Short answer. Germany's Länder store and distribute 189.5 million high-dose potassium iodide tablets of 65 mg each 12. Near nuclear power plants they are pre-distributed to households or stored locally, depending on the Land; elsewhere they are handed out at fire stations, town halls, pharmacies or polling stations when authorities call for it 12. Take them only on explicit instruction. They are not recommended for people over 45 3.
Who is covered by iodine tablet distribution in Germany?
Distribution is prepared for two groups 12:
- people up to 45 years old within about 100 km of a nuclear power plant;
- pregnant women, children and teenagers across the whole country.
Depending on the Land, tablets are either pre-distributed to all households near a nuclear power plant or stored locally, for example in town halls or fire stations 12. Elsewhere, they are handed out at fire stations, town halls, pharmacies or polling stations when the authorities call for it 12.
When should you take the tablets?
Only when told to. The official wording is: "Hochdosierte Jodtabletten sollten nur nach ausdrücklicher Aufforderung durch die Katastrophenschutzbehörden eingenommen werden" — high-dose iodine tablets should only be taken after an explicit instruction from the disaster-management authorities 2. For what iodine tablets do and do not protect against, see Potassium iodide (KI): when to take it and who needs it.
What is the dose by age?
The federal dosage table, for 65 mg tablets 3:
| Group | Dose |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | 16.25 mg KI (1/4 tablet) |
| 1 month to 3 years | 32.5 mg KI (1/2 tablet) |
| 3 to 12 years | 65 mg KI (1 tablet) |
| 13 to 45 years | 130 mg KI (2 tablets) |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding, any age | 130 mg KI (2 tablets) |
| Over 45 | not recommended |
Follow the instructions given with the official announcement.
Can you buy iodine tablets yourself?
The authorities advise against taking the tablets on your own initiative, because self-medication carries health risks 12. If you want to keep your own stock, the federal environment ministry says you can buy iodine tablets without a prescription in a pharmacy, and some online pharmacies also sell them 4. Even then, take them only on official instruction 2. In an emergency, rely on the official distribution.
What else should you do in a nuclear emergency?
Iodine is only one measure. Follow official warnings (see our Germany alerts page), stay indoors if told to, and keep your household supply ready (see emergency supplies). For how radiation levels fall over time, read How fast does nuclear fallout decay? The 7-10 rule.
Frequently asked questions
Should people over 45 take iodine tablets in Germany?
No. The federal dosage guidance marks iodine tablets as not recommended for people over 45 3.
How much should a child take?
Children aged 3 to 12 take 65 mg (1 tablet); from 1 month to 3 years, 32.5 mg (1/2 tablet); up to 1 month, 16.25 mg (1/4 tablet) 3.
Where will I get tablets if I live far from a nuclear plant?
When the authorities call for it, tablets are handed out at places such as fire stations, town halls, pharmacies or polling stations 12. Pregnant women, children and teenagers are covered nationwide 12.
Can I take the tablets as a precaution?
No. Take them only on explicit instruction from the disaster-management authorities 2.
Sources
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS) — Einnahme und Wirkung von Jodtabletten — https://www.bfs.de/DE/themen/ion/notfallschutz/verhalten/jodblockade/jodblockade_node.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN) — Jodblockade – Aktueller Hinweis zur Einnahme von Jodtabletten — https://www.jodblockade.de/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN) — Die richtige Dosierung — https://www.jodblockade.de/jodtabletten/dosierung/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN) — Jodtabletten – Versorgung — https://www.jodblockade.de/jodtabletten/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Germany, 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
- Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS) · Einnahme und Wirkung von Jodtabletten checked 2026-10-20
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN) · Jodblockade – Aktueller Hinweis zur Einnahme von Jodtabletten checked 2026-10-20
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN) · Die richtige Dosierung checked 2026-10-20
- Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN) · Jodtabletten – Versorgung checked 2026-10-20