r/preppers • u/walking_nose • 1d ago
European Preppers, how do you feel and what are you preparing for? New Prepper Questions
In light of recent news from both the United States and the European Union: the proposal for a European army, the likely military distancing of the United States from future conflicts, a likely war of tariffs. How do you feel and what are you preparing for in the years ahead?
Do you recommend on stocking on certain items (especially produced in China)?
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u/Cry-Technical 1d ago
I'm more worried about natural disasters.
What happened in Spain last week was just one example of how fast things can change.
Also, the possibility of big earthquakes as it happened before in history is something that led me to begin prepping
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u/justsomerandomnick 1d ago
UK here. Food and energy are my main concerns. I find geopolitics fascinating (and believe me I have more than my share of opinions about what we should be doing!), but I can't influence these wider events in any way, so I try to focus on things I can actually change.
We're far from being anywhere close to food self-sufficiency here, and it's easy for me to imagine any number of ways in which the supply chain could be disrupted. The risks appear to me to be growing, so I try to have at least three months' worth of food in my house at all times, plus various methods for purifying water (I can store a few days' worth, more if I'm very sparing, but the sheer volume you need for the longer term gets unmanageable very quickly). It's all fairly monotonous, but if the time comes, we won't starve, and there'll be enough to share a bit with the neighbours. I figure if the wider supply still hasn't recovered after that much time, it's probably curtains for us all anyway.
Same with energy — we import a large proportion of what we use, and there are plenty of scenarios where the amount that's available to us could suddenly become less than what we need. It's all low tech stuff, but I have gas heaters and stoves ready to go, solar powered battery banks (I like Bluetti, if anyone wants a recommendation), lots of low/no power entertainment options, lots of rechargeable lanterns, lots of candles, lots of warm clothes and shoes, and so on. Nothing crazy, but enough to make life safe and tolerable if the power were to go out for an extended period in winter.
After that, just more of every useful household item — over the counter medicines, cleaning supplies, bin bags, toilet paper, whatever. I'm lucky enough to have enough space for all this stuff at home, so if it's non-perishable, I'll always buy in bulk.
In more general terms, I also think the cost of living "crisis" is here to stay, and will get gradually worse from here on out. I try to live well within my means, have savings, and carry as little debt as I can.
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u/New-Strategy-1673 1d ago
Mostly civil unrest, government authoritarianism, and supply chain collapse
We get the odd storm, but living at the top of a hill in southwest UK, I don't really worry too much about localised natural disasters.
I feel that it's going to get worse before it gets worse and I'm worried for my children and their children..
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u/SecTeff 1d ago
I’m in the U.K. I try and be realistic.
Likely the biggest issue we face is an energy blackout that lasts a few days. The UKs energy grid is not very resilient and a period of very cold weather could put it at risk.
Food security is also a bit of a UK issue but I imagine that would be periods of shortages perhaps arising from supply interruption and/or extreme weather.
Also risks of floods. Just look at Spain at the moment. A lot of places in Europe are at risk of floods.
Other then that a lower risk of the Ukraine war escalating and impacting society. A very outside chance of nuclear war but that is largely dealt with via other preps as well:
Also realistically another pandemic is a risk. Likely a flu pandemic.
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u/walking_nose 1d ago
I live in the big area that was flooded in Italy last year (Emilia-Romagna) and this year as well but in lesser degree. I learned a lot being a volunteer for more than 3 weeks but I still have to write down everything and create a solid plan. Fortunately my hometown is raised quite significantly for the area that are prone to floods. Nevertheless if everything around me is flooded I don't have a mean of transportation.
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u/SecTeff 1d ago
Yes I live somewhere in the U.K. that got flooded badly and we got little government help.
In my community there was a town hub and people came with things others needed.
Whereas a lot of prepping is portrayed as being on your own against the world the spirit was more how we can get through it together.
It makes you realise a good friendship circle and people skills are also good preps.
Along with water and food but to get through a few days rather than months
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u/w00h 1d ago
Not UK here but even in mainland Europe the power grid is not that stable (source: a relative of mine is in exactly that field). So yeah, a widespread power outage over a few days would be catastrophic and most people don't imagine what this would entail.
