I’ve been thinking about how prepping here in Europe feels pretty different from what we often see in the U.S., and I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

For one, we don’t always have the same access to bulk supplies as American preppers, so stocking up on essentials can be trickier—and more expensive. I’m curious how others handle this. Have you found affordable ways to build up supplies gradually?

Defense is another area where we differ. With Europe’s strict gun laws, a lot of us don’t have firearms in our plans, so we’re left focusing on non-lethal options and physical security. What strategies do you use for home or personal defense given these limitations?

There’s also the issue of modifying property or vehicles. Between strict building codes and vehicle regulations, things like custom “bug-out” cabins or fully outfitted prepper vehicles are harder to set up here. How have you tackled these barriers if you’re aiming for off-grid or mobile setups?

Finally, European prepping often seems to take a more community-focused approach, with an emphasis on local support networks. Do you find community prepping is important for your plans? And do you think our threat perception is different—like focusing on power cuts or supply chain issues over large-scale social collapse?

Would love to hear what you all think! How have you adapted your prepping to fit these European realities, and are there strategies you think work particularly well here?

Hello EuroPreppers,
I was never much of a prepper, but before emigrating to Spain I would have a few five gallons buckets with Gamma Seal lids full of supplies/food. Buckets like that are pretty ubiquitous in Canada/US, but I don't really see any equivalents here. You can buy non-food grade (and absurdly priced) buckets from car detailing websites it seems, but I can't find any just regular standard food grade buckets that would hopefully fit some sort of screw off lid (Gama Seal, etc).

Anyways, just wondering if anyone has some advice. I live in Valencia so the recent events have pushed me to start preparing at least a bit again!

"Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has revealed a new website to advise people on how to protect themselves from various risks, including biosecurity crises, flooding, power outages or another pandemic." via sky.com

Webpage is: https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk

Just watched Apocalipsis Z, and I have to say it was refreshing to see a survival/prepping story based in Europe (Spain, in this case). Even though it’s fiction, it felt more relatable than some of the usual U.S.-centered scenarios.

In Belgium, I enjoyed Cordon and Black-Out for their unique takes on crisis situations and societal breakdowns. I’m curious to know if there are other European survival/prepping series or movies that you all would recommend.

Do you have any favorites? I’d love to expand my list with more European-based survival fiction. Let’s hear your picks!

I just read about the looting happening in Valencia after the recent disaster, and it got me thinking. I’ve always believed that in times of crisis, most people pull together, and only a few take advantage of the chaos by looting or causing trouble. I assumed this would be especially true in Europe, where guns aren’t as common as they are in the U.S.

Because of that, I’ve always prepared for tough situations, but I never really considered the possibility of a breakdown in law and order. Now, I’m wondering if I’ve been naive or if this is just a case of a few isolated incidents being blown out of proportion.

If anyone from Valencia or nearby could share what they’ve experienced, I’d really appreciate it. Is the looting really as bad as it sounds in the news? Are people’s homes being targeted, or is it mostly limited to stores and businesses?

My region just received a year's worth of rain in a single day, flooding entire towns within hours. So far, 202 people have lost their lives (though the final number will likely be much higher), and over 2,000 are reported missing. Entire towns now resemble war zones.

One morning, you have a normal life in a typical European country, and 24 hours later, there's no internet, no food, supermarkets have been completely looted, and thieves are running wild. There are literally bodies on the streets, emergency services are overwhelmed, and you may have lost loved ones. Homes have been destroyed by rain that reached up to 4 meters in some areas, and you realize you can’t rely on the government to save you.

We often take things for granted, assuming we'll have time to prepare or that these terrible events we see on the news won’t happen to us. This has been a wake-up call for many, but hundreds won’t get a second chance. Stay alert and prepared, always.

Hello! I am considering buying a portable solar pannel to charge small stuff - such a mobile phone. I would prefer it to be light and easy to pack. I don't even know where to start. Could you please share important things to bear in mind when choosing one / recommendations? Thanks in advance!

First and foremost, my thoughts are with all the families impacted by the devastating natural disasters in Spain. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, and it highlights the importance of preparedness.

In light of these events, I’d like to open a discussion for anyone willing to share their experiences and lessons learned from this or previous disasters. What strategies or preparations have been effective for you?

Many regions in Europe could benefit from these insights, especially considering the extensive destruction of crops, basic needs, homes, and vehicles. What can we do to help those in need, and how can we better prepare ourselves for similar situations in the future?

If you have knowledge about effective emergency supplies, community response strategies, or ways to support recovery efforts, please share. Let’s come together to learn and strengthen our resilience as a community.

Hey folks,

I’ve been prepping for a while now, and like many, I've learned a lot of things the hard way. There were definitely some rookie mistakes I made early on (anyone else buy a ton of stuff without a solid plan?). Looking back, I realize how easy it is to focus on gear and overlook essentials like skills, organization, and community.

For me, one of the biggest mistakes was storing too much in one place and not rotating supplies regularly. I’ve since learned the value of diversifying locations and checking expiration dates religiously. It’s been a bit of trial and error, and I’m still refining things as I go.

I’d love to hear from the community—what were some common mistakes you made when you started? Or maybe ones you see others make? Let’s share our experiences and hopefully save each other some headaches down the road!

I’ve been curious about what kinds of items would hold the most value in a serious SHTF situation. Personally, I’ve set aside some extra bottles of alcohol for bartering—not just because they’re in demand, but they could be useful for morale or even as a disinfectant in a pinch.

What’s in your barter stash? Do you lean more toward practical things like tools and meds, or do you prefer comfort items like coffee or cigarettes? Let’s swap ideas!

I've been thinking about how much I want to prepare for disasters and I've come to the conclusion that you get the best "return on investment" by being either a practical minimalist prepper, or a doomsday prepper.

I have made a video about it that you can check out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI-OuUQ4O7I

Am I right or wrong? Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Climate change, volcanic eruption, pandemic, civil unrest or maybe even war are a few examples of why some of us become preppers. Comment below and let us know what you prep for and why, also as a follow up question; how do you tailor your prepping and the items in your prep to your reason?

A question has been on my mind recently about how we, as preppers, approach our interactions with the people around us. Some are very proactive in seeking out like-minded neighbors, working together to build community networks and resilience. Others might keep it more low-key, maybe just exchanging pleasantries but not going deeper into preparedness discussions. And then there are those who fully embrace self-isolation, choosing to go it alone and not involve anyone else in their plans.

Where do you fall on this spectrum? Do you actively look for community members to connect and prepare with? Are you more of the person who just says hi when you see your neighbor, without diving into serious conversations? Or do you keep things completely to yourself for privacy or security reasons?

I’m especially interested in the why behind your choice. Do you see value in building community for mutual aid, or do you think that the lone-wolf approach offers better security and independence?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 🌍

Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I started prepping and wanted to hear your stories. For me, it wasn’t some major doomsday scenario or Hollywood-style disaster. It was more about the gradual realization of how fragile our modern systems are—supply chains, energy, even political stability.

After seeing a few crises like the pandemic, energy shortages, and inflation, I started taking steps to become more self-reliant.

Curious to hear what got you started. Was it a specific event? A gradual shift in mindset? Let’s discuss!

BBC News - Brutal lessons of 1984 nuclear bomb drama Threads https://www.bbc.com/articles/crl8nj3xxp7o

Edit: finished watching it. Left me stunned. Recommended to every prepper, European or otherwise.

Original post: I haven't seen the movie yet, it's on BBC4 tonight and on BBC streaming service Iplayer later.

It's just an old movie, but apparently very accurate in describing the reality of one British city after the worst happens.

I’ve been using my electric car with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) for off-grid situations, and it’s been a game changer for having electricity in remote locations. Whether I’m camping or working somewhere without power, I can plug into my car to run essentials like lights, tools, or a small fridge.

It’s super convenient—no need for a generator or fuel. The car is silent, clean, and provides plenty of power. I charge it at home using my solar panels, storing that energy and bringing it with me to stay off-grid longer. Plus, it doubles as a home battery during power outages, having the possibility to keep critical devices running without any extra equipment.

If you’re often in remote locations and want reliable power, or need backup for your home, an EV with V2L has been the perfect solution for me.

