Catalunya’s Protecció Civil is testing the ES-Alert emergency notification system across different regions between September and November. The system sends urgent alerts directly to mobile phones during serious emergencies, and these tests will check whether it’s working properly. Barcelona and surrounding areas will get their test messages on 3 November at 10am.
The tests are happening in four separate rounds based on region. Ponent, Alt Pirineu and Aran got theirs on 10 September, whilst Comarques Gironines and Catalunya Central tested on 16 September. Meanwhile, Camp de Tarragona, Terres de l’Ebre and Penedès received alerts on 30 September. The final test covers Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Maresme, Vallès Occidental and Vallès Oriental.
Everyone in the test zone will get the message, even if they’re just passing through. The alert arrives in Catalan, Spanish, English and Aranese (in the Vall d’Aran only). It clearly states it’s a test and includes a link to an online survey. However, the system doesn’t automatically confirm who received the message, so the Generalitat wants people to fill in the anonymous questionnaire.
ES-Alert only activates during genuine emergencies like chemical accidents, floods, or situations requiring immediate public action such as sheltering indoors. The alerts come with a loud, distinctive sound that’s different from normal calls or messages. When you get one, read it and press the indicated button to stop the noise. Don’t call 112 unless you actually need emergency services.
If you don’t want to receive the test alert, you can turn off your phone or switch it to airplane mode, though some models might still show the message. Another option is to lower the volume like you would for a regular call and read the alert calmly. The system represents a key tool for protecting residents during serious incidents that require quick, widespread communication.
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