Several political parties in Denmark are pushing to reinstate a legal requirement for municipalities to ensure bomb shelters are ready for use within a short timeframe in the event of conflict. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns about the current global security landscape.

The Conservative Party, the Denmark Democrats, the Socialist People’s Party (SF), and the Danish People’s Party (DF) are advocating for the return of a mandated preparation time for bomb shelters. Prior to 2003, Danish municipalities were legally obligated to have shelters ready for use within 24 hours. This requirement was later abolished by the Danish Parliament.

Mette Abildgaard, political spokesperson for the Conservative Party, argues that the current international climate necessitates the reinstatement of this legal obligation. She emphasized the urgency, stating that the world has not witnessed such a high number of wars and a similarly dangerous risk since World War II. While she suggested that a specific deadline is needed, the exact duration—whether 24 or 48 hours—is not the primary concern.

However, Charlotte Bagge Hansen, preparedness spokesperson for the Moderates, believes it is premature to make legal changes before the completion of a government analysis on the condition of the country’s bomb shelters. The government launched this analysis in the spring of 2025. She stressed the importance of understanding the current state of the shelters.

Bagge Hansen noted that municipalities are currently assessing the condition of bomb shelters. She added that a decision on future bomb shelter strategies should be made before considering any changes. While she did not dismiss the proposals from other parties, she believes it’s necessary to wait for the analysis results.