The Dutch emergency kit (noodpakket): what Denk vooruit recommends
The Dutch government’s Denk vooruit (“Think ahead”) campaign asks households to be ready for the first 72 hours of an emergency. Its noodpakket includes bottled water (3 litres, 0.8 US gal, per person per day), long-life food, a battery radio, a torch, a first aid kit, blankets, a whistle, cash (€70 per adult, €30 per child), tools, hygiene items, copies of ID and spare keys.
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The noodpakket list, in English
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bottled water | 3 L (0.8 US gal) per person per day |
| Long-life food | Nuts, tinned vegetables, dried fruit; also UHT milk, oats, peanuts, pasta or rice, tinned beans and fish |
| Battery radio and phone with power bank | To follow the latest news |
| Torch with spare batteries, candles and matches | Light in a power cut |
| First aid kit with instructions | For injuries until help arrives |
| Blankets | To keep warm |
| Whistle | To let emergency services know where you are |
| Cash | €70 per adult, €30 per child |
| Tools | Such as a hammer, saw and pliers |
| Hygiene | Hand gel, toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitary towels, toothpaste and toothbrush |
| Documents | Copies of ID and a list of important phone numbers |
| Spare keys | House and car |
Denk vooruit stresses that most of these things are already in your home. Keep them together in a handy, easy-to-reach place, with a bag next to them in case you suddenly have to leave, and check the kit every six months.
Water: 9 litres per person for 72 hours
At 3 litres per person per day, the Dutch figure is 9 litres (2.4 US gal) for one person, 18 litres (4.8 US gal) for two and 36 litres (9.5 US gal) for four. Because Dutch tap water is high quality, you can bottle your own:
- Use clean bottles or jerrycans that close well (glass is ideal).
- Wash your hands, and make sure the tap and sink are clean.
- Fill with cold tap water, close the bottle and write the date on it.
- Store cool and dark, and replace the water every six months.
If you live on the second floor or higher, Amsterdam’s water company notes that a power cut can reduce water pressure, because many tall buildings use electric pumps. Store a little extra.
When tap water fails
If no water comes from the tap for more than 24 hours, water companies hand out emergency drinking water from mobile tanks at distribution points chosen by the municipality: at least 3 litres per person per day (2 to drink, 1 for preparing food). Bring your own bottle, pan or jerrycan, and boil the water for 3 minutes before use in case your container wasn’t perfectly clean. If tap water doesn’t meet quality standards, you’ll get an NL-Alert telling you to boil it for 3 minutes.
Pets
There is no ready-made emergency kit for animals, so the Dutch government suggests packing food and water for them yourself: 50 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day. A 10 kg (22 lb) dog needs 0.5 litre (17 fl oz) a day, 1.5 litres (0.4 US gal) for 72 hours. Add any medicines. See our pet kit.
Flooding: the Dutch risk
A large part of the Netherlands lies below sea level, and Denk vooruit has specific advice on what to do if flooding threatens, including whether to evacuate or go to a higher floor. Add the items from our flood kit if you live in a low-lying area: a dry bag, a waterproof head torch and wellington boots.
The noodpakket, item by item
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food-grade water container | Storing tap water | 10 L (2.6 US gal) | Check price on Amazon |
| Crank and solar radio | News without power | FM/AM, USB | Check price on Amazon |
| LED torch | Light | Rechargeable or AA | Check price on Amazon |
| First aid kit | Every home | With instructions | Check price on Amazon |
| Whistle and foil blanket | Signalling and warmth | Pocket-sized | Check price on Amazon |
| 20,000 mAh power bank | Phone and NL-Alert | USB-C | Check price on Amazon |
We don’t list prices because they change often. Use the button to see the current price on Amazon.
The Dutch list maps almost exactly onto our basic 72-hour kit and printable checklist.
Questions people ask
What is in the Dutch noodpakket?
Bottled water (3 litres per person per day), long-life food, a battery radio, a phone with power bank, a torch with batteries, candles and matches, a first aid kit, blankets, a whistle, cash, basic tools, hygiene products, copies of ID, a list of phone numbers and spare house and car keys.
How much cash does the Dutch government recommend?
€70 per adult and €30 per child, according to the Denk vooruit kit leaflet published in May 2025.
Can I use tap water for my Dutch emergency kit?
Yes. Dutch tap water is high quality. Fill clean bottles with clean hands, close them well, store them cool and dark, and replace the water every six months.
What happens if tap water stops in the Netherlands?
If there is no tap water for more than 24 hours, water companies distribute emergency drinking water, at least 3 litres per person per day, from tanks at points chosen by the municipality. Bring your own clean containers and boil the water for 3 minutes before use.
How does the Netherlands warn people?
Through NL-Alert messages on mobile phones, sirens, radio and TV, and the websites of the government, water companies and safety regions.
Keep reading
- The EU 72-hour recommendation explained
- How much water to store for 72 hours
- How much cash to keep at home, and which documents to copy
- /kits/flood/
Sources
- Denk vooruit: Stel je noodpakket samen (build your emergency kit)
- Denk vooruit: Drinkwater (drinking water)
- Netherlands government: Denk vooruit
- European Commission (DG ECHO): EU Preparedness Union Strategy, 26 March 2025
- Denk vooruit: Een noodpakket samenstellen (PDF, May 2025)
- Denk vooruit: FAQ on the emergency kit
- Waternet: Water in your emergency kit