Thuringia plans millions of new shelters - is that enough?

Thuringia plans millions of new shelters - is that enough?

On June 11, 2025, the views of developments in the area of ​​population protection in Germany are aimed at. Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier recently emphasized that there are potentially suitable capacities for new shelters. This statement underlines the need for a new beginning, since old shelters were largely no longer available or reorganized. "You have better than you have," said Maier, while emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Timm Fuchs, Head of Unit for Population Protection at the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, supports this perspective and calls for a comprehensive concept for the expansion of shelters. He warns that the municipalities cannot finance the necessary infrastructure without financial support from the federal government. Fuchs compares this process with a marathon run that needs long -term support to be successful.

urgency of the expansion

The current security situation in Europe has influenced the announcement of the Federal Office for Population Protection and disaster assistance (BBK), according to which a million new shelters are to be created in Germany. Ralph Tiesler, President of the BBK, underlines the growing concern about possible war scenarios and the urgency of the expansion. At this point it becomes clear that the need for shelters is not only theoretical, but also becomes more and more urgent in view of the geopolitical developments.

In Germany there are currently around 579 technical shelters that currently offer space for around 477,593 people. These facilities mainly come from the time of the Second World War and are often hardly ready for operation. Since 2007 there have been no maintenance measures, which further tightened the situation. The reversal of protection systems was decided in 2007, but the war in Ukraine has stopped the termination of this reversal.

The expansion should not only take place from existing systems such as tunnels or underground garages, but also include new concepts for stays of several days. Gastronomic facilities, toilets and field beds are intended. Tiesler estimates that at least 30 billion euros will be needed in the next ten years. The European Union has also adopted a new strategy for crisis prevention that relies on cross -border emergency protocols and mutual support.

financial challenges

The financial situation of the municipalities is a great obstacle. Fuchs has pointed out these difficulties and demands a concept that goes beyond the pure provision of shelters. The responsibility for the state of the shelters is mainly left to the cities and municipalities, while the federal government has no ownership of most public shelters. Instead, there is only a contractual right of use.

It was not very paid to the increase in NATO's military skills, but the current geopolitical climate requires rethinking in German society and the entire European security architecture. A team of experts has already started to evaluate the stocking of the shelters and is expected to present a comprehensive concept in the summer of 2025.