Short answer. The Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency (MCF, formerly MSB) asks every household in Sweden to be able to manage on its own for at least one week, with access to water, food, heat and communication 1. It recommends 3 to 5 litres of water per adult per day 3, a one-month supply of long-term prescription medicines 6 and, citing the Riksbank, 1,000 kronor in cash per adult 7.
How long should a Swedish household be able to manage alone?
At least one week. MCF puts it this way: "Being prepared for a crisis means being able to manage on one's own for at least a week" 1. The agency explains that the government's 2020 defence policy decision recommended that individuals prepare to manage on their own for one week, and that MCF has used the wording "at least one week" since 2024 1. The 72-hour figure used in the United States, Canada and by some Swedish municipalities is, in MCF's words, "better than nothing" 1. For the 72-hour approach used elsewhere, see /guides/72-hour-kit.
Long-term prescription medicines are the exception: MCF recommends one month's supply at home 6.
How much water does MCF recommend?
MCF recommends 3 to 5 litres of drinking water per adult per day, covering drinking, cooking and basic hygiene, plus water for pets 3. It also lists containers with caps, bottles, buckets with lids, plastic bottles for freezing water, and a means of boiling water 3. For how other agencies size water storage, see /guides/water-per-person.
What food should be in a one-week supply?
MCF's food advice is built around enough food for one week without shopping 4. It groups suggestions by role:
| Group | MCF examples 4 |
|---|---|
| Non-perishables | grains, cereal, pasta, rice, couscous, instant mashed potatoes, milk powder, tortillas, crispbread, crackers, salt, spices |
| Tinned goods | tomatoes, vegetables, fruit, ready-to-eat meals |
| High-protein | dried or tinned meat and fish, chickpeas, beans, lentils, cheese in a tube |
| High-fat | cooking oil, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, tapenade, peanut butter, nuts and seeds |
| Energy boosts | fruit custard, jam, chocolate, honey, protein bars, dried fruit |
| Drinks | coffee, tea, hot chocolate mix, blueberry and rosehip soup, juice, UHT milk |
| Children | gruel, infant formula, oatmeal, baby food |
Rotation and shelf life are covered in /guides/food-shelf-life.
How do you stay warm and informed without power?
For heat, MCF lists sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, warm and wool clothing, beanies and gloves, matches, fire-starters, candles, tea lights and a fire extinguisher 5. Its basics page adds a stove and fuel (preferably used outdoors), a kerosene lamp and fuel with adequate ventilation, and an alternative heat source fuelled by kerosene, LPG, diesel or wood 2.
For communication and light, MCF lists a radio powered by batteries, solar panels or a winding mechanism, a torch and headlamp with extra batteries, extra batteries and charged power banks, and a paper list of phone numbers: family, relatives, neighbours, hospital, municipality, emergency services and energy provider 2. Sweden's warning signals are explained on the alerts page.
What about medicines, hygiene and cash?
- Medicines: a home pharmacy with first aid kit, wound care and essential medicines 2, and one month's supply of prescription medicines for long-term treatment 6. See also /guides/vulnerable-people.
- Hygiene: toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitiser, nappies and sanitary towels, plus an emergency toilet made of plastic or garbage bags, compost litter or sawdust, and a bucket with lid 3.
- Cash: 1,000 SEK per adult in small denominations, which the Riksbank describes as about one week of essential purchases 7.
The full line-by-line list is on the kit page.
Frequently asked questions
Is 72 hours enough in Sweden?
MCF's guidance is at least one week. It calls 72 hours "better than nothing" but has recommended "at least one week" since 2024, following the 2020 defence policy decision 1.
How much cash should I keep at home in Sweden?
MCF, citing the Riksbank, recommends 1,000 kronor per adult in small denominations, roughly a week of essential purchases 7.
How much water per person per day?
3 to 5 litres per adult per day for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene, plus water for pets 3.
How many medicines should I store?
One month's supply of long-term prescription medicines 6.
Sources
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Home preparedness – prepping for at least a week — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Basics of home preparedness — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/basics-of-home-emergency-preparedness/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Access to water during a crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/access-to-water-during-a-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Access to food during a crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/food/access-to-food-during-a-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — Access to heat during a crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/access-to-heat-during-a-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) — One month's supply of medicines at home — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/one-months-supply-of-medicines-at-home/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) with Sveriges Riksbank — Payments and cash in times of crisis — https://www.mcf.se/en/advice-for-individuals/home-preparedness--prepping-for-at-least-a-week/payments-and-cash-in-times-of-crisis/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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- 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) · Home preparedness – prepping for at least a week checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Basics of home preparedness checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Access to water during a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Access to food during a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · Access to heat during a crisis checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) · One month's supply of medicines at home checked 2026-10-20
- Myndigheten för civilt försvar (MCF) with Sveriges Riksbank · Payments and cash in times of crisis checked 2026-10-20