Germany’s Federal Agency for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, led by President Ralph Tiesler, has announced plans to create one million shelter spaces to enhance national preparedness. In an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Tiesler outlined the initiative, which requires €10 billion over the next four years and €30 billion in the following decade to construct and upgrade facilities across the country.

A disused bunker near the German city of Gotha. Germany has just 580 bunkers now, many of them not operational. That’s down from nearly 2,000 during the Cold War

Currently, Germany has only 580 bunkers, many of which are non-operational, a significant reduction from nearly 2,000 during the Cold War. According to the newspaper, just 5% of the population could access shelter in an emergency. Tiesler stated: “For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario we needed to prepare for. That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.”

To address this, the agency plans to modernize metro stations, tunnels, underground garages, and basements of public buildings to serve as shelters. Tiesler noted: “New bunker systems with very high protection requirements cost a lot of money and time.” The project will utilize a portion of the €500 billion emergency infrastructure fund approved by the Bundestag in March.

The initiative offers opportunities for German contractors, as the construction of shelters will involve significant infrastructure work. By upgrading existing facilities and building new ones, the agency aims to ensure greater safety and resilience for communities nationwide. This effort reflects a broader commitment to strengthening infrastructure to meet modern challenges while supporting economic activity through construction projects.