72-hour emergency kit checklist for Europe

What the 72-hour benchmark means

The European Commission's Preparedness Union Strategy includes developing guidelines to help people remain self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. This is a preparedness target, not a promise that emergency services will arrive or supplies will be restored within three days.

Use this checklist as a starting point and follow the guidance of the civil protection authority in your country. PrepKit is an independent tool that organises public recommendations; it is not an official authority.

What to include

Build the kit around five categories and adjust quantities to the number of people, pets and any medical needs in your household.

• Water: at least 2 litres per person per day for drinking, more if you can store it.
• Food: shelf-stable items you can eat without cooking, plus a manual can opener.
• Light and power: torches, spare batteries, a power bank and a battery or hand-crank radio.
• Health: personal medication, a basic first aid kit and any prescription details.
• Documents and cash: copies of ID, insurance papers and some cash in small notes, since card payments can fail during outages.

Where to keep it

Store the kit in a single container that is easy to carry, ideally near an exit and known to every adult in the household. If you live in a flat, keep it away from the only route you would use to evacuate in a fire, not blocking it.

Keep it current

Set a reminder every six months to rotate food and water close to their expiry date, replace medication as advised by your pharmacist, and test torches, radios and power banks. Update the kit whenever your household size or needs change.

Start with what you already have

Open Kit in the navigation and choose one category to review. Check the supplies you already own before considering anything new.

Tick only the items you have checked, then choose one missing item or task to address next. You can use the checklist without buying anything.