Short answer. Greece's General Secretariat for Civil Protection asks every household to be self-sufficient for at least three days and to prepare an emergency backpack 1. It is one of the few European agencies to give a quantity: 4 litres of water per person per day for drinking and hygiene, and 3 portions of dry food 1. People under regular treatment should keep at least one week of medicines 1.
How many days should a Greek household be ready for?
At least three days. The civil protection leaflet "Κάνε το δικό σου σχέδιο" (Make your own plan) opens its first step with the instruction "Εξασφάλισε αυτάρκεια για τουλάχιστον τρεις ημέρες": make sure you are self-sufficient for at least three days 1. The leaflet's PDF was created in July 2022 according to its metadata and uploaded to civilprotection.gov.gr in February 2023; the leaflet itself is undated 1.
For how a 3-day target compares with longer official targets elsewhere, see /guides/72-hour-kit and /guides/two-week-supplies.
How much water per person?
4 litres per person per day, covering drinking and hygiene 1. In Greek: "ένα άτομο χρειάζεται 4 λίτρα νερό ανά ημέρα για κατανάλωση & υγιεινή" 1.
| Household | Days | Water (4 L/person/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 | 12 litres |
| 2 people | 3 | 24 litres |
| 4 people | 3 | 48 litres |
The table only multiplies the official figure 1. Storage and treatment are covered in /guides/water-per-person, /guides/water-storage-containers and /guides/water-purification.
How much food?
The leaflet gives "3 μερίδες ξηρά τροφή": 3 portions of dry food 1. The figure follows "4 litres of water per day" in the same sentence, so 3 portions per person per day is the natural reading, but the leaflet does not state "per day" separately for food 1. It does not list specific foods. For choosing foods that keep, see /guides/food-shelf-life and /guides/cooking-without-power.
What else does the official list include?
The leaflet presents its list as basic items, "βασικά είδη όπως" (basic items such as), so it is illustrative rather than exhaustive 1. It names a phone charger or power bank, a torch, a battery-powered radio, spare batteries, nappies and baby meals, pet food, a waterproof pack of document copies and at least one week of medicines 1. The ministry's general instructions add a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher 2. The full line-by-line list is on the kit page.
What about older people and people with disabilities?
The leaflet lists extra items: spare glasses, hearing aids with spare batteries, chargers for wheelchair or medical-device batteries, supplies for guide dogs, extra oxygen, insulin or catheters, copies of prescriptions and your doctor's details 1. See also /guides/vulnerable-people.
Frequently asked questions
Is 4 litres a day only for drinking?
No. The leaflet's 4 litres per person per day covers both drinking and hygiene 1.
How long should medicines last?
People under regular treatment should make sure they have enough for at least one week 1.
Does Greece mail a preparedness booklet to households?
No household mailing was found. The leaflet "Κάνε το δικό σου σχέδιο" is published online by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection 1.
Which documents should I keep?
Copies of medical records, notarial and legal deeds, your social security number (AMKA), bank account numbers, tax number (AFM) and allergy information, in a waterproof pack 1. See /guides/important-documents.
Sources
- Γενική Γραμματεία Πολιτικής Προστασίας — Κάνε το δικό σου σχέδιο – Οδηγίες προετοιμασίας για έκτακτες ανάγκες — https://civilprotection.gov.gr/sites/default/files/2023-02/kane_sxedio_neo_psifiako.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection — General Instructions — https://civilprotection.gov.gr/en/protection-guidelines/general-instructions (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Greece, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Γενική Γραμματεία Πολιτικής Προστασίας · Κάνε το δικό σου σχέδιο – Οδηγίες προετοιμασίας για έκτακτες ανάγκες checked 2026-10-20
- Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection · General Instructions checked 2026-10-20