Germany to Build a Million Bunkers as War Fears Grow

Germany is preparing to embark on a sweeping national infrastructure programme that will see the construction or adaptation of one million civilian shelter spaces over the next decade, in what officials are calling a critical response to rising geopolitical threats.

Ralph Tiesler, head of Germany’s Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), revealed that his agency is drawing up an ambitious civil defence strategy to protect the population from potential conflict scenarios, including a direct threat from Russia. 

“For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare. That has changed,” Tiesler told Süddeutsche Zeitung. “We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.”

The plan includes retrofitting existing infrastructure—such as metro stations, underground garages, tunnels, and the basements of public buildings—into secure shelters. 

BBK aims to rapidly increase shelter capacity from the current 580 operational bunkers, which can only accommodate around 480,000 people—just 0.5% of the country’s population.

Germany once maintained nearly 2,000 bunkers during the Cold War, but most have since been decommissioned or fallen into disrepair. By contrast, Finland has 50,000 functional shelters, covering 85% of its population.

Tiesler estimates the programme will cost at least €10 billion over the next four years, with an additional €30 billion required over the following decade. He warned that newly built bunkers, while offering superior protection, would take years to design and construct. 

“New bunker systems with very high protection requirements cost a lot of money and time,” he said, adding that relying solely on new builds would be a strategic error.

Instead, the BBK is prioritising speed and cost-effectiveness by adapting existing civil structures. A detailed construction and logistics plan is due later this year, and the agency lobbies for a share of the €500 billion emergency infrastructure fund approved by the Bundestag in March after Germany suspended its debt limit.

RELATED: Japan Builds 3D-Printed Railway Station in 6 Hours

The renewed urgency follows intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, and broader concerns that the conflict could spill further into Europe. 

“The national government has made it clear it wants to stabilise the defence and civil preparedness infrastructure,” Tiesler said, pointing to a race against time.

Beyond construction, the plan also includes digital and analogue upgrades to Germany’s warning systems, including hardened apps, upgraded sirens, and new signage directing civilians to shelters. 

The BBK is also considering a national civil protection service, either voluntary or compulsory.

Citizens are being urged to play their part. “Our appeal is: build up enough supplies to last you 10 days, if possible,” said Tiesler. “But even a supply for at least 72 hours would be very helpful.”

If fully funded, the initiative would mark one of Germany’s largest civil infrastructure efforts since the post-war era, with direct implications for the construction sector, engineering consultants, and materials suppliers across the country.

Join 15,000+ pros getting our weekly digest of news and insights.