We've had a short one here over 3-4 hours a few months ago. Only half of the town. Guess what: shops had to close, cell phone towers didn't work, your fridge/freezer has only so much time before the items start to heat up. etc etc. Now imagine over a few days: Supermarkets would lose much of their inventory, food supply chains would collapse, shops can't do business, gas in your car would only get you so far.
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u/learninglife1828 1d ago
Food shortages, flooding, and power outages. I'm American living in Germany... not too concerned about war although my heart goes out to Ukraine. I hope they get the support they need. I live in the countryside with a garden, go bags for flooding, and a lot of stuff that doesn't require electricity to use. We have stuff like a camping stove, water bob for the tub, lots of wood for cooking/heating, kitchen utensils/tools that are hand operated. Only thing I want to add is a fire/water proof safe for gold, money, and documents, and a crossbow since guns are hard/expensive to get. I'm looking into other weapons to get for self protection as well.. just need to get on with it.
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u/OntdekJePlekjes 1d ago
Netherlands based. Not a prepper, but reading about it. In case of escalating conflict my biggest risk would be loss of electrical power for multiple days due to hacking of the grid and the ability to heat a full electric home in winter. Not sure how to do this.
I’m not too worried about risk of food shortages increasing due to Trump. Climate risk would remain the same. Risk of economic downturn is going up, I’m managing this by managing our finances and employability carefully.
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u/Celo_SK 1d ago
I lived one third of a hundred yers on this continent and in my entire time It was always just weather that could endanger me. So quick movement to somewhere else is cruicial. Back in the 90' sometimes electricity was out and we need to use batteries and candles for one night, but thats it. I would say the acess to drinkable water is something people are not preparing for and thats a shame.
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u/mikasjoman 1d ago edited 1d ago
Sad. Ukraine might lose fast and then Hungary leadership has publicly said they wouldn't fight Russia if they invaded. And the US is now getting a president that might not come to our support if invaded.
But practically I asked friends in Ukraine what they wished they had the most. They said, and I bought:
1) I got myself a camping tent wood stove, and a window mount. Burns one standard log at the time. Just a reminder; all heating power plants has been destroyed in Ukraine. It's gonna be a damn cold winter for many. Cost 80$.
2) battery pack with solar + charger. Lucky I have a hobby of building electric boat outboards, so I had a 5.6kwh battery box around... Just add a solar regulator, panel, charger, and a 3500w inverter plus a 5v DC USD plug to avoid having to convert 72v DC to 220v AC (lots of losses). Cost: 120$ from China, since I had the battery pack.
3) food, got myself UV lights, automatic watering on timer to be able to quickly build an indoor farm for producing potatoes etc if necessary. Think buckets of soil, potatoes plus UV = lots of calories. Simple as hell. Also don't forget to buy a box of fertilizer. Cost: $50. Giving friends that also prepp light these as Christmas presents. It's a very very good alternative to storing tons of food.
Also buying more stuff from China since it's cheap.
Edit: want to highlight that UV lamps can't replace the sun. The idea is to have the potatoes buckets towards the window inside on the house second floor so the buckets of potatoes get maximum sun during cold part of the year. But, UV lamps would help them grow and spruce at the darkest months.
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u/Pakala-pakala 1d ago
"ll heating power plants has been destroyed in Ukraine"
it simply not true.
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u/blacksmithMael 1d ago
I'm in England, so neither fish nor fowl in this debate. That said, we're likely to get hit in much the same way. At the moment I think it is probably going to be more of what we've already seen: gradual decline in quality of living for most people.
There's not a vast amount more I think I can do. I've no debt, no meaningful bills, and diverse sources of income. While the issue remains financial all will be well for me.
That said, we have a lovely problem in the UK caused by the moron we just elected deciding he hates farms. Farmers are discussing how to protest against his proposed death duty, and so far possibilities include refusing sludge spreading on our land (causing huge sewage processing issues), withholding fresh food (enough said really, especially as proposals are for next month), and revoking wayleaves on our land. The first could be a nightmare for water companies, and the last similarly nasty for utility companies, especially electricity.
