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Is the word alertar the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No.

While the meaning and spelling of "alertar" are identical in both varieties, there are differences in grammar and typical usage.

In terms of grammar, the placement of object pronouns (clitics) differs; Brazilian Portuguese (BP) frequently uses proclisis (placing the pronoun before the verb, e.g., te alertar), whereas Continental Portuguese (EP) typically uses enclisis (placing the pronoun after the verb, e.g., alertar-te). In terms of usage, the preferred prepositions vary: Brazilians often use "alertar sobre" or "alertar que," while Portuguese speakers more commonly use "alertar para."

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu vou te alertar sobre o perigo. (I will alert you about the danger.)
  2. O aplicativo alertou que a bateria está acabando. (The app alerted that the battery is running out.)
  3. O professor alertou os alunos sobre a prova. (The teacher alerted the students about the exam.)
  4. Ele me alertou que o trânsito estava ruim. (He alerted me that the traffic was bad.)
  5. O sistema alertou sobre a fumaça. (The system alerted about the smoke.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Vou alertar-te para o perigo. (I will alert you to the danger.)
  2. A aplicação alertou para a bateria estar a acabar. (The app alerted to the battery running out.)
  3. O professor alertou os alunos para a prova. (The teacher alerted the students to the exam.)
  4. Ele alertou-me para o facto de o trânsito estar mau. (He alerted me to the fact that the traffic was bad.)
  5. O sistema alertou para o fumo. (The system alerted to the smoke.)