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Netherlands to Retire Nationwide Sirens in 2028 After Funding Shortfall

The shift moves emergency warnings to phones, raising concerns about people who lack reliable access.

Overview

  • The justice minister, in a letter to parliament on Monday, confirmed maintenance ends on December 31, 2027 and the siren network will start winding down on January 1, 2028.
  • NL-Alert will become the main warning tool and the government says it reaches about 92 percent of people in emergencies.
  • The NL-Alert app is being upgraded for accessibility, including support in Dutch Sign Language for users with hearing or vision impairments.
  • Regional safety leaders and a seniors’ group warn phone alerts can miss people who do not carry a mobile, keep it off, or struggle with digital tools.
  • Officials say the current sirens are hard to hear in new housing and high-rise areas and would need about 500 extra sites to maintain earlier coverage levels.