I try not to go full doom sayer. I‘m in austria, i i‘m well off financially, as is my soon-to-be wife.

But with ukraine happening not that far away, right wing politicians on the rise, and subsequent erosion of european togetherness, i can hear my grandmas and moms advice in my head. Grandma grew up under russian and american occupation („always have coffee, beans and instant, chokolate bars, and tons of cigarettes on hand. Nobody cares for paper money if it comes down to it. And know some russian.“), and survived by having the right supplies to oil the right gears with the right people.

My mom grew up in the cold war, worked in moscow and east berlin for the government and got exposed to some of the more clandestine sides of the conflict. She still keeps paper money as well as gold hidden, just in case electronic banking goes down.

I have prepared go bags for 2 people, basically to sustain us for 3-5 dats on the road with rations, medical and trauma, makeshift shelter and warmth in case, water purification means, power banks and small solar, so many lamps, and pepper spray if all else fails. All packaged small, cant and wont carry my entire apartment with me.

Would you go harder? I have the opportunity to get two surplus abc masks (with proper filters), which im thinking about to make it through tear gas if i need to leave the city, and even police surplus soft body armor, but it just feels paranoid to me. But looking at the flooded areas, looting and riots arent out of the question, and i know too many people with guns (i own several myself as a sport shooter, but i’m not going to lug my AR 15 and 9mm around to get clubbed over the head for it).

I just want to feel like if order collapses for a while, i want to be able to pack myself and my spouse up and head to the countrysideto shelter with friends and family.

Edit: just saw that orban hinted at not defending should putin march to hungarys borders. This shit just keeps on giving.

Hey fellow preppers,

I’ve been thinking about the best options for remote bug-out camping and wanted to get your thoughts on this. When SHTF and you need to get out of dodge, what would you prefer: a tent, a caravan, or a motorhome?

Here’s my breakdown:

• Tent: The most agile and portable option. It can go anywhere, and you can carry it on your back, making it perfect for stealth or when roads are blocked. Great for short-term survival or in situations where you need to move fast and stay hidden. However, it's not the best in harsh weather, and it lacks any serious protection from the elements.

• Caravan: A solid middle ground. More mobile than a motorhome and easier to set up than a tent. You can park it anywhere, and it gives you much better shelter from the elements. Great for long-term bug-outs when you want a stable base but still need the option to move. However, towing it requires a vehicle, and that can limit mobility depending on the terrain or fuel availability.

• Motorhome: This is your mobile fortress. It provides the most comfort and protection, with everything you need in one place—water, power, and even cooking facilities. Ideal for harsher climates and long-term survival, but it’s bulky, harder to maneuver, and can quickly become a target in a crisis. Plus, fuel dependency is a major downside.

What’s your go-to for a bug-out scenario? I’m leaning towards a caravan, since it offers a good balance of mobility and comfort, especially if you’re dealing with colder climates or bad weather. But I’d love to hear how you all weigh the pros and cons!

I know most things in cans do alright after their expiration date. How do you think canned cake fairs? I found a couple of missed tins that expired in 2019.

Let's hear ya folks. I'm a big proponent of bugging out, but that's due to my living conditions. I'm in a highly-populated area that's not suitable for bugging in.

Having said that, I see the appeal of bugging in, so I want to hear what are your preferences and whether your hands are forced, much like mine.

As a bonus, I'd love to hear what are your 5 must-have items for both bugging in and bugging out.

Cheers!

Just joined, are we prepping for a zombie apocalypse or something more likely?

Hello,

I've been thinking about starting a prepper-centered online store for a while now. I've noticed that I've not found a store with a big enough catalogue that makes it easy to order (most) of what I need.

Now, I know what I want in that online store, but my question is, what would you want? Are there rarer items that you would want to be easily accessible? And is it even a good idea?

EDIT: I'm based in Belgium if that changes anything.

I’ve just come across my 25 years old 2 cell-D Maglite. It’s very robust but the light is not that bright. I did change the batteries that still were working after all these years and changed the light bulb with a white LED. But still is difficult for me to carry it around and the light distance is not that great. Do you guys prefer an old school light or prefer the new ones?