Short answer. Sweden has around 64,000 civil defence shelters (skyddsrum) with space for about seven million people, located in residential, industrial and other buildings 1. They are marked with an orange square, a blue triangle and the word SKYDDSRUM 1. Nobody is assigned a shelter: in an emergency you go to the nearest one, which you can find on MCF's online shelter map 13.
How many public shelters does Sweden have?
About 64,000 shelters, with about 7 million places in total 1. They are not stand-alone bunkers but spaces inside ordinary residential, industrial and other buildings 1.
Which shelter should I go to?
The nearest one. MCF is explicit: "You are not designated a specific civil defence shelter – evacuate to the nearest one" 1. It is worth locating the shelters near your home, workplace and children's school ahead of time, as part of a household plan (see /guides/family-plan).
How do I find the nearest shelter?
- Online: MCF's shelter map, Skyddsrumskartan, at https://gisapp.msb.se/apps/kartportal/enkel-karta_skyddsrum/ 3.
- On the street: shelters are signposted on the building facade and next to the shelter entrance, with the orange square, blue triangle and the text SKYDDSRUM 12.
- From your municipality: under the Act (2026:440) on civil defence shelters and protected spaces, municipalities must inform residents which shelters exist locally and how to use them (ch. 1 s. 4) 4.
Are Swedish shelters ready to use right now?
Not as shelters. In peacetime they are used for other purposes 1. They must be made ready within 48 hours of a government decision on heightened alert, and the building owner must then give room to the public 12. Shelters are designed for at least three days of continuous occupancy at full capacity 1.
What is provided, and what should I bring?
Water containers, heating, ventilation and toilets are provided; food and hygiene items are not 1. MCF's list of what to bring 1:
- Bottled or canned water
- Food that can be eaten at room temperature
- Personal hygiene items
- Toilet paper
- Medicines
- First aid kit
- Warm clothing
- Valuables (ID, cash, card)
- Keys
- Mobile phone and charger or power bank
- Torch
When do I go to a shelter?
When the air raid warning (flyglarm) sounds, short bursts of 2+2 seconds for 2 minutes, MCF says to take cover immediately in a shelter, cellar or other protective structure, preferably a windowless room 5. All signals are on the alerts page. For background on how shelters reduce exposure, see /guides/protection-factor and /guides/shelter-or-evacuate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have an assigned shelter in Sweden?
No. MCF says nobody is designated a specific shelter; you go to the nearest one 1.
How long can people stay in a Swedish shelter?
Shelters are designed for at least three days of continuous occupancy at full capacity 1.
Is there food in the shelter?
No. Water containers, heating, ventilation and toilets are provided, but you bring your own food and hygiene items 1.
Who must tell me where my shelter is?
Your municipality must inform residents which shelters exist locally and how to use them 4; the national map is run by MCF 3.
Sources
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Good to know about civil defence shelters — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/civil-defence-shelters-evacuation-and-warning-systems/good-to-know-about-civil-defence-shelters/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Fastighetsägares ansvar för skyddsrum — https://www.mcf.se/sv/amnesomraden/beredskap-for-kris-och-krig/befolkningsskydd/skyddsrum-och-andra-skyddade-platser/fastighetsagare/fastighetsagares-ansvar-for-skyddsrum/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Skyddsrumskartan — https://gisapp.msb.se/apps/kartportal/enkel-karta_skyddsrum/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Sveriges riksdag (SFS) — Lag (2026:440) om skyddsrum och skyddade utrymmen — https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-2026440-om-skyddsrum-och-skyddade-utrymmen_sfs-2026-440/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — About the warning and information systems — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/civil-defence-shelters-evacuation-and-warning-systems/public-service-announcement-and-other-varnings/about-the-warning--and-information-systems/ (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) · Good to know about civil defence shelters checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Fastighetsägares ansvar för skyddsrum checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Skyddsrumskartan checked 2026-10-20
- Sveriges riksdag (SFS) · Lag (2026:440) om skyddsrum och skyddade utrymmen checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · About the warning and information systems checked 2026-10-20