Short answer. The Dutch government asks every household to be able to cope at home for 72 hours without electricity, water or internet, using an emergency kit (noodpakket) 1. It sets water at 3 litres per person per day 1 and advises keeping EUR 70 in cash per adult and EUR 30 per child for the first 72 hours 2. Check the kit every six months 1.
Why 72 hours?
The Denk vooruit campaign states: "With an emergency kit you are well prepared for the first 72 hours after a disaster or emergency" 1. The scenario is staying at home while electricity, mains water and the internet are unavailable 1. The campaign, coordinated by the NCTV, started on 3 November 2025, and making an emergency kit is the first of its three steps, before an emergency plan and helping each other 3.
How much water should I store?
3 litres per person per day of bottled water. The official wording is "Bottles of water. Think of 3 litres per person per day" 1. Over 72 hours that is 9 litres per person; a household of four needs 36 litres. Our guides on water per person and water purification cover storage and backup methods.
What food should be in the kit?
Long-life food, such as nuts, tinned vegetables and dried fruit 1. No quantity is set beyond covering the 72 hours. Add baby food or food for pets if they apply to your household 1. See our guide on food shelf life for rotation.
How much cash does the government advise?
EUR 70 for an adult and EUR 30 for a child, to cover the first 72 hours 2. The government presents this as advice, not an obligation 2. Our guide on important documents covers cash and papers.
What else is on the official list?
The list also includes a battery-powered radio, a mobile phone with a power bank, a torch with spare batteries, candles and matches, a first-aid kit with instructions, blankets, a whistle, tools such as a hammer, saw and wire cutters, hygiene products, copies of identity documents with a list of important phone numbers, spare house and car keys, and personal medicines 1. The full list, line by line, is on the kit page.
How should I store the kit?
In a place that is easy to reach, in a waterproof bag such as a backpack so you can take it if you have to leave suddenly, and check it every six months 1. The FM and DAB frequencies of each regional public broadcaster, which acts as the emergency broadcaster, are listed on denkvooruit.nl 4; write yours down and keep it with the radio. Our emergency radio guide and power outage guide go further.
Frequently asked questions
Is the emergency kit mandatory in the Netherlands?
No obligation is set out in the official pages. The government asks households to prepare for 72 hours, and presents the cash amount explicitly as advice, not an obligation 12.
Did the government send a booklet?
Yes. All households received Informatieboekje: bereid je voor op een noodsituatie by 10 January 2026 at the latest, with translations and accessible versions 5.
How often should I check my kit?
Every six months 1.
What about medicines?
Medicines are on the list as a personal item, without a set quantity 1. Our guide on vulnerable people covers medication and care needs.
Sources
- Denk vooruit (NCTV, Rijksoverheid) — Stel je noodpakket samen — https://www.denkvooruit.nl/bereid-je-voor/stel-je-noodpakket-samen (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rijksoverheid — Wat zit er in een noodpakket? — https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/vraag-en-antwoord/veiligheidsregios-en-crisisbeheersing/wat-zit-er-in-een-noodpakket (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Rijksoverheid (Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid) — Overheid start campagne Denk vooruit: voorbereiden op noodsituatie steeds belangrijker — https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/11/03/overheid-start-campagne-denk-vooruit-voorbereiden-op-noodsituatie-steeds-belangrijker (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Denk vooruit (NCTV, Rijksoverheid) — Radio — https://www.denkvooruit.nl/bereid-je-voor/zo-krijg-je-een-waarschuwing/radio (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Denk vooruit (NCTV) — Informatieboekje: bereid je voor op een noodsituatie — https://www.denkvooruit.nl/informatieboekje (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Denk vooruit (NCTV, Rijksoverheid) · Stel je noodpakket samen checked 2026-10-20
- Rijksoverheid · Wat zit er in een noodpakket? checked 2026-10-20
- Rijksoverheid (Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid) · Overheid start campagne Denk vooruit: voorbereiden op noodsituatie steeds belangrijker checked 2026-10-20
- Denk vooruit (NCTV, Rijksoverheid) · Radio checked 2026-10-20
- Denk vooruit (NCTV) · Informatieboekje: bereid je voor op een noodsituatie checked 2026-10-20