The Danish government and municipalities have agreed to conduct a joint review of the nation’s shelters, assessing their capacity and condition. This agreement, outlined in a recently presented economic plan, emphasizes the importance of maintaining civil protection measures, particularly concerning shelters, given the current threat landscape.

While the agreement highlights the need for this review, it does not specify the amount of funding allocated to the project, nor does it detail whether resources will be provided for the potential refurbishment of shelters found to be in disrepair.

The responsibility for maintaining and operating public shelters lies with the municipalities. However, many shelters are located within privately-owned buildings.

The Minister for Emergency Management was unavailable for an interview but stated in a written response that political stakeholders involved in emergency preparedness will receive a briefing. The briefing will include details about the planned review of the country’s shelters.

A survey conducted last year indicated that existing shelters in Denmark could accommodate 3.6 million people. However, the survey did not assess the actual condition of these shelters or their usability.

Earlier this year, all Danish municipalities received a communication from the Agency for Community Safety urging them to enhance their emergency preparedness. This call followed an assessment that identified the Danish risk and threat level as the most severe since World War II. Municipalities were advised to secure access to essential resources like electricity, water, and heating in the event of disruptions.

Several mayors have expressed dissatisfaction with the Minister for Emergency Management, citing a lack of clear guidance for municipalities in handling potential crises. The economic agreement states that the government and municipalities will collaborate to establish an effective framework for emergency preparedness.

An analysis of the interaction between municipal and state emergency preparedness, initiated as part of an earlier agreement, is underway. This analysis is scheduled for discussion in early 2026, with the goal of strengthening cooperation between the state, municipalities, and other relevant parties in the emergency preparedness sector.