Short answer. A binding Interior Ministry regulation (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1548), in force since 28 November 2025, sets the technical standards for protective structures in Poland 2. It defines six resistance categories, from hideouts U-1 to U-3 to shelters S-1 to S-3, with blast, radiation-shielding, siting and space requirements 2. Only a structure that meets them can be officially recognised 12.
What is the legal basis?
The 2024 Civil Protection and Civil Defence Act (Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1907) created the framework for protective structures 1. The detailed technical conditions are in the Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of 4 November 2025 on technical conditions for protective structures and their use and siting (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1548), in force since 28 November 2025 2. Detailed conditions refer to the Polish Standards listed in its Annex 1 2.
What are the six categories?
| Category | Type | Protection required |
|---|---|---|
| U-1 | Hideout | Debris and falling building elements, munition fragments, small-arms fire 2 |
| U-2 | Hideout | U-1 plus fallout gamma radiation, at least 100x attenuation 2 |
| U-3 | Hideout | U-2 plus blast overpressure of at least 60 kPa (50 ms) 2 |
| S-1 | Shelter | Blast overpressure of at least 100 kPa (100 ms), shock of 12.5 g, at least 1000x gamma attenuation, fire, and biological/chemical/radioactive contamination (sealed, filtered) 2 |
| S-2 | Underground shelter | S-1 plus overpressure of at least 200 kPa (150 ms), at least 1500x gamma attenuation 2 |
| S-3 | Underground shelter | S-2 plus overpressure of at least 300 kPa (200 ms) 2 |
The "U" categories correspond to the ukrycie (unsealed hideout) and the "S" categories to the schron (sealed shelter with filter-ventilation) described on our public shelters page. Gamma attenuation is closely related to what is often called a protection factor; see what is a shelter's protection factor?. For sealed, filtered air, see NBC air filtration.
What other requirements does the regulation set?
Key requirements include 2:
- Distance: the maximum distance from where people are to a protective structure is 500 m in cities and 1,000 m outside cities.
- Space: a net floor area of at least 1 m² per person.
- Air quality: CO2 must not exceed 2% by volume, and O2 must not fall below 18%.
- Water: bottled water is allowed in hideouts with a protection time of up to 48 hours.
The air-quality limits are why ventilation matters even in a small space; our guide on how much fresh air a shelter needs gives background.
How is a structure officially recognised?
Recognition is made by a municipal, district or voivode order, agreement or decision, after the State Fire Service and building supervision check that the building meets the technical conditions (Act Art. 89, 91) 12. A private owner can apply for recognition; the obligations and subsidy that follow are explained on our build a shelter page.
Who should design to these standards?
Design and construction must be done by qualified engineers. This page summarises the legal categories only; it is not a design guide. The regulation's detailed conditions rely on Polish Standards that an engineer will apply to your site 2.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between U and S categories?
U-1 to U-3 are hideouts and S-1 to S-3 are shelters. Only the S categories require protection against biological, chemical and radioactive contamination with sealing and filtration 2.
What radiation protection does a U-2 hideout give?
At least 100x attenuation of fallout gamma radiation 2. An S-1 shelter requires at least 1000x, and S-2 at least 1500x 2.
How much space per person does the regulation require?
A net floor area of at least 1 m² per person 2.
When did the regulation come into force?
On 28 November 2025 2.
Sources
- Sejm RP / Dziennik Ustaw — Ustawa z dnia 5 grudnia 2024 r. o ochronie ludności i obronie cywilnej (Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1907) — https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WDU20240001907/O/D20241907.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji / Dziennik Ustaw — Rozporządzenie Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 4 listopada 2025 r. w sprawie warunków technicznych dla budowli ochronnych oraz warunków technicznych ich użytkowania i usytuowania (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1548) — https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2025/1548/text.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Poland, 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
- Sejm RP / Dziennik Ustaw · Ustawa z dnia 5 grudnia 2024 r. o ochronie ludności i obronie cywilnej (Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1907) checked 2026-10-20
- Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji / Dziennik Ustaw · Rozporządzenie Ministra Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 4 listopada 2025 r. w sprawie warunków technicznych dla budowli ochronnych oraz warunków technicznych ich użytkowania i usytuowania (Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1548) checked 2026-10-20