Someone Owns Tuesday · Extra 2
The EU's 72-hour list has no prices. The kits do.
What we read for the episode on the EU's 72-hour guidance: the European Commission's new preparedness guidelines and its staff working paper on 72 hours of self-sufficiency, the citizens' panel report that came with them, the Dutch government's emergency-pack list and campaign, Germany's federal civil protection guide, the US government's kit page and British Columbia's. Two Dutch consumer programmes, the Dutch consumers' association and one market-research release add what the market for ready-made packs looked like in the Netherlands.
Sources read 10 Nov 2026 · updated 13 Nov 2026 · Watch the episode
In short
- The EU's list has no numbers, and it asks authorities not to call supplies at home an “emergency kit”. 8:05
- The Dutch list says 3 litres per person a day and €70 in cash per adult. The cheapest pack on one big webshop had no drinking water and no food. 8:14
- Our arithmetic. Our basket for that list, bought new for one adult on 10 November 2026: €116.76. The water and food: €22.58. 8:26
- Our reading. What you'd need first is the cheap part, and it's the part both packs we read leave out. 8:38
- Not published. How much Europe really spends on these packs. 8:45
- The list is free. The water is €3.89. The box is where the prices start. Case open. 8:50
Worth knowing
- The EU paper is guidance for national civil protection authorities, and it says itself that it is non-binding. Its advice to avoid the term "emergency kit" is about keeping supplies for staying at home apart from the bag you take when you leave; its warning about preparedness being commercialised is a separate point, ten pages earlier.
- The water amounts are each government's own, and they don't cover exactly the same things: about 3 litres a day in the Netherlands, ideally 2 in Germany (half a litre of it for cooking), and one US gallon (about 3.8 litres) for drinking and sanitation in the United States. The three-day totals are our arithmetic.
- The €116.76 is our own basket: the Dutch government's list for one adult for 72 hours, every item bought new from one big Dutch supermarket's webshop on 10 November 2026, with the emergency radio at that week's offer price (€126.76 at its recommended price). The food is our example, as the list gives no amounts; blankets and tools are left out because the government says you probably have them. The €70 in cash is set aside, not spent.
- The ready-made packs were read on one big Dutch webshop on 10 November 2026. The cheapest is listed for four people and our basket is for one, so we compare what is in the box, not a price per person. Shops and sellers aren't named; the receipt, the boxes and the other drawings are illustrations.
Sources
European Commission, Guidelines on Population Preparedness, C(2026) 8250 final (Council document 15243/26)
The European Commission adopted its Guidelines on Population Preparedness, C(2026) 8250 final, in Brussels on 30 October 2026; the Council received them the same day.
“COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION Guidelines on Population Preparedness under the EU Preparedness Union Strategy” · “Brussels, 30.10.2026 C(2026) 8250 final” · “date of receipt: 30 October 2026”
The guidelines and the 72-hour paper are non-binding, and the paper is meant mainly for national civil protection authorities.
“The guidelines, while non-binding, are intended to encourage EU Member States (MS) and UCPM Participating States (PS) to develop their preparedness initiatives according to their own national organisation.” · “This guidance, while non-binding, is intended to encourage EU Member States” · “This guidance is intended primarily to support national civil protection authorities”
European Commission, staff working document on reaching a population self-sufficiency of at least 72 hours, SWD(2026) 826 final (Council document 15243/26 ADD 2)
The 72-hour guidance is a Commission staff working document, SWD(2026) 826 final, that comes with the guidelines under Action 28 of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy.
“COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Implementation of Population Preparedness Guidelines on Reaching a Population Self Sufficiency of at least 72 Hours under the EU Preparedness Union Strategy” · “Guidance under Action 28 on reaching a population self-sufficiency of a minimum of 72 hours (SWD(2026) 826)”
The paper's list of essential items for at least 72 hours, as categories: food, stored water, alternative heating or cooling and lighting, medicines and first aid, hygiene and sanitation, a way to receive emergency information, cash, and an offline payment method where available.
