Slovakia's official emergency kit checklist

Short answer. The Slovak Interior Ministry's list covers water (3-5 litres per person per day), long-life food, warm clothing, blankets, light, a heat source needing no electricity, a battery or solar radio, power banks, cash, documents, medicines and hygiene items ¹. For a long blackout, plan at least 14 days of food and drink ¹. Separate lists cover an evacuation bag and a shelter bag ¹².

What is on the official home-supply list?

Line by line, as listed by the ministry ¹. Where the ministry gives no quantity, none is shown.

• Drinking water: 3-5 litres per person per day; at least 4 litres per person per day in a blackout (2 L drinking, 2 L cooking and hygiene).
• Water for pets.
• Long-life foods: grains, cereals, pasta, rice, couscous, instant mashed potato, powdered milk, tortillas, rusks, biscuits, salt and spices; food for all household members for at least 14 days in a blackout.
• Vegetables: potatoes, carrots, cabbage.
• Tinned food: tomatoes, vegetables, fruit, ready meals.
• High-protein food: dried or tinned meat and fish, chickpeas, beans, lentils, cheese in a tube.
• High-fat food: cooking oil, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, peanut butter, nuts and seeds.
• Energy food: fruit pudding, jam, chocolate, honey, protein bars, dried fruit.
• Drinks: water or mineral water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix, juice or long-life or soy milk.
• Food for children (porridge, infant formula, oat flakes, baby food) and pet food.
• Bottles or containers with lids or taps for drinking water.
• Warm clothing (wool or outdoor), thick socks, hats, gloves, scarves, spare warm waterproof shoes.
• Blankets, sleeping mats, sleeping bags.
• Candles, tea lights, matches or lighter, torch, head torch.
• Alternative heat source not needing electricity (e.g. gas or paraffin heater), spirit stove and fuel, fuel in the vehicle tank, fire extinguisher.
• Battery- or solar-powered radio and spare batteries.
• Mobile phone, charged power banks, charger.
• Cash in small denominations: about twice the household's usual weekly shopping (blackout guidance).
• Documents and important papers; important phone numbers written on paper.
• First-aid kit and necessary medicines (prescription and over-the-counter): your regular medicines; the ministry advises against stockpiling unnecessarily large amounts.
• Tissues, toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, nappies and menstrual products, rubbish bags.

What goes in the evacuation bag?

For an organised evacuation, the limit is 25 kg per adult and 15 kg per child, plus 5 kg of hand luggage ¹²:

• Identity documents (photograph the key ones on your phone), money, payment cards.
• Medicines and necessary medical aids.
• Basic food and drinking water for 2-3 days.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Pocket torch.
• Blanket or sleeping bag.
• Spare underwear, clothing, footwear and a waterproof coat.
• Jewellery and small valuables (optional).

What goes in the shelter bag?

Recommended up to 15 kg per adult and 10 kg per child ²:

• Documents, money, payment cards and other valuables.
• Prescribed or over-the-counter medicines and necessary medical aids.
• Hygiene pack.
• Long-life food and water for at least 3 days.
• Everyday items: cutlery, bowl, mug, can opener, small knife, torch with spare batteries, sewing kit, string, rubber bands.
• Spare underwear, clothing, footwear, tracksuit, sweater, hooded raincoat, sleeping bag, blanket, indoor shoes.
• A book or board game.

Not allowed in a shelter: weapons, alcohol and other addictive substances, foul-smelling or flammable substances, bulky items (prams, duvets), pets, lighters and cigarettes, perishable food ².

How does this compare with a general 72-hour kit?

For a long blackout, the Slovak list asks for at least 14 days of food and drink ¹. Our guide what goes in a 72-hour emergency kit compares agencies. Related reading: first-aid kit, emergency radio, extreme cold, emergency sanitation and pets.

What about ready-made kits?

If you consider a ready-made kit, compare it line by line with the checklist above: the ministry's list is the reference, not any product.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring a lighter to a Slovak public shelter?

No. Lighters and cigarettes are on the list of items not allowed ².

How heavy can my evacuation bag be?

In an organised evacuation, up to 25 kg per adult and 15 kg per child, plus 5 kg of hand luggage ¹².

Should I stockpile medicines?

Keep the medicines you need regularly; the ministry advises against stockpiling unnecessarily large amounts ¹.

Sources

1. Ministerstvo vnútra Slovenskej republiky, Sekcia krízového riadenia — Čo robiť v prípade krízy alebo ozbrojeného konfliktu — https://www.minv.sk/?co-robit-v-pripade-krizy-alebo-ozbrojeneho-konfliktu (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Ministerstvo vnútra Slovenskej republiky, Sekcia krízového riadenia — Civilná ochrana — https://www.minv.sk/?Civilna_ochrana (accessed 2026-10-20)