In 2025 the EU asked every household to be able to get by on its own for at least 72 hours. It didn't publish one list of what that takes. Twenty-four national governments did, and they don't all agree. We compiled their lists into a single checklist and counted how many guides name each item. Here is the result.
The six items all 24 guides list
If you buy nothing else, start here. These are the only items every national guide we compiled agrees on:
- Drinking water: 2 to 3 litres per person per day, so 6 to 9 litres each for 72 hours. See how much water to store.
- A torch or head torch: ideally one per person.
- A radio that works without mains power: battery, solar or crank. See choosing an emergency radio.
- Personal medication: Germany says at least 10 days, Sweden a month.
- A first-aid kit.
- Cash in small notes: card terminals and cash machines stop with the power.
The full 72-hour checklist
Everything below is listed by at least six of the 24 guides. The number shows how many name it.
Water and food
| Item | Guides | For 72 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water | 24 | 6–9 L per person |
| Tinned food, edible cold | 17 | Ready meals, fish, beans, vegetables |
| Ready-to-eat dry food | 16 | Crispbread, nuts, dried fruit, bars |
| Dry staples | 12 | Rice, pasta, oats, for when you can cook |
| Manual can opener | 10 | An electric one is useless |
| Water purification tablets | 6 | A last resort |
Aim for about 2,000 kcal per adult and 1,500 per child per day. Choose food you can eat cold and already like: emergency food that needs no cooking has ideas.
Light, heat and cooking
| Item | Guides |
|---|---|
| Torch or head torch | 24 |
| Candles, matches and a lighter | 19 |
| Blankets and warm clothes | 18 |
| Camping stove and fuel | 13 |
| Sleeping bags | 13 |
| Foil survival blankets | 8 |
Only use a camping stove outdoors or with a window open: it gives off carbon monoxide.
Power and information
| Item | Guides |
|---|---|
| Battery, solar or crank radio | 24 |
| Spare batteries | 22 |
| Charged power bank | 19 |
| Important phone numbers on paper | 17 |
| Phone charger and car charger | 13 |
A 20,000 mAh power bank keeps one phone going for the full three days. See which power bank for a blackout.
Health and hygiene
| Item | Guides |
|---|---|
| Personal medication | 24 |
| First-aid kit | 24 |
| Hand sanitiser and disinfectant | 15 |
| Toilet paper and wet wipes | 14 |
| Strong bin bags | 10 |
| Respiratory masks | 9 |
| Spare glasses and hearing-aid batteries | 8 |
| Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste | 7 |
Money, papers and tools
| Item | Guides |
|---|---|
| Cash in small notes | 24 |
| ID and document copies, in a waterproof pouch | 19 |
| Pocket knife or multi-tool | 11 |
| Fire extinguisher or fire blanket | 9 |
| Spare house and car keys | 7 |
| Duct tape | 6 |
| Whistle | 6 |
If you have to leave
Sixteen guides also want a grab bag packed by the door, with rain gear (10 guides), a paper map (6) and games or books for children (7). The grab bag checklist covers it.
Only if your household needs it
- Pet food and water (17 guides). See emergency kit for pets.
- Infant milk and baby food (14), nappies (7).
- Period products (5).
- Iodine tablets (4), only if your authorities advise it, and only taken when they tell you to.
Is 72 hours enough?
It's the EU's minimum, and most national guides use it. Sweden and Estonia plan for a week, and Germany and Austria for ten to fourteen days. Why 72 hours explains the reasoning. Start with three days, then build up.
Get your own list
Quantities depend on who you live with. Our checklist takes your household and your country's guide and works out how much of each item you need. You can tick off what you already have.