Short answer. Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) has assessed 1,665 shelters with room for more than half a million people; 407 were found compliant and 1,258 partly compliant (March 2026) 1. Find them on the map at www.112.lv or in the 112 Latvija app, and look for the shelter sign 23. Go to a public shelter only if it is no more than 300 metres away 4.
How many public shelters does Latvia have?
Latvia dismantled its Soviet-era civil defence shelters after a 2008 decision and has been rebuilding a network since 2024 41. The Prime Minister's annual report to the Saeima (March 2026) gives these figures 1:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Shelters assessed by VUGD | 1,665 |
| Fully compliant | 407 |
| Partly compliant | 1,258 |
| Total capacity | More than half a million people (546,820 per VUGD) |
| Shown in the 112 Latvija app | 933 of the 1,665 |
How do I find the nearest shelter?
- The shelter sign. A building with the shelter sign (Patvertnes zīme) has a shelter that will be publicly accessible during a threat 2.
- 112.lv. A map of all shelters is on www.112.lv, under Knowledge base > Shelters 2.
- 112 Latvija app. It shows at least the shelter nearest to your current location 3.
- Your municipality. Municipal websites and information materials also list shelters 2.
Check the map now, while things are calm, and walk the route once.
When should I go to a public shelter?
VUGD's rule is distance: "uz publisku patvertni jādodas tikai tad, ja tā atrodas drošā, ne vairāk kā 300 metru attālumā" (go to a public shelter only if it is at a safe distance of no more than 300 metres) 4. The route should have no obstacles 4.
If the shelter is farther, shelter where you are and apply the two-wall rule: keep at least two walls between you and the outside 4. Shelters are meant for short stays during a direct threat, usually a few hours 4. See /guides/shelter-or-evacuate.
Are shelters open all the time?
No. Shelters may be closed in normal times; the building owner opens them during a threat 4. The shelter sign may only be placed on buildings that were assessed against the minimum requirements and will be publicly accessible during a threat 2.
What does "partly compliant" mean?
VUGD assesses buildings against minimum requirements 2. The binding standard for new shelters is LBN 210-25; see the shelter standards page. VUGD also publishes an assessment table so private persons can check their own basement 2; see build a shelter.
Frequently asked questions
Which shelter should I use in Latvia?
A public shelter no more than 300 metres away with no obstacles on the route, found on 112.lv or in the 112 Latvija app 42.
What if no shelter is within 300 metres?
Shelter where you are, with at least two walls between you and the outside 4.
How long would I stay in a shelter?
Shelters are for short stays during a direct threat, usually a few hours 4.
Why does the app show fewer shelters than the total?
The 112 Latvija app showed 933 of the 1,665 assessed shelters in March 2026 1. Check www.112.lv as well 2.
Sources
- Valsts kanceleja / Ministru kabinets — Ministru prezidentes Evikas Siliņas ikgadējais ziņojums Saeimai par Ministru kabineta paveikto un iecerēto darbību (2026. gada marts) — https://mk.gov.lv/lv/media/25793/download?attachment= (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD) — Patvertnes — https://www.vugd.gov.lv/lv/patvertnes (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD) — Biežāk uzdotie jautājumi par rīcību ārkārtas gadījumos un civilo aizsardzību — https://www.vugd.gov.lv/lv/biezak-uzdotie-jautajumi-par-ricibu-arkartas-gadijumos-un-civilo-aizsardzibu (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD) — Biežāk uzdotie jautājumi par patvertnēm — https://www.vugd.gov.lv/lv/biezak-uzdotie-jautajumi-par-patvertnem (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Valsts kanceleja / Ministru kabinets · Ministru prezidentes Evikas Siliņas ikgadējais ziņojums Saeimai par Ministru kabineta paveikto un iecerēto darbību (2026. gada marts) checked 2026-10-20
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD) · Patvertnes checked 2026-10-20
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD) · Biežāk uzdotie jautājumi par rīcību ārkārtas gadījumos un civilo aizsardzību checked 2026-10-20
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD) · Biežāk uzdotie jautājumi par patvertnēm checked 2026-10-20