“Essential items to meet basic needs during severe disruptions or prolonged interruptions to critical societal functions:” · “Stored water for essential use (drinking, basic cooking, hygiene).” · “Alternative heating/cooling and lighting.” · “Medicines and first aid equipment.” · “Personal hygiene and sanitation supplies, including arrangements for toilet use and waste management.” · “Equipment to receive emergency information and maintain communication (e.g. radio powered by batteries, fully charged power banks).” · “A reserve of cash, including small notes and coins, for essential household purchases in case digital payment systems fail.”
The paper puts no amount, volume or duration on any item: no litres, no kilos, no euros.
We read all 30 pages for litres, kilograms and numbers next to an item. The only durations are the 72 hours themselves, given as a minimum, and “a week or longer” for countries that go further.
The paper asks authorities to keep supplies for staying at home apart from the bag for leaving, and, to avoid confusion, not to call household supplies an “emergency kit”. It is advice on wording for authorities, not a rule for shops.
“It is important to distinguish between:” · “Household preparedness supplies, for staying at home.” · “Emergency bag/emergency backpack or grab-and-go bag, for evacuation.” · “To avoid confusion, communication should clearly separate these two concepts and avoid using terms like ´emergency kit´ for household preparedness.”
Among sample questions the public may put to authorities, the paper lists “What exactly should I prepare and how much do I need?” Its suggested response is advice to the authorities, not an amount.
“Sample questions that may arise and suggested responses” · “Question: What exactly should I prepare and how much do I need?” · “Response: Provide clear, practical and detailed guidance focused on basic needs (water, food, medicines, information) and simple starting points.”
Separately, in a box of challenges shared by countries, the paper lists the risk of preparedness being commercialised, and advises skills, planning and community over consumption. It doesn't link this to the word “kit”.
“Challenge: Risk of preparedness being commercialised.” · “Takeaway: Emphasise simple, affordable measures and encourage households to build on existing resources. Highlight skills, planning and community rather than consumption, and discourage misleading or fear-based commercial approaches.”
The 72-hour paper itself cites British Columbia's page “Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag” as an example, and its film for explaining the difference between an emergency kit and a grab-and-go bag.
“Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag” · “website with films” · “Canada: Government of British Columbia” · “A simple and clear explanation of the differences between a grab-and-go bag and an emergency kit”
The paper wants the advice to be affordable and realistic for people with limited income.
“Recommendations should be affordable, accessible, realistic for people with limited income and limited storage space or additional support needs.”
The Commission will study preparedness among low-income groups; the results are due in 2027.
“the Commission will carry out a study to look at preparedness amongst low-income groups. The results will be available in 2027.”
Dutch government, “Wat zit er in een noodpakket?” (What goes in an emergency pack?)
Also: Dutch government, Denk vooruit, “Stel je noodpakket samen” (Put your emergency pack together); Dutch government, news of 3 Nov 2025: the Denk vooruit (Think Ahead) campaign starts
The Dutch government's list: bottled water, about 3 litres per person per day; long-life food such as nuts, tinned vegetables and dried fruit; a battery radio and a phone with a power bank; a torch with spare batteries, candles and matches; a first-aid box; blankets; a whistle; cash; tools; hygiene items.
“Flessen water. Denk aan 3 liter per persoon per dag.” · “Eten dat lang houdbaar is. Denk aan noten, groente in blik en gedroogd fruit.” · “Radio op batterijen en mobiel met powerbank” · “Zaklamp met extra batterijen, kaarsen en lucifers.” · “EHBO-doos met gebruiksaanwijzing.” · “Dekens om warm te blijven.” · “Fluitje om hulpdiensten te laten weten waar je bent.” · “Contant geld.” · “Gereedschap, zoals hamer, zaag en kniptang.” · “Desinfecterende gel, wc-papier, natte doekjes, maandverband, tandpasta en tandenborstel.”
Our translation: “Bottles of water. Think of 3 litres per person per day.” · “Food that keeps a long time. Think of nuts, tinned vegetables and dried fruit.” · “Battery radio and mobile phone with power bank” · “Torch with spare batteries, candles and matches.” · “First-aid box with instructions.” · “Blankets to keep warm.” · “Whistle to let the emergency services know where you are.” · “Cash.” · “Tools, such as a hammer, saw and pliers.” · “Disinfecting gel, toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitary pads, toothpaste and toothbrush.”
