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How many days

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Germany

10 days if possible, at least 3

National figure

3–10

days

Germany's federal guide asks households to manage for 10 days if possible, and says even a supply for at least 3 days helps a great deal. The aim was 14 days in 2013 and 10 days by 2019.

“Alle Haushalte sollten sich möglichst 10 Tage selbst versorgen können. Das bedeutet: Wasser und Essen, medizinische Versorgung und Hygiene für den Notfall sicherzustellen. Aber auch ein Vorrat für zumindest 3 Tage hilft schon sehr. Darauf können Sie schrittweise aufbauen.”

All households should, if possible, be able to supply themselves for 10 days. That means securing water and food, medical care and hygiene for an emergency. But even a supply for at least 3 days helps a great deal. You can build on it step by step.

Read at the source ↗

The figure over time

0371014201620202024Aug 2013: 14 daysJul 2019: 10 days13 Oct 2025: 3–10 days
Days over time, from the first date we can document. Yellow marks a range.

Every dated step

  1. 2 Jun 2026

    Restated3–10

    An easy-language edition of the guide appears. It calls a supply for 10 days a very great help and a supply for 3 days or more a good help.

    BBK ↗Official

  2. Nov 2025

    Restated3–10

    A further printing of the guide, dated November 2025, keeps the same wording.

    BBK ↗Official

  3. 13 Oct 2025

    Reworded10 → 3–10

    The revised guide keeps the 10-day aim, adds that at least 3 days helps, and names war as a possibility.

    BBK ↗Official

  4. Jul 2019

    Lowered14 → 10

    Earliest edition read with the lower aim. The change falls between October 2015 and July 2019.

    BBK (copy hosted by Poppenhausen) ↗Official

  5. Aug 2013

    First seen14

    First edition of the federal guide sets an aim of 14 days without shopping.

    BBK (copy hosted by Saxony) ↗Official