. All the signals are on the siren signals page.
When you hear immediate danger:
- Take shelter in the nearest solid building straight away. If you know where the nearest shelter is and can get there quickly, go there.
- Inside, go to a room without windows or as far from them as you can, ideally a basement or the inner part of the building.
- Turn on the radio or television, or follow the messages on your phone, and do as instructed.
- Stay under cover until the end-of-danger signal or until the authorities tell you otherwise.
Prepare in advance
- Find out where the nearest shelter is to your home and work. Civil protection is also organised at town and municipality level, so ask your town or municipality.
- A 72-hour kit, ready to go.
- Documents: ID card, passport, health insurance card, prescriptions, proof of property. Copies in the kit, and if possible with someone outside town.
- Cash, because card payments depend on power and network.
- A family plan: meeting place, contact outside town, who collects the children.
- A supply of the medicines you take regularly, agreed with your doctor.
- A battery radio. See no power or network.
Evacuation
- Leave home when the authorities tell you to, by the routes they give.
- Take the kit and documents, shut off gas, water and power, lock up.
- Tell the person in your family plan where you're going.
Information and disinformation
- Instructions come through sirens, radio and television and as HR-Alert messages on your phone. Official sites: civilna-zastita.gov.hr, vlada.gov.hr, HRT.
- In a crisis, fake news and fake instructions spread. Before you share something, check an official source has published it.
- Don't call 112 for information. The lines are needed for rescue.
- Don't post photos or locations of military vehicles, units or damage. They can put you and others at risk.
Unexploded ordnance
- Don't touch, move or approach unknown objects that look like a shell, a mine or parts of a missile.
- Leave the way you came, remember the spot and call 192 or 112.
- Warn others, especially children.