Germany Develops Plan to Expand Civilian Shelter Capacity

Facing rising tensions with Russia, Germany is cataloging bunkers and exploring new protective measures for civilian safety.

Germany currently has 579 public shelters, mostly from World War II and the Cold War, which can accommodate 480,000 people out of a population of 84 million.
The government is creating a digital directory of shelters, including underground train stations, car parks, and private properties, accessible via a planned phone app.
Citizens are being encouraged to retrofit basements and garages as private shelters, while public buildings like metro stations and parking garages are being assessed for conversion.
A national working group is developing a comprehensive civil protection plan, but officials caution that implementation will take significant time and resources.
The renewed focus on civilian defense follows warnings of potential Russian threats to NATO members and increased concerns about espionage and sabotage activities.