Short answer. Lithuania has two kinds of public protection: shelters (priedangos) for a few hours during an air alert, and collective protection buildings (kolektyvinės apsaugos statiniai), mostly schools and sports or cultural centres, for longer stays 12. Municipalities publish lists and maps of both on lt72.lt 1. In February 2024 the Fire and Rescue Department counted about 3,300 registered shelters for about 900,000 residents 3.
What is the difference between a priedanga and a collective protection building?
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Priedanga (shelter) | Short-term protection, up to several hours, during an air alert and against indirect fire, fragments and blast 1 |
| Kolektyvinės apsaugos statinys (collective protection building) | Longer stays during emergencies, evacuation or war; marked with a blue triangle on an orange square 2 |
How many shelters are there?
The Fire and Rescue Department gave a figure of about 3,300 registered shelters able to hold about 900,000 residents, on 29 February 2024 3. Higher, more recent totals have been reported in the press, but we did not read them on an official page, so they are not given here.
How do I find my nearest shelter?
Look up the lists and maps on lt72.lt, under Priedangos and Kolektyvinės apsaugos statiniai; they can be filtered by location 1. The official advice is to study them in advance and decide which shelter you will go to: "Visiems gyventojams rekomenduojame įdėmiai susipažinti su interneto svetainėje lt72.lt skelbiamais priedangų ir kolektyvinių apsaugos statinių sąrašais ir išsiaiškinti, į kokią priedangą vyksite pavojaus atveju" (we recommend that all residents study the lists of shelters and collective protection buildings on lt72.lt and find out which shelter they will go to in an emergency) 1.
What if there is no marked shelter nearby?
During an air alert, if no marked shelter is close, the official advice is to use an underground car park, a cellar, an underground passage, a tunnel, a ravine or a ditch 1. LT72 also explains how to fit out a home cellar as an individual shelter 1; see build a shelter.
Are new buildings getting shelters?
Yes. Since 2024, newly designed public buildings for more than 100 people (except religious buildings) and new residential buildings over 5 storeys must include a shelter with room for at least 60% of the people permanently in the building 3. Design rules are set by STR 2.07.02:2024 4.
Frequently asked questions
When should I go to a priedanga?
When an air alert (Oro pavojus) is declared. Go to a safe place or shelter and turn on LRT radio or TV 5. See alerts.
How do I recognise a collective protection building?
By the sign: a blue triangle on an orange square 2.
Are the shelter lists online?
Yes, on lt72.lt, with maps that can be filtered by location 1.
Should I go to a shelter or leave?
Follow the official instruction given on LRT and by the authorities 5. Background: shelter or evacuate.
Sources
- 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)
- Priešgaisrinės apsaugos ir gelbėjimo departamentas prie VRM — Kolektyvinės apsaugos statiniai — https://lt72.lt/kolektyvines-apsaugos-statiniai/ (accessed 2026-10-20; read in a Wayback Machine copy because the official site blocks automated access)
- 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)
- Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos ministerija (Register of Legal Acts, e-tar.lt) — Dėl statybos techninio reglamento STR 2.07.02:2024 „Slėptuvės, kolektyvinės apsaugos statinio ir priedangos projektavimo ir įrengimo reikalavimai“ patvirtinimo (order D1-63) — https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/bf1b8290d64611eead77e967e3995264 (accessed 2026-10-20; read in a Wayback Machine copy because the official site blocks automated access)
- Priešgaisrinės apsaugos ir gelbėjimo departamentas prie VRM — Sirenos ir civilinės saugos signalai — https://lt72.lt/civilines-saugos-signalai-kaip-elgtis-juos-isgirdus/ (accessed 2026-10-20; read in a Wayback Machine copy because the official site blocks automated access)
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Sources
- Priešgaisrinės apsaugos ir gelbėjimo departamentas prie VRM · Collective protection structures, shelters and cellars checked 2026-10-20
- Priešgaisrinės apsaugos ir gelbėjimo departamentas prie VRM · Kolektyvinės apsaugos statiniai checked 2026-10-20
- Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalų ministerija · Patvirtintos priedangų įrengimo taisyklės naujai projektuojamuose statiniuose checked 2026-10-20
- Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos ministerija (Register of Legal Acts, e-tar.lt) · Dėl statybos techninio reglamento STR 2.07.02:2024 „Slėptuvės, kolektyvinės apsaugos statinio ir priedangos projektavimo ir įrengimo reikalavimai“ patvirtinimo (order D1-63) checked 2026-10-20
- Priešgaisrinės apsaugos ir gelbėjimo departamentas prie VRM · Sirenos ir civilinės saugos signalai checked 2026-10-20