Switzerland

1 week of food, 3 days of water

National, with limits

3–7

days

Read thisOne week covers food only. The water figure is 9 L per person, enough for three days.

Switzerland's federal advice is about a week of food and 9 litres of water per person, meant to last three days. The week applies to food only, and the figures have been the same since at least 2016.

“Lebensmittel für rund 1 Woche [...] Wir empfehlen mindestens 9 Liter Wasser pro Person – ein Sixpack mit 1,5-Liter-Flaschen. Das ist einfach zu transportieren und mehrere Monate haltbar. Diese Menge sollte im Notfall zum Trinken und Kochen für drei Tage ausreichen.”

Food for about 1 week [...] We recommend at least 9 litres of water per person, a six-pack of 1.5-litre bottles. This is easy to carry and keeps for several months. In an emergency this should be enough for drinking and cooking for three days.

Read at the source ↗

The figure over time

Days over time, from the first date we can document. Yellow marks a range.

Every dated step

17 Feb 2025
Restated3–7
The federal brochure 'Kluger Rat – Notvorrat' carries this date on the federal page. The figures are the same.
BWL ↗Official
10 Oct 2024
Restated3–7
The Canton of Fribourg announces a new Swiss-wide information campaign on the emergency stock.
Canton of Fribourg ↗Official
27 Jan 2016
First seen3–7
A federal blog gives about a week of food and 9 L of water, the same figures as today.
BABS / Alertswiss ↗Official