With growing fears of a potential war in Europe, Germany is experiencing a surge in demand for nuclear shelters, according to a German estate agent specializing in bunkers and emergency shelters.
Last year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that Germans “must be ready for war by 2029.” These political messages, along with economic instability within Germany and soaring crime rates, make the local population pessimistic about the future.
Peter Aurnhammer, managing owner of German Bunker Makler, told Euronews that demand for these types of structures has risen “very significantly.” His company serves clients across Germany, many of whom are now installing private home shelters for protection.
Bunker Makler’s website notes that “there isn’t a single public shelter for civilians in Germany.” It adds, “Political developments over the past year have led to a shift in attitudes in society, so families are now taking steps to ensure their own safety.”
Other property agents in Germany have also begun marketing old bunkers where available, responding to increased public interest. A January report from the German Bundestag revealed that 579 shelters remain, offering roughly 478,000 spaces out of the original 2,000 built during the Cold War era. These include underground parking areas, train stations, and protected hospitals constructed during WWII.
