Short answer. Sweden's Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF) asks households to be able to manage on their own for at least one week 1. Its list covers 3 to 5 litres of water per adult per day 3, one week of food without shopping 4, heat, light and a radio that work without mains power 25, one month of long-term medicines 6 and 1,000 SEK cash per adult 7.
What is on MCF's official list?
Each line below comes from an MCF page; quantities are given only where MCF gives one.
| Item | Quantity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water (drinking, cooking, basic hygiene) | 3-5 litres per adult per day; also water for pets | 3 |
| Water storage containers with caps, bottles, buckets with lids, plastic bottles for freezing water | not specified | 3 |
| Means of boiling water | not specified | 3 |
| Non-perishables: grains, cereal, pasta, rice, couscous, instant mashed potatoes, milk powder, tortillas, crispbread, crackers, salt, spices | enough for one week without shopping | 4 |
| Tinned goods: tomatoes, vegetables, fruit, ready-to-eat meals | part of one week of food | 4 |
| High-protein: dried or tinned meat and fish, chickpeas, beans, lentils, cheese in a tube | part of one week of food | 4 |
| High-fat: cooking oil, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, tapenade, peanut butter, nuts and seeds | part of one week of food | 4 |
| Energy boosts: fruit custard, jam, chocolate, honey, protein bars, dried fruit | part of one week of food | 4 |
| Drinks: coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix, blueberry and rosehip soup, juice, UHT milk | not specified | 4 |
| Food for children: gruel, infant formula, oatmeal, baby food | as needed | 4 |
| Radio powered by batteries, solar panels or winding mechanism | not specified | 2 |
| Torch and headlamp with extra batteries | not specified | 2 |
| Stove and fuel (preferably used outdoors) | not specified | 2 |
| Sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, warm and wool clothing, beanies, gloves | not specified | 5 |
| Matches, fire-starters, candles, tea lights | not specified | 5 |
| Kerosene lamp and fuel (with adequate ventilation) | not specified | 2 |
| Alternative heat source fuelled by kerosene, LPG, diesel or wood | not specified | 2 |
| Fire extinguisher | not specified | 5 |
| Home pharmacy: first aid kit, wound care, essential medicines | not specified | 2 |
| Prescription medicines for long-term treatment | 1 month's supply | 6 |
| Hygiene items: toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, nappies, sanitary towels | not specified | 3 |
| Emergency toilet: plastic or garbage bags, compost litter or sawdust, bucket with lid | not specified | 3 |
| Extra batteries, charged power banks | not specified | 2 |
| Cash in small denominations | 1,000 SEK per adult (Riksbank recommendation, about one week of essential purchases) | 7 |
| Paper list of phone numbers (family, relatives, neighbours, hospital, municipality, emergency services, energy provider) | 1 | 2 |
Why one week and not 72 hours?
MCF has used the wording "at least one week" since 2024, following the government's 2020 defence policy decision; it describes the 72-hour figure used in the United States, Canada and by some Swedish municipalities as "better than nothing" 1. Details are on the emergency supplies page. For comparison with the 72-hour model, see /guides/72-hour-kit.
How do I adapt the list to my household?
Multiply water and cash by the number of adults, add pet water 37, and plan for children's food 4 and any long-term medicines 6. The guides on /guides/water-per-person, /guides/food-shelf-life, /guides/vulnerable-people and /guides/pets go further. If you may need to go to a public shelter, MCF has a separate, shorter list of what to bring: see the public shelters page.
Turn this list into your plan
The official list above is the reference, and you can assemble everything on it yourself. The Phaenyx plan counts each line for your household, adds the risks around your home and comes with the Phaenyx Safe app. Build your Phaenyx plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much water for a family of four adults for one week?
Multiply MCF's 3 to 5 litres per adult per day by four adults and by seven days, then add water for any pets 3.
Does MCF recommend a specific radio?
No brand: MCF asks for a radio powered by batteries, solar panels or a winding mechanism 2.
How much cash should be in the kit?
1,000 SEK per adult in small denominations, per the Riksbank recommendation relayed by MCF 7.
Sources
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Home preparedness – prepping for at least a week — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Basics of home preparedness — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/basics-of-home-emergency-preparedness/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Access to water during a crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/access-to-water-during-a-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Access to food during a crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/food/access-to-food-during-a-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Access to heat during a crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/access-to-heat-during-a-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — One month's supply of medicines at home — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/one-months-supply-of-medicines-at-home/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) with Sveriges Riksbank — Payments and cash in times of crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/payments-and-cash-in-times-of-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Sweden, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Home preparedness – prepping for at least a week checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Basics of home preparedness checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Access to water during a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Access to food during a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Access to heat during a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · One month's supply of medicines at home checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) with Sveriges Riksbank · Payments and cash in times of crisis checked 2026-10-20