European emergency preparedness following power outages

Following a major power outage in April 2025 that caused a grid collapse in the Iberian Peninsula and rendered digital payment systems unusable, European authorities and experts have emphasized household emergency preparedness.

Authorities in Spain and Portugal have highlighted the vulnerability of electronic systems, with economists advising families to maintain cash reserves. In France, recommendations include including cash in 72-hour emergency kits alongside items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, and non-perishable food. Recent guidance across the continent suggests maintaining a cash reserve to cover at least 72 hours of essential expenses to mitigate risks from power outages, cyberattacks, or natural disasters.

Specific financial guidelines continue to emerge. In Austria, the ‘Cash for all cases’ initiative suggests keeping up to 100 euros per household member, while the Netherlands recommends approximately 70 euros per adult and 30 euros per child. In Poland, the Ministry of Interior and Administration has issued guidelines for households to function independently for at least three days, recommending supplies such as 3 liters of water per person per day, food, medicine, and power banks.

Experts and the European Central Bank (ECB) note that during telecommunications or power failures, digital methods like mobile banking or cards may become unusable. Consequently, authorities advise prioritizing small-denomination banknotes to facilitate the purchase of essential goods like food, water, and medicine when ATMs are offline. Despite declining daily cash usage, the total value of euro banknotes in circulation has reached a record of over 1,636 billion euros, a rise attributed to economic uncertainty.