Article

An investigation by Binnenlands Bestuur found that the Netherlands has no usable civil defense shelters, as most Cold War-era bunkers have fallen into disrepair or been repurposed. Of 190 municipalities surveyed, 116 reported having no bunkers, while only 35 maintained an up-to-date inventory.

Even Rotterdam, with the most bunkers, could not provide complete data. Many shelters are now used for various non-emergency purposes. Unlike the Netherlands, Switzerland maintains over 370,000 functional bunkers. The study underscores the lack of national legislation and planning in the Netherlands, leaving the country without effective civil protection.