Start here
Store drinking water for each person, adjusted for age and health. Check containers and dates.
Budget guide€5–€20
Find water containers72-hour field guide for Europe
The lights go out. Your plan starts.
The European Commission recommends every household can cope 72 hours on its own. A 72-hour kit puts the essentials in one place, so a blackout, flood or storm means less improvising and more calm.
01 / The plan
Not survivalism. Just being ready.
You don’t need to buy everything today. Gather what you already own, spot the gaps, and keep one bag where you can reach it. The right kit depends on who lives with you.
The power cuts out
Light, signal or water can fail. Keep a torch within reach and follow official advice for your area.
Grab your bag
Water, everyday medicines, radio, power bank and documents, together and easy to pick up.
You have margin
A kit sized for your home carries you while services come back or instructions arrive.
No kit guarantees self-sufficiency for everyone: needs, climate and situations differ. In an emergency, always follow your local authorities and call 112. This page does not replace their instructions.
02 / Your list
The kit, without the hype.
Six blocks. Check what you already have before you buy. Each button opens a shortlist we’ve picked, with a budget range to plan with.
See without the grid
A reliable LED torch with spare batteries. One per home is a start; one per person is better.
Budget guide€10–€30
Find torchesStay connected
A charged power bank, the right cable, and a battery or crank radio for official updates.
Budget guide€20–€65
Find power and radiosLook after your people
A basic first-aid kit, your regular medicines, and what babies, older relatives or pets need.
Budget guide€15–€45
Find first-aid kitsSomething to eat
Food that keeps and that you already eat, suited to allergies and diets. Rotate it and pack a tin opener.
Budget guide€15–€50
Find long-life foodThe irreplaceable
Copies of IDs, key contacts and some cash in a waterproof pouch. Keep them safe and private.
Budget guide€7–€25
Find waterproof pouchesOne bag. One plan. More calm.
- Check what ready-made kits actually contain
- Add what babies and older relatives need
- Check expiry dates twice a year
Budget ranges are for planning, not live prices or verified deals. Prescription medicines and special diets are not included. We may earn a commission from these links. Disclosure
03 / The kits
Pick your scenario. Start with what’s missing.
Each kit is a closed list. Tick off what you own, and one button sends the rest to your basket.
01
Basic 72-hour kitThe EU essentials in one list: water, light, radio, first aid, food and documents.€100–€180 for 2Open
02
Blackout kitLight, power and information for days without electricity.€90–€200Open
03
Flood kitProtect your home and documents when water rises, and get out safely.€90–€160Open
04
Heatwave kitHydration, cooling and shade. Most of it you already own.€30–€70Open
05
Winter storm kitStay warm safely when the heating fails, without carbon-monoxide risks.€80–€180Open
06
Grab-and-go bagA light bag you can pick up and leave with in under a minute.€60–€120Open
07
Car kitWhat’s required by country, plus what helps if you’re stuck for hours.€60–€120Open
08
Baby kitFeeding without power, hygiene and warmth. Rotate what you use, don’t duplicate.€90–€170Open
09
Older people and careMedicines, mobility aids, medical devices and food that suits them.€60–€120Open
10
Pet kitFood, water, ID and first aid for your animal.€40–€90Open
11
Communication kitLicence-free PMR446 walkie-talkies, a crank radio and satellite messaging.€80–€300Open
12
Power kitPower banks, lanterns and portable power stations, sized for 72 hours.€100–€900Open
PRO
Pro home backup kitExpandable power station, solar panels and LiFePO4 batteries to ride out a long blackout with lights, fridge and Wi-Fi on.€1,500–€4,000See the kit
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a 72-hour emergency kit?
A set of supplies (water, food that keeps, light, a radio, first aid and documents) that lets a household cope on its own for 72 hours during a blackout, flood or other emergency. The European Commission’s Preparedness Union Strategy of March 2025 recommends every household be able to do this. See the basic kit
Where do I start if I have nothing?
Start with water, light, a radio and first aid. The basic 72-hour kit covers the minimum. If a long power cut is your main worry, add the blackout kit.
How much water should I store?
Plan on about 3 litres (0.8 US gal) per person per day: 2 to drink and 1 for basic hygiene. For 72 hours, a family of four needs about 36 litres (9.5 US gal). Store it away from sunlight and rotate it as the label advises.
What should I do in the first 30 minutes of a blackout?
Use a torch, not candles. Switch on a battery or crank radio for official updates. Unplug sensitive appliances so they are not damaged when power returns. Keep the fridge closed and save your phone battery. Only call 112 in a real emergency. Full blackout guide
What food works for 72 hours without a fridge?
Food that keeps without cooling and that you already eat: tins, jars, crackers, nut butter, dried fruit, cereal bars and freeze-dried meals. Add a manual tin opener.
How much does a 72-hour kit cost?
A decent basic kit costs about €60–€120 per person, much less if you use what you already own. A kit with a portable power station starts around €450, and a full home backup setup with solar runs into the thousands.
04 / Guides
From the field guide
- Best portable power station for blackouts in EuropeHow much capacity you need, and the five models worth buying. 9 min read
- EcoFlow vs Jackery vs BluettiWhich brand to pick, compared on what matters in a blackout. 7 min read
- What to do in a power blackoutThe first hour, the first night, and day three. 6 min read
The next step is small
Start tonight with what you already have.
Gather it in one place, then fill the gaps. No manufactured fear, no blind shopping: a kit that fits your home.