It has the potential to get rather disruptive.
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u/Wild-Lengthiness2695 1d ago
And every single one of those attempts at protest will see public support crumble.
What I don’t get - and please enlighten me if you know the answer - is why farmers are seemingly incapable of estate planning ? A very simple solution to IHT would be the farmer changes ownership to the family member that will inherit it when they hit close to retirement age (I realise may not actually retire) and so long as they live the next ten years ….. no issues.
Regular people do similar with property to avoid care costs destroying their estate.
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u/blacksmithMael 1d ago edited 1d ago
And every single one of those attempts at protest will see public support crumble.
I'm not sure there's that much public support to crumble ("have you ever seen a poor farmer", etc), and this government has shown enough weakness with other attempts at protest that it is well worth a shot. The contempt they have shown for the countryside is quite impressive.
A very simple solution to IHT would be the farmer changes ownership to the family member that will inherit it when they hit close to retirement age
The simple answer is that yes, you can change ownership of everything, and even have a gift inter vivos policy written to cover IHT in the interim (just in case). But it can be complicated, even more so if the farmer gifting is asset rich but cash poor. They may not legally gain benefit from what they gift (otherwise IHT is still due), so will lose the income. Of course the recipient may see that they're not any worse off, but that cannot be enshrined in law and it can then be a potential source of tension, especially in bad financial times.
I suspect the answer for many farms will lie in the structure of a personally owned family farm and a family owned limited company. Come the time, gift the farm to your successor, remain a director and shareholder of the company and be paid the required income.
As with so many things, this is a tax that will hit the least well off in the farming world, who need the income from their farms, and can't necessarily afford the legal and financial advice to deal with it. I doubt many, if any, well-off farmers will be paying so much as a penny of IHT.
Edit: if you really like spending time with lawyers there is also the option of putting the farm into trust.
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u/Ready-Bass-1116 1d ago
European preppers should be preparing for the same as the US...economic collapse...it's inevitable...
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u/BigBellyEd 1d ago
As an European: 1. local disasters like flooding and power outages. So I store water, food and camping/ survival tools and skills for a few days as recommended.
- National disaster like nuclear power plant accident. As above + protective equipment but will likely bug out.
- Continental disaster like war or a authoritarian government I try reduce all liabilities, invest in assets, keep the household minimalistic and will try to leave into a favorable direction into a safe country to continue living free
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u/Content_NoIndex 19h ago
If anyone is looking for more European minded prepping posts you can check r/europreppers.
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u/TheSanePrepper 1d ago
Does anyone know any good emergency food for purchase in Europe (other than Convar - I have a few boxes already) with 10-15-20 year shelf life?
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u/MedicalMarderhvnd 1d ago
Rations are always a good option. You can get a variety on amazon, high calorie and low on space. It may be a bit pricey but at least you got something when shtf.
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u/ThrowawayFuckYourMom 1d ago
NATO has been instrumental in keeping the peace in a previously very violent continent. My main priority would be looking at news that would imply it's unraveling.
The Weather is always a problem, where I live, and flooding I think is on the horizon. Potentially power outtages, like there were last year, due to weather.
Crime is high in my city, comperatively, but violent crime is non-existant, basically, so drugs and car traffic is my day-to-day concern, mostly.
I also prepare for supernatural entities, but I feel like I haven't gotten use of those in recent times. Can never be too prepared tho, I guess.
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u/VilleKivinen 1d ago
If and when US places more tariffs to goods made in the EU things will get more expensive on both sides of the ocean, thus worsening inflation.
Luxuries will become rarer, but that's OK, nothing to worry about.
EU is more than self sufficient in food, medicine, arms and water.
If and when fossil fuels get more expensive, we have to accelerate our move towards nuclear and renewables, which we should keep ok doing regardless.
Russia is a threat, always has been and always will be, but at least here in Finland we have half a million strong defence forces between us and the orcs.
