Could you afford it? This is how much a private nuclear bunker costs in Europe

Interest in private nuclear bunkers is surging across Europe as geopolitical tensions escalate. But who can actually afford them, and which countries offer the safest refuge in the event of a nuclear strike?

From Cold War relic to booming industry

During the Cold War, underground nuclear bunkers were constructed en masse across Europe to shield the population from potential atomic attacks. However, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, most of these were dismantled, converted into museums, or simply abandoned.

Today, only a few remain operational, and according to experts, older models are unlikely to withstand modern-day nuclear strikes. Yet that has not deterred those seeking personalised protection. An increasing number of private companies are now offering nuclear bunkers for sale, Euronews reports.

• Unearthing secrets: Exploring Hungarian bunkers and their mysterious past – PHOTOS, VIDEOS

More expensive than a city flat

The cost of private shelters is steep. The most basic models (less than 10 square metres) cost between €3,000 and €5,000 per square metre – roughly the same as a modern studio or one-bedroom flat in a mid-sized European city.

But high-end or bespoke versions carry price tags that can reach the stratosphere, ranging from €170,000 up to €1 million.

Fittings vary accordingly: bunkers can come equipped with radiation-proof doors, ventilation systems, kitchens, private water tanks, and even solar panels or diesel generators. In the luxury bracket, you might also find living rooms, televisions, and an atmosphere more akin to an underground villa than a survival shelter.

German manufacturer BunkerBauer, for example, offers models with tear gas launchers and motion sensors.

Who’s buying nuclear shelters?

The demand is largely driven by a lack of confidence in government preparedness. According to the founder of Sweden’s Nuclear Bunker Company, most clients fear their governments would not be able to adequately protect them during a nuclear or other large-scale catastrophe. Most buyers come from Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands.

The trend began with the onset of the Russia–Ukraine war in 2022, and each new flare-up – such as recent drone incidents in Poland – has further fuelled interest.

• Escalation on the horizon? Poland demands UN response after Russian drone incursions

Where in Europe is safest?

Few countries still maintain active bunker systems today. Switzerland boasts the most extensive and well-known network, with legislation requiring shelters for every resident. The country has around 9,000 public and 360,000 private bunkers, offering protection for approximately 9.3 million people – essentially covering the entire population.

Sweden has around 64,000 shelters accommodating up to 7 million people. Stockholm’s Klara bunker alone can house some 8,000 individuals in an emergency.

Finland has more than 50,000 nuclear shelters, most privately owned, with capacity to protect roughly 4.8 million people.

• Hungary underground: The secret bunker near the Parliament in Budapest

The price of survival

While Cold War-era bunkers now serve mainly as tourist attractions in many countries, a new market for private shelters is emerging across Europe. One thing is certain: the cost of survival is high – so much so that, for most people, it remains an unattainable luxury.

To read or share this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar