Short answer. Danish authorities recommend that every household be able to manage on its own for three days: "Myndighederne anbefaler, at du og din husstand skal kunne klare jer i 3 døgn" 1. The official checklist starts with 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, or 9 litres per person for three days, food for three days, at least three days of necessary medicines and a first aid kit 1.
How many days does Denmark recommend?
Three days ("3 døgn") 1. This is the core message of the national brochure Forberedt på kriser (Prepared for crises), first published by the Danish Emergency Management Agency in 2024 and now published by the Agency for Societal Security (Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) 14. An English version, Be prepared for a crisis, is available as a PDF 2.
The authorities describe their checklist as "inspiration" covering the most basic needs 1. Households that want to, and have the time, space and resources, are told it is a good idea to build up a small stockpile of necessities for a longer period, especially in geographically exposed areas or when someone in the household has special needs such as essential medicines 1.
What are the basic quantities?
| Need | Official quantity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking water (drinking and food preparation) | 3 litres per person per day = 9 litres per person for three days | 1 |
| Food with a long shelf life outside fridge and freezer | 3 days for the household | 1 |
| Necessary medicines | at least 3 days | 1 |
| First aid kit | 1 | 1 |
| Water for pets | if needed | 2 |
Food should ideally need no oven or hob, for example tinned food or crispbread. If stored food needs cooking, keep a means of boiling water without electricity or mains gas, such as a barbecue or camping stove, used outdoors only 1. The full checklist, line by line, is on the kit page.
How do I calculate my household's needs?
The Agency for Societal Security offers an online calculator, the beredskabsberegneren, for household quantities 1. For a quick check by hand, multiply 9 litres of water by the number of people in the household and add water for any pets 12. The guides on /guides/water-per-person and /guides/food-shelf-life explain storage and rotation.
What about people with special needs?
The checklist asks for extra supplies as needed: baby formula, nappies, care items and pet food 1. Necessary medicines are listed for at least three days 1, and the authorities single out essential medicines as a reason to stock for longer than three days 1. See /guides/vulnerable-people and /guides/pets.
How many Danes are prepared?
A Megafon survey for the Agency in December 2025 found that 84% know the three-day recommendation and 65% are preparing for it 13.
Why does preparing matter if help will come?
The brochure puts it this way: "Når du kan klare dig selv, hjælper du dem, der ikke kan" (when you can manage on your own, you help those who cannot) 1. A household that can manage for three days frees emergency services for the people who need them most.
Frequently asked questions
How much water does a family of four need in Denmark?
36 litres for three days: 3 litres per person per day, times four people, times three days 1. Add water for pets if needed 2.
Is three days a minimum or a maximum?
The authorities present three days as the recommendation and encourage households that can to build a small stockpile for a longer period 1.
Do I need a stove?
Only if your stored food needs cooking. The checklist then asks for a way to boil water without electricity or mains gas, such as a barbecue or camping stove used outdoors only 1. See /guides/cooking-without-power and /guides/generator-carbon-monoxide.
Where is the official English advice?
In the PDF Be prepared for a crisis on samsik.dk 2.
Sources
- Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed — Forberedt på kriser – sådan klarer du dig selv i tre døgn under en krise — https://samsik.dk/forberedt/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Danish Emergency Management Agency (hosted by Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) — Be prepared for a crisis — https://samsik.dk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/EN-prepared-for-crises.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- borger.dk (written by Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) — Forberedt på kriser — https://www.borger.dk/politi-retsvaesen-forsvar/forsvar-og-beredskab/forberedt-paa-kriser (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Beredskabsstyrelsen — Forberedt på kriser (hires PDF, archived 8 Nov 2024) — https://web.archive.org/web/20241108122931/https://www.brs.dk/globalassets/brs---beredskabsstyrelsen/dokumenter/forberedt/--forberedt_paa_kriser_hires-.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Denmark, worked out for your household.
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- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed · Forberedt på kriser – sådan klarer du dig selv i tre døgn under en krise checked 2026-10-20
- Danish Emergency Management Agency (hosted by Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) · Be prepared for a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- borger.dk (written by Styrelsen for Samfundssikkerhed) · Forberedt på kriser checked 2026-10-20
- Beredskabsstyrelsen · Forberedt på kriser (hires PDF, archived 8 Nov 2024) checked 2026-10-20