In a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the question of Greece’s civil defense readiness has resurfaced. According to official data, there are nearly 3,000 war shelters across the country — but concerns remain about their maintenance and operational readiness.
Nearly 3,000 Designated War Shelters Across Greece
The Civil Emergency Planning and Civil Protection Unit, under the Ministry of the Interior, is responsible for ensuring that civilians have access to safe refuge in the event of war or emergency.
According to an official reply by the Ministry of the Interior to a parliamentary question, there are currently 2,892 designated war shelters across Greece, with an official capacity of 1,981,514 people.
Authorities estimate that an additional 30% theoretical capacity – around 594,454 people – could be accommodated, bringing the total potential shelter capacity to approximately 2,575,968 individuals.
Capacity and Regional Breakdown
The distribution of war shelters varies across regional units.
For instance, in the Regional Unit of Pieria, 14 shelters have been designated, providing refuge for 41,537 people – again with a possible 30% expansion under emergency conditions.
Unanswered Questions About Readiness and Maintenance
While the total number of shelters appears substantial, key questions remain unanswered.
The Ministry has not provided information about:
- Whether a comprehensive, up-to-date registry of shelters exists, listing their location, condition, and accessibility.
- Whether maintenance inspections have been carried out in recent years and what their findings were.
- Whether any funding or programs are planned to upgrade existing shelters or build new ones to meet modern safety standards.
These gaps highlight a major issue: having shelters is not the same as having functional ones. Without regular inspections, updated infrastructure, and clear communication with the public, the civil defense network remains largely theoretical.