Germany is revamping its civil defense strategy by turning metro stations and public buildings into bomb shelters, reflecting growing fears of war with Russia. The Federal Office for Civil Protection is spearheading the initiative to address severe gaps in shelter capacity.
Currently, Germany has only 579 public shelters, enough for just 500,000 people, leaving most of its 84.4 million citizens vulnerable. Officials are identifying existing structures that can be adapted for emergency use and are developing a mobile app to guide residents to nearby shelters during a crisis.
The decision reverses years of neglect in Germany’s civil defense planning. The country began dismantling its bunker network in 2007, assuming such infrastructure was no longer necessary. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and threats against NATO-aligned nations have prompted a dramatic reassessment.
Authorities are also encouraging residents to create personal shelters in their homes. Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection, acknowledged the long-term challenges, noting that building a new bunker network could take a generation.
Opposition lawmakers, including CDU MP Andrea Lindholz, have called for faster action. “Even though we hope this situation doesn’t arise, we must be prepared to protect the public in the event of an emergency,” Lindholz said, urging the government to follow Poland’s example of including shelters in all new construction.
Germany’s renewed focus on civil defense highlights the challenges of preparing for potential large-scale conflict in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