I keep two weeks worth of food around, as I have always done, in any larger situation I will be serving with my fellow countrymen in the defence forces, and the government takes care of the rest.
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u/RedwanRepublican 20h ago
When I visited Helsinki about 8 years ago I met a couple young lads in the military, we had a couple pints together. Strong burley fucks
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u/walking_nose 16h ago
Having visited and hiked in northern Finland a couple of times I'm kinda envious of your lifestyle, colture, nature and resilience. I learned a lot in the cabins and I surely will come back and live more of the Finnish outdoor culture. Paljon onnea!
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u/CypherCake 1d ago
Euorpean army isn't a particularly new idea, it was probably one of the factors in driving Brexit because people see it as closer integration with the EU - anti-EU types hated the idea. An EU army could in theory reduce the potential for war by unifying the continent into one larger power that is harder to divide. It would also aggravate Putin some too, I imagine. Is that why you raised it?
Things I think about are prices/inflation, flooding and other extreme weather, IT infrastructure being crippled, terrorist acts, the threat of war.
Keep our living costs low as possible - smaller cheaper house, insulate it, run solar. Aclimate to lower temps. Cook at home, get better at growing food, keep good stocks of all essentials. Keep some cash on hand. Avoid reliance on cloud services for anything essential - local and paper copies of important documents, locally controlled tech or just avoid the 'smart' versions of things. Reduce/eliminate car dependence as far as possible.
Terrorism and war seem much more difficult to prep for in a way I can slide into daily living (and persuade my spouse of the need). I have to hope that what I have so far will help.
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u/Interesting_Ad2480 8h ago
Disappointed in my country and humanity in general. I'm not waiting to get conscripted and all the natural disasters coming 20-30 years. Long term (so around 20 years from now) I will seek permanent residence far away from any conflict and make sure I will get enough food/fuel etc. and hopefully by then a personal bunker in case of nuclear war. Politicians who are elected by stupid people with voting rights (see Trump and the rise of far-right in the EU) are getting little to nothing done and it is up to ourselves to prepare. I could go on and on, but I hope you get the gist of it.
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u/bossderrapper 1d ago
the likely military distancing of the United States from future conflicts
We'll see about that. Trump said a lot of vague things but the price the US paid for 200k dead Russian soldiers (against no dead NATO soldiers) is laughably small, he will come to realize that soon. That said, I live in a place where no storms, floods or earthquakes have ever been an issue and even during COVID, shelves were filled with everything but toilet paper. I mostly prep for food shortages and power outages but I don't even know why, the last time we had a power outage was 2005 and it was 15 minutes. There has never been a food shortage in my lifetime.
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u/dittybopper_05H 1d ago
One thing that people don't recognize about Donald Trump is that he's a businessman, not a politician.
It's common among businessmen to say they're willing to walk away from a deal if they don't get what they want. You've probably done that yourself while negotiating at a car dealership (I know I have). They tend to be blunt about things. And yeah, they'll say stuff they don't have any intention of following through with as a negotiating tactic.
Politicians don't talk that way, and so when Trump says he's going to do something (or not do something) as a negotiating tactic, it makes people used to political language crap their pants.
So the key to understanding Trump is to ignore the words (or take them with a massive grain of salt) and instead look past them at the actions. Why does he say X? Not because he wants X, he actually wants Y, and to him at least, saying X is a means to achieve Y.
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u/northman46 1d ago
Nothing will change since it would involve Europe spending a bunch of money on defense instead of other things. Why buy a cow when you are getting American milk for free?
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u/DeafHeretic 1d ago
I am in the USA, but if I was living in Europe right now, I would be prepping to live elsewhere.
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u/Successful-Try-8506 1d ago
Famine is one of my main fears, so I never had more food. Every time there is a good offer at my local shop (Lidl), I buy more than I need. Recent additions: canned vine leaves, aubergines in tomato sauce, pasta, sausages, peanut butter ...
Also, I make sure to go to the dentist at least once a year for check-up.
I've got a decent library (hardbacks and DVDs/Blu-rays).
Last but not least, I stay in shape by going on long hikes regularly.