Do you know where to find the nearest shelter in a crisis situation? If not, scroll down and go to MSB's interactive map of Sweden's shelters. One tip is to find out the nearest shelter to your job, your children's school, leisure activities and of course your home.
Brief facts about Sweden's air raid shelters
There are approximately 64,000 shelters in Sweden with space for seven million people. The shelters protect against shock waves, shrapnel, chemical weapons and radiation. They must be ready within two days in the event of war or high alert. In peacetime, they can be used for other purposes but must be able to be restored quickly. Water, heating and toilets must be available, but you must bring your own food and hygiene items. The shelters are not built for the entire population, and no new ones have been built since 2002.
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has overall responsibility for the country's shelters and believes that the existing shelters should be preserved as far as possible. However, it is the Riksdag and government that decide on the future strategy.
12 things that are good to bring to the shelter
- Water in a bottle or can
- Food that can withstand room temperature
- Hygiene items
- Toilet paper
- Medications
- First aid equipment
- Warm clothes
- Valuables (ID card/driver's license, cash, credit cards)
- Keys
- Mobile phone + charger or power bank
- Flashlight
- Sleeping bag/blanket and sleeping pad
Important information:
You do not belong to any particular shelter, but use the one closest to where you are.