Short answer. Government Regulation No. 50 of 8 May 2026 (in force 1 July 2026) sets Estonia's shelter requirements: class V1 for up to 180 people and a blast load of at least 100 kN/m², class V2 for 181 to 1,000 people at 200 kN/m², at least 0.75 m² per person, use for at least three days, filtered ventilation and yearly checks 1. The Rescue Board supervises.
This page summarises a legal text for information. Shelter design is work for qualified engineers; nothing here is construction guidance.
What are the two shelter classes?
| V1 | V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | up to 180 people | 181 to 1,000 people |
| Minimum actual sheltering area | 15 m² | 15 m² |
| Blast load the enclosure must withstand | at least 100 kN/m² | at least 200 kN/m² |
| Reinforced concrete walls | at least 300 mm | at least 400 mm |
| Airlock | area of at least 2.5 m² | room of at least 4 m² |
Source: Regulation No. 50 1. The regulation's definition of V1 reads: "V1-klassi varjend on varjend, mille tegeliku varjumispinna suurus on vähemalt 15 ruutmeetrit ja mille piirdekonstruktsioon talub lööklainest põhjustatud koormust vähemalt 100 kN/m2 ning mis on ette nähtud varjumiseks kuni 180 inimesele." 1
How much space and supplies per person?
- At least 0.75 m² of floor per person 1.
- Designed for use for at least three consecutive days 1.
- One toilet place per 20 m² of sheltering area 1.
- Drinking-water storage space of 12 litres per m² of sheltering area, and waste storage of 4 litres per m² 1.
For what to keep inside a shelter, the household lists on the emergency supplies page are the reference; the guide /guides/emergency-sanitation covers toilets without running water.
What technical systems are required?
- A ground-bearing reinforced concrete floor of at least 150 mm 1.
- A dedicated shelter ventilation system with filtration, in addition to the normal building ventilation 1.
- An FM radio antenna connection and readiness for data and phone links 1.
- For V2 shelters: a first-aid room of at least 6 m² and backup power for at least 72 hours 1.
- Equipment must be in place when the use permit is applied for 1.
The principles of filtered ventilation are explained in /guides/nbc-filtration and /guides/shelter-ventilation.
What maintenance is required?
Every year, the ventilation unit must be run for at least 5 minutes and power equipment tested 1. The Rescue Board (Päästeamet) supervises 1.
What about basements in apartment buildings?
The Rescue Board published recommendations in 2025 for adapting apartment-building basements into sheltering places 2. They concern adapting existing spaces, not building a classed shelter; read them with your building's management and an engineer.
Is this the current wording?
The figures were read in the Regulation No. 50 wording valid from 1 July to 30 September 2026. A new wording applies from 1 October 2026; the government draft describes it as updating legal references to the Crisis Situation and National Defence Act without substantive changes. Phaenyx has not read the new wording.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can a V1 shelter hold?
Up to 180 people, with at least 0.75 m² of floor per person 1.
How long must a shelter be usable?
At least three consecutive days 1.
Does a shelter need its own ventilation?
Yes: a dedicated system with filtration, separate from normal building ventilation 1.
Which buildings must have one?
See build a shelter and public shelters.
Sources
- Riigi Teataja — Varjendi rajamise kohustusega hoonete täpsem loetelu, nõuded varjendile ja varjumisplaanile, varjumiskoha kohandamise põhimõtted ning varjumisplaani koostamise kord (Vabariigi Valitsuse 08.05.2026 määrus nr 50) — https://www.riigiteataja.ee/et/akt/113052026004 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Päästeamet — Soovitused korterelamute keldrite varjumiskohtadeks kohandamisel (2025-04-09) — https://www.rescue.ee/files/Materjalid/2025-04-09-soovitused-korterelamute-keldrite-varjumiskohtadeks-kohandamisel-a4-veeb.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Estonia, 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
- Riigi Teataja · Varjendi rajamise kohustusega hoonete täpsem loetelu, nõuded varjendile ja varjumisplaanile, varjumiskoha kohandamise põhimõtted ning varjumisplaani koostamise kord (Vabariigi Valitsuse 08.05.2026 määrus nr 50) checked 2026-10-20
- Päästeamet · Soovitused korterelamute keldrite varjumiskohtadeks kohandamisel (2025-04-09) checked 2026-10-20