Authorities in Germany are preparing to convert underground stations and other public buildings into bomb shelters, citing the growing risk of war with Russia.
According to Bild newspaper, the Federal Office for Civil Protection is actively researching public spaces that could be repurposed as shelters. The agency also plans to launch an app to help residents locate nearby shelters during emergencies.
The German public will be encouraged to build private shelters in their homes, particularly in basements. This shift comes after Germany reduced its public shelter network in 2007, when authorities deemed it unnecessary.
Currently, Germany—a country with a population of 84.4 million people—has only 579 public shelters, capable of accommodating just 500,000 individuals.
Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection, emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that it could take years to rebuild a robust network of shelters. He called for faster solutions to address potential threats.
To expedite preparations, authorities have begun compiling a comprehensive list of potential shelter sites, including underground stations, offices, and other public buildings. In addition, they are developing a civil protection app with a live map showing the nearest available shelters. A public awareness campaign is also being planned to educate citizens on self-protection measures.
The opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) criticized the government’s preparedness for Russian air strikes, urging an immediate increase in shelter capacity. CDU MP Andrea Lindholz stated, “Although we hope that such a situation will not arise, we must be prepared to protect the population in an emergency. We need to significantly increase shelter capacity in Germany.”
Lindholz pointed to Poland as a proactive example. Starting in 2026, Poland will require all new buildings to include access to emergency shelters. The country has also identified temporary shelters such as underground stations and tunnels to protect its entire population.
For comparison, the British research organization Subterranea Britannica reports that the United Kingdom has 276 bunkers designed to safeguard the population during a nuclear attack.
