Germany has launched a vast plan to strengthen its civil protection infrastructure and improve its crisis preparedness, amid heightened geopolitical tensions with Russia. The Interior Ministry confirmed on Monday that a national inventory of bunkers and other potential shelter spaces is underway, an initiative aimed at increasing protection capacity for the population.
Currently, the country has 579 bunkers, capable of accommodating around 480,000 people, a largely insufficient figure for a country of 83 million inhabitants. These installations date mainly from World War II and the Cold War. The goal is to locate and assess all buildings, including private structures like basements, garages and subway stations, that could be used as shelters. A digital directory will be developed so that citizens can locate these spaces via their mobile phones.
Civil security policy
At the same time, the German authorities are encouraging citizens to set up their own domestic shelters, an initiative which demonstrates the desire to involve the population in this process. These measures are part of a review of civil security policies, particularly after Germany suspended the sale of public bunkers since 2022, marking a break with the practices of recent decades.
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This infrastructure inventory and improvement plan will take time, the ministry said, without providing a precise timetable. The German authorities, aware of the logistical challenges, nevertheless consider this project as a strategic priority to strengthen the country's resilience in the face of current threats. This mobilization occurs in a context where security threats are increasing. Recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the conflict in Ukraine a “world” war and not ruling out strikes against Western countries.