The Dutch government advises €70 in cash for each adult and €30 for each child, for the first 72 hours.
“Doe ook € 70 voor een volwassene en € 30 voor een kind in het noodpakket voor de eerste 72 uur. Dit bedrag is een advies.”
Our translation: “Also put €70 for an adult and €30 for a child in the emergency pack, for the first 72 hours. This amount is a recommendation.”
The Dutch government says most of the items are probably already in your home; it names matches, a blanket and tools, and in its campaign news also water, long-life food, a torch, a power bank, a small first-aid set and cash.
“Een noodpakket samenstellen is makkelijk. De meeste spullen heeft u waarschijnlijk al in huis.” · “De meeste spullen heeft u waarschijnlijk al in huis, zoals lucifers, een deken en gereedschap.” · “Veel spullen heb je waarschijnlijk al in huis: flessen water, houdbaar eten, een zaklamp met batterijen, een powerbank, een klein EHBO-setje, contant geld, een deken.”
Our translation: “Putting together an emergency pack is easy. You probably already have most of the things at home.” · “You probably already have most of the things at home, such as matches, a blanket and tools.” · “You probably already have a lot of the things at home: bottles of water, long-life food, a torch with batteries, a power bank, a small first-aid set, cash, a blanket.”
The Dutch government's page warns that it never gives away free emergency packs.
“Let op: De Rijksoverheid geeft nooit gratis noodpakketten weg.”
Our translation: “Note: the Dutch government never gives away free emergency packs.”
The Dutch list's €70 in cash per adult is money you keep, so it sits beside the receipt, set aside, and is never added to the €116.76.
“Doe ook € 70 voor een volwassene en € 30 voor een kind in het noodpakket voor de eerste 72 uur.”
Our translation: “Also put €70 for an adult and €30 for a child in the emergency pack, for the first 72 hours.”
Germany's Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), “Planning ahead for crises and disasters”, English edition
Germany's civil protection office: ideally 2 litres of water per person per day, half a litre of it for cooking; supplies for 10 days if possible, and at least 3 days is a big help.
“How much water? Ideally 2 litres per person per day. Of this, 0.5 litres is intended as water for cooking.” · “You should be able to provide for yourself for 10 days if possible. But even having supplies set aside for at least 3 days is a big help.”
Germany's civil protection office calls first-aid kits a good backup if you don't want to buy the items one by one.
“First aid boxes or first aid kits contain materials for treating injuries. These provide a good backup if you don't want to buy the items individually.”
Ready.gov (FEMA, United States), “Build A Kit”
The US government's kit page: one gallon of water per person per day, for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
“Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)”
Dutch government, news of 3 Nov 2025: the Denk vooruit (Think Ahead) campaign starts
On 3 November 2025 the Dutch government started a multi-year campaign, Denk vooruit (Think Ahead), around 72 hours without water, power or internet.
“Nieuwsbericht 03-11-2025” · “72 uur zonder water, stroom of internet.” · “Daarom start de overheid vandaag een meerjarige Denk vooruit-campagne op tv, radio en online.”
Our translation: “News item 03-11-2025” · “72 hours without water, power or internet.” · “That is why the government today starts a multi-year Think Ahead campaign on TV, radio and online.”
Kassa (BNNVARA), consumer programme's website, 21 Jan 2026
A Dutch consumer programme reported ready-made packs priced at up to €1,500, and noted that the government nowhere says to buy a ready-made one.
“Webshops spelen in op de vraag naar noodpakketten en bieden pakketten aan met prijzen die oplopen tot wel 1500 euro.” · “zegt de overheid nergens dat je een kant-en-klaar pakket moet kopen”
Our translation: “Webshops are responding to the demand for emergency packs and offer packages with prices running up to as much as 1,500 euros.” · “the government nowhere says you have to buy a ready-made pack”
Consumentenbond (the Dutch consumers' association), “Koop geen kant-en-klare noodpakketten”
The Dutch consumers' association's headline: don't buy ready-made emergency packs; it advises putting one together yourself, as the government does.
“Koop geen kant-en-klare noodpakketten” · “Je kunt er beter zelf een samenstellen, zoals de overheid adviseert.”
Our translation: “Don't buy ready-made emergency packs” · “You're better off putting one together yourself, as the government advises.”
