Do you need a permit to build a shelter in Lithuania?

Short answer. Lithuania has no permit specific to shelters: a shelter is ordinary construction under Article 27 of the Law on Construction ¹. A permit is needed for any new non-complex residential building, for new special and non-special buildings, and for group II non-complex buildings in a city or protected area ¹. Shelters are mandatory only in some new buildings: public buildings for over 100 people and apartment blocks over 5 floors ².

Do I need a permit for a shelter at my house?

There is no shelter permit. Article 27 of the Law on Construction lists when a construction permit (statybą leidžiantis dokumentas) is required, and it does not mention shelters ¹. For new construction, a permit is required for ¹:

• any new special (ypatingasis) or non-special (neypatingasis) building;
• any new non-complex (nesudėtingasis) residential building;
• a new group II non-complex building in a city, in a protected area or its buffer zone, in a World Heritage area, or on a cultural-heritage site.

A new group I non-complex non-residential building is not on that list ¹. Reconstruction of a non-complex residential building also needs a permit ¹.

Which category a given shelter falls into (group I or II non-complex, or non-special) is set by the building classification regulation STR 1.01.03:2017. Phaenyx could not read it because the Seimas register showed a bot check, so ask your municipality's building office to confirm the category before any work.

Which buildings must have a shelter?

STR 2.07.02:2024, in force since 29 February 2024, requires a shelter room (priedanga) in ²:

• newly designed public buildings where more than 100 people can be at one time, except religious buildings;
• new apartment blocks of more than 5 floors.

If the room is not inside the building, the shelter is designed as an adjacent structure ². It must hold at least 60% of the maximum number of people in the building at one time ². The regulation covers newly designed shelters only, so existing buildings and private houses have no duty under it ²³.

What does the government ask of people in older buildings?

The government asks people in older buildings or private houses to inventory their basements and find their nearest public shelter ³. Shelter lists and maps are on lt72.lt; see public shelters.

How does LT72 describe a cellar shelter?

LT72 explains how to fit out a cellar as an individual shelter ⁴. It names:

• solid walls and a concrete slab;
• ideally a second exit;
• a ventilation opening;
• sandbags for windows;
• a toilet;
• a water barrel of 40 to 50 litres;
• supplies.

This is official household guidance, not a structural specification. Whether a given cellar is strong enough is a question for a qualified engineer. Phaenyx gives no construction instructions. Background reading: protection factor, shelter ventilation, emergency sanitation.

Frequently asked questions

Does my house have to have a shelter?

No. The duty covers new public buildings for more than 100 people and new apartment blocks of more than 5 floors ².

Is there a standard for private shelters?

STR 2.07.02:2024 sets minimum requirements for the shelters it makes mandatory ². Its design rules are summarised on shelter standards.

Is there state funding for a shelter in a private house?

Phaenyx found no national subsidy for a shelter in a private house.

How much water should a cellar shelter hold?

LT72 suggests a water barrel of 40 to 50 litres, plus supplies ⁴. See emergency supplies.

Sources

1. Seimas (Register of Legal Acts, e-tar.lt) — Lietuvos Respublikos statybos įstatymas (I-1240), consolidated version 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-31, Article 27 — https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.F31E79DEC55D/asr (accessed 2026-10-21; read in a browser because e-tar.lt blocks automated access)
2. Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos ministerija (Register of Legal Acts, e-tar.lt) — STR 2.07.02:2024 (order D1-63), points 1 and 152 — https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/bf1b8290d64611eead77e967e3995264 (accessed 2026-10-21; read in a browser because e-tar.lt blocks automated access)
3. Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalų ministerija — Patvirtintos priedangų įrengimo taisyklės naujai projektuojamuose statiniuose — https://vrm.lrv.lt/lt/naujienos/patvirtintos-priedangu-irengimo-taisykles-naujai-projektuojamuose-statiniuose/ (accessed 2026-10-20; read in a Wayback Machine copy because the official site blocks automated access)
4. Priešgaisrinės apsaugos ir gelbėjimo departamentas prie VRM — Collective protection structures, shelters and cellars — https://lt72.lt/kolektyvines-apsaugos-statiniai-priedangos-ir-rusiai/?lang=en (accessed 2026-10-20; read in a Wayback Machine copy because the official site blocks automated access)