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FAQ

  • I try to log in, but get the message 'Login not valid'.

    To log in, you must have an account. You can create an account using the orange "Sign Up" button. Fill in the necessary details. After you click the 'Create an account' button, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Click on the link in this e-mail. You are now correctly registered on BE-Alert. On your next visit, you can sign in at the top.

    Do you already have an account and got this error message? Please contact us via the contact form.
     

  • I can't click on the 'Create account' button.

    Check if: 

    • you have checked the box giving consent for your personal data to be collected. 
    • you have chosen a password that contains at least 8 characters, 1 capital letter and 1 number. 
  • I can't enter a post code.

    First enter your main municipality. Then you can choose the appropriate post code. 

    E.g. If you live in Borgerhout. Enter the main municipality of Antwerp by typing the initial letters ANT. Click on Antwerp. Then you get a list of possible post codes for Antwerp. Select 2140.
     

     

  • I have not received a confirmation e-mail.

    Check your spam folder. Have you not received an e-mail there either? Then send us a message using the contact form

    Please note that you will receive a confirmation e-mail only after you have created your account. 
     

  • I can't enter a phone number.

    Do you have a Belgian phone number? Enter your number without the country code (+32) and without extraneous characters (such as a slash or a full stop). 
    If you have a foreign phone number, then enter your country code. 

     

     

  • I got the error message ‘Invalid Captcha'. What should I do?

    If you get the error message 'Invalid Captcha', you probably forgot to check the box indicating that you are not a robot. 
    You will find this box immediately above the orange "Create an Account" button.

  • My municipality is not signed up to BE-Alert. Is it useful for me to register?

    Even if your municipality does not yet have BE-Alert, it is still useful to register. Even the governor of your province can activate BE-Alert. 
    You can also add up to 5 addresses to your profile. For example, your workplace or the address of vulnerable family members. This way you will always stay informed. 
     

  • What do I need to do to receive a message from BE-Alert?

    To receive a message, you must be subscribed to BE-Alert. You can fill out this online form

    Fill in as many fields as possible. You will then always get the correct information, no matter which channel the government chooses. 
     

  • What do I need to do to receive a message from BE-Alert based on my location?

    You don't have to do anything for this. If your mobile phone is connected to a transmitter mast in the risk zone, you will receive a text message. 

    It is still important to register on BE-Alert. This way you will be notified in the event of an emergency even if you are not present at the time. For example, if you live in a flood zone, you could receive a message alerting you about the rise in water levels, even if you yourself are not at home at the time.

  • Does BE-Alert comply with privacy requirements?

    Whether for alerts based on voluntary enrolment or for location-based alerts, the BE-Alert system observes the various privacy rules and regulations.

    These regulations are as follows:

    • the General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679 EU): Article 6(1)(a) for BE-Alert (registration of citizens in a database to alert them in case of an emergency) and Article 6(1)(c), (d) and (e) (text alert);
    • the Act of 8 December 1992 on the protection of personal data;
    • Opinion 34/2015 issued on 09/09/2015 by the Commission for the Protection of Privacy (registration of citizens in a database to alert them in case of an emergency);
    • Opinion 56/2015 issued on 16/12/2015 by the Commission for the Protection of Privacy (text alert).

    In accordance with this legislation, the citizens who decide to register in the BE-Alert database can consult, modify or delete their data at any time. These data will not be transferred to third parties or to countries outside the European Union. Currently, the data centres are all located in Belgium, with the exception of one in France. Moreover, authorities can ask mobile telecom operators to send a text message (SMS) to all their subscribers present in a particular region when their lives are at risk. Under no circumstances do authorities have access to these data, which, by the way, are not stored by name. Operators do not have, or provide, information about the exact location of mobile phones. Click here for more information on the National Crisis Center privacy statement.

  • Why have I not received a BE-Alert message?

    Your mayor, governor or the Interior Minister can alert the public in several ways: 

    • To everyone subscribed to BE-Alert 
    • Based on your location 

    Registered but haven't received anything? Then there are several possible reasons for this:

    • The authorities sent a public interest message and you indicated that you do not want to receive these (you can edit this setting on your online profile)
    • Your contact information is not correct (anymore)
    • Your mobile phone memory is full or your phone had poor reception at the time the alert was being sent 
    • The telecom operator's services have slowed down. As a result, you will not receive the message until later. 

    The authorities sent out a message based on location but you haven't received anything? Then there are several possible reasons for this: 

    • You were not in the risk zone at the time the alert was being sent
    • Your phone had no connection with a transmitter mast in the risk zone for more than 2 hours (e.g. because you were making a call or you were connected to another mast) 
    • Your mobile phone memory is full or your phone had poor reception at the time the alert was being sent 
    • The telecom operator's services have slowed down. As a result, you will not receive the message until later. 
       
  • Is BE-Alert free of charge?

    Yes, subscribing to BE-Alert is free. Also, the messages you get are free. 

  • How can I still receive a message if the phone network is congested?

    If the telephone network is congested, this could affect BE-Alert's working order. In that case, the authorities will alert you through other channels

  • Can BE-Alert be used outside of an emergency situation?

    All messages from 1789 are sent in the context of a risk to the public. 

    If you get a text message from 8686, you may get a notice of general interest (e.g. change in rubbish collection). In your online profile, you choose whether you want to receive these messages.
     

  • Is BE-Alert used systematically for every emergency?

    Not necessarily. BE-Alert will not always be the most appropriate alert channel. In some cases, BE-Alert will not be selected: 

    • When BE-Alert is not the best channel because of the time of day (night-time) or location (e.g. industrial estate which is non-residential)
    • When the emergency situation does not require alerting 
    • If your municipality is not connected to BE-Alert. In that case, your municipality will alert you in a different way. It is still important to enrol. The governor of your province can also activate BE-Alert. Check here to see if your municipality is connected to BE-Alert
       
  • How can I be sure that it is an official message from BE-Alert?

    You can recognise a message from BE-Alert by its sender. The alert numbers are unique to Belgium.

    • A text message from the number 1789
    • A telephone call from the number 04/77.77.77.55

    Read more about these numbers here
     

  • I don't have a smartphone. Can I still subscribe to BE-Alert?

    Yes, you can receive a text message, call or e-mail no matter what device or operator you have. As long as you're registered on BE-Alert. 

  • How should I respond if I have received a message from BE-Alert?

    Follow the recommendations in the message. 

    • If you must take shelter, go inside the nearest building, close windows and doors, and listen to the media. Also follow the social media channels of your municipality, province and the National Crisis Centre.
    • If you must evacuate, follow the guidelines of the authorities and on-site emergency and intervention services.