Radar (AVROTROS), consumer programme's website, 10 Feb 2025: the sellers' replies
In a written reply published by a Dutch consumer programme in February 2025, one seller said its pack for one person for three days cost €155 (cut from €170), and that the same parts bought separately came to €192.66. The seller wasn't sure which pack was meant.
“Mogelijk wordt er verwezen naar” · “voor 1 persoon voor 3 dagen, die tot een maand geleden 170 euro kostte en inmiddels is verlaagd naar 155 euro.” · “Als de afzonderlijke onderdelen van dit pakket los worden aangeschaft, komt de totaalprijs uit op 192,66 euro.”
Our translation: “Possibly the reference is to” · “for 1 person for 3 days, which until a month ago cost 170 euros and has since been reduced to 155 euros.” · “If the separate parts of this pack are bought individually, the total price comes to 192.66 euros.”
European Commission, Citizens’ report on the European Citizens’ Panel on Preparedness, SWD(2026) 829 final (Council document 15243/26 ADD 5)
A European Citizens' Panel of randomly selected Europeans (150 selected, 143 took part, March to May 2026) recommended that the EU make “the 72-hour kit” readily available to financially and health-vulnerable citizens.
“The EU should ensure that the 72-hour kit is readily available to financially and health-vulnerable citizens and should offer the kit directly to those in need when a crisis arises.” · “A total of 143 citizens from all EU countries took part” · “with 150 randomly selected, citizens from all 27 Member States”
In its reply, the Commission uses the phrase “72-hour emergency kit” when it describes the citizens' recommendation, and says its guidelines respond to it. It is describing their idea, not adopting the term.
“The Commission has taken good note of the citizens' recommendation for a 72-hour emergency kit (to help populations remain self-sufficient for the first three days or 72 hours after a crisis).” · “respond to this recommendation”
Government of British Columbia, PreparedBC, “Build an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag”
On British Columbia's page, the supplies you keep at home are the “emergency kit” and the bag you take when you leave is the “grab-and-go bag”.
“Stay at home with an emergency kit or” · “Leave immediately with a grab-and-go bag” · “A grab-and-go bag is a small emergency kit that's easy to take with you”
Our own arithmetic and reading
One big Dutch webshop's category of ready-made emergency packs listed ten packs on 10 November 2026, from €129 to €599. Seven are variants of one seller's two packs, so there are about five distinct packs.
As listed: 129, 169, 169, 169, 179, 179, 179, 289, 449, 599.
13 Nov 2026: the category now lists 13 packs (three more, at €279 each); the range is still €129 to €599.
Our basket comes to €116.76; water and food are €22.58 of it, about a fifth (19%). At the radio's recommended price it would be €126.76.
How we worked it out: 3.89 + 18.69 + 24.45 + 8.99 + 14.99 + 34.95 + 10.80 = 116.76 · water + food: 3.89 + 18.69 = 22.58 · 22.58 ÷ 116.76 = 19.3% · with the radio at 44.95: 116.76 + 10.00 = 126.76
The cheapest pack, €129, is listed for four people. Its listed contents: a crank/solar radio with a torch and a power bank, a solar power bank, a water filter, a foldable 15-litre water bag, a first-aid set, four emergency blankets, two survival bracelets and a whistle. No drinking water and no food.
“Aantal personen: 4”
Our translation: “Number of people: 4”
One US gallon is about 3.8 litres.
How we worked it out: 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 litres, so about 3.8 litres a day.
Water for one person for three days: 9 litres in the Netherlands, 6 in Germany, and just over 11 (11.4) in the United States.
How we worked it out: 3 × 3 = 9 litres · 2 × 3 = 6 litres · 3.785 × 3 = 11.36, about 11.4 litres. The three amounts cover slightly different uses (Germany's includes cooking, the US one sanitation), so they aren't ranked.
A market-research firm found in February 2026 that 34% of the Dutch had bought products for an emergency pack, while 13% recognised the campaign's name; sales of rechargeable emergency radios had grown exceptionally since 2024, a growth that began before the campaign; it told retailers and manufacturers there are opportunities. The firm is not named here.
