The EU’s 72-hour recommendation, explained
3 min read
In 2025, “72 hours” went from civil-protection jargon to headline news. Here is what was actually said, by whom, and what it means for an ordinary home — without the drama.
In short
- On 26 March 2025 the European Commission encouraged people to keep essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours.
- It is one of 30 actions in the EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy, covering natural disasters, blackouts, cyber attacks and more.
- National bodies add the detail: France says 6 litres of water per person; Germany’s BBK asks for at least 3 days and ideally 10.
- The goal is resilience, not alarm: if households can cope for three days, emergency services can focus on those who can’t.
What the EU actually said
The Preparedness Union Strategy, presented on 26 March 2025, sets out 30 actions to help the EU prevent and respond to crises: natural disasters, industrial accidents, pandemics, cyber attacks and conflicts. One of them is aimed at the public: encourage people to take practical measures, such as maintaining essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours in an emergency.
The Commission did not publish a single, EU-wide shopping list. It asks member states to build a culture of preparedness, and leaves the practical guidance to national and regional civil protection services — which is why the details vary from country to country.
Why 72 hours
The first days of a major disruption are usually the hardest. The French government guide puts it directly: “the first 72 hours are often the most trying.” Emergency services prioritise the most serious cases, shops may be closed, card payments and phone networks may not work.
Three days is long enough to cover most power cuts, storms and precautionary evacuations, and short enough to be realistic for a normal household. It is a floor, not a ceiling.
What national authorities recommend
| Who | How long | Water | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| France — SGDSN, guide “Tous responsables” | 72 hours | 6 L per person, bottled | Check the kit twice a year |
| Germany — BBK | At least 3 days, ideally 10 | 1.5 L to drink + 0.5 L to cook, per person and day | Separate go bag: one backpack per person |
| Spain — Protecció Civil de Catalunya | 72 hours | At least 1.5 L per person and day | Basic kit, plus extras for staying home or evacuating |
The lists themselves are strikingly similar: water, food that needs no cooking, a battery or crank radio, a torch, first aid and medication, copies of documents, cash and warm clothes. We have merged them into one go bag checklist.
What it is not
It is not a prediction. The strategy is about being ready for any disruption — a flood, a wildfire, a long blackout like the one that hit Spain and Portugal on 28 April 2025 — not about expecting a particular one. Being prepared is what lets you stay calm when something does happen.
Three things to do this week
- Store water for three days: about 6 litres per person. See how much water to store.
- Put together a bag with the essentials, one per person, near the door. Start from the checklist.
- Agree with your household where the kit is, and how you’ll reach each other if phones are down.
The 72H Kit
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Everything on these lists that belongs in a bag, already chosen, tested and organised into seven modules. For 1–2 people.
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