“onder 13.544 consumenten” · “slechts 13% van de Nederlanders de naam van de campagne herkent, heeft maar liefst 34% al producten aangeschaft voor een noodpakket” · “de enorme stijging in de verkoop van oplaadbare noodradio’s, waarvan de afzet sinds 2024 uitzonderlijk hard is gegroeid” · “Die groei zette al vóór de start van de campagne in” · “Voor retailers en fabrikanten liggen hier kansen”
Our translation: “among 13,544 consumers” · “only 13% of the Dutch recognise the name of the campaign, yet as many as 34% have already bought products for an emergency pack” · “the enormous rise in sales of rechargeable emergency radios, whose sales have grown exceptionally strongly since 2024” · “That growth began before the start of the campaign” · “For retailers and manufacturers there are opportunities here”
Our basket for the Dutch list, one adult, 72 hours, every item bought new at one big Dutch supermarket's webshop on 10 November 2026: water 9 litres €3.89; food €18.69 (nuts, dried fruit, kidney beans, sweetcorn, two tins of tomato soup, crispbread, peanut butter); torch, spare batteries, candles, matches and a whistle €24.45; a first-aid kit €8.99; a power bank €14.99; an emergency radio €34.95 (that week's offer; €44.95 at its recommended price); hygiene €10.80 (hand gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, four rolls of toilet paper, sanitary pads).
Prices: Water 3.89 · food 5.49 + 3.49 + 0.65 + 1.19 + 2.96 + 1.22 + 3.69 = 18.69 · torch and the rest 9.99 + 6.99 + 1.69 + 3.29 + 2.49 = 24.45 · first-aid kit 8.99 · power bank 14.99 · radio 34.95 · hygiene 3.59 + 1.59 + 0.89 + 1.27 + 2.79 + 0.67 = 10.80 (euros, 10 Nov 2026, 19:25–19:36).
Not a price per person: the €129 pack is listed for four people, our basket is for one adult, and the €289 listing gives no number. So we compare what is in the box, not price per person.
Our reading of the two listings and our basket.
A €289 pack lists “Complete for 72 hours” among its selling points, says it holds almost all the government's basic items, and advises you to add food and drinking water yourself. It says so plainly.
“Compleet voor 72 uur” · “Aanvullend wordt geadviseerd om zelf nog toe te voegen:” · “Voedsel en drinkwater: Het overheidsadvies is om per persoon minimaal 3 liter drinkwater per dag en voldoende lang houdbaar voedsel voor 72 uur in huis te hebben.”
Our translation: “Complete for 72 hours” · “In addition, it is advised to add yourself:” · “Food and drinking water: the government's advice is to have at least 3 litres of drinking water per person per day and enough long-life food for 72 hours at home.”
If the seller's comparison is right, and you want exactly the products it chose, the pack is the cheaper way to get them. It compares the same products, not the government's list.
Our reading of the seller's own figures (€155 against €192.66, 2025 prices), which we didn't check.
The word on its own doesn't seem to be the problem: the citizens' panel, the Commission's reply and the paper's own example from British Columbia all use it. What the guidance is after is the confusion between supplies for staying at home and a bag for leaving. A list of needs isn't a product.
Our reading of the paper's p. 18, the citizens' report and the British Columbia page.
What you'd need first, water and food, is the cheap part of our basket (€22.58 of €116.76), and it's the part both packs we read leave out.
Our reading of our basket and of the two listings.
What we couldn't find
Not published: how much Europeans, or the Dutch, have spent on ready-made emergency kits. There is no official or independent figure; the only number we found comes from a paid market report that doesn't show its method, and we don't use it.
None of the documents we read gives this.
Not known yet: whether the Commission's 2027 study on low-income groups will look at what supplies cost.
None of the documents we read gives this.
Not known: whether the EU will ever put a number on any line of its list. For now the amounts are left to national guidance.
None of the documents we read gives this.
The companies' side
Nobody we quote has responded to this episode. The sellers' side is in their own words: one seller told a Dutch consumer programme in 2025 that its one-person, three-day pack cost less than the same items bought separately, and the €289 listing we read says plainly that buyers should add food and drinking water themselves, and that it holds almost all the government's basic items.
Corrections
None so far. If we get something wrong, the correction goes here with its date.