Bunker types compared
bunker24.lt offers four types of protective structures – block, underground, metal and Extra bunkers. Each has its own strengths: we have compared their construction, capacity, lead times and what each type is best suited to.
Shelter, blast shelter or collective protection structure?
Shelter, blast shelter or KAS: how the terms differ in law
In everyday speech, the words “bunker”, “blast shelter” (slėptuvė) and “shelter” (priedanga) are often used interchangeably. Under Lithuanian law, however, they are different facilities, subject to different requirements, different floor area standards and different responsibilities. Before commissioning a design, it is worth being clear about what your institution or business actually needs.
What the law says
The terms are defined in the Law on Crisis Management and Civil Protection of the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublikos krizių valdymo ir civilinės saugos įstatymas).
Shelter
A building, room, engineering installation or other facility capable of enabling the population, for a short period of time, to avoid factors posing a danger to life or health in the event of an air-raid alert, and of protecting against indirect fire and other kinetic threats during military aggression: blast waves, shrapnel, debris or stray bullets.
Blast shelter
A special-purpose structure or specially fitted room for members of the population who ensure the functioning of state and municipal institutions during emergencies or war, or who have been assigned essential tasks.
Collective protection structure (KAS)
A structure or room adapted to protect the population from factors posing a danger to life or health during an emergency or war.
Put simply
A shelter is currently for taking cover quickly for a few hours (from 2027 – up to 5, 24 or 72 hours depending on its level, see below), a KAS is for the population to stay for longer, and a blast shelter is for the uninterrupted performance of functions vital to the state.
How they differ in practice
| Shelter | Collective protection structure | Blast shelter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Short-term (currently up to a few hours) protection during an air-raid alert | Longer stays for the population and provision for their most basic needs | A workplace for institutions that keep the state functioning |
| Who uses it | The entire population | The entire population (facilities designated by the municipality) | Members of operations centres, people with essential tasks |
| Signage | A yellow square with the word “PRIEDANGA” (shelter) | A blue triangle on an orange square | Not marked with a special sign |
| Floor area per person | 1.5 m² of total floor area | 3.5 m² of usable (main) floor area | at least 2 m² in the rooms where people are protected |
| Typical examples | Underground car parks, basements, tunnels, stand-alone protective structures | Schools, upper secondary schools, cultural and sports centres | Purpose-designed buildings or rooms |
A “safe place” – when there is no shelter nearby
The Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) recommendations also use the term safe place. This is a place that can offer protection when there is no shelter nearby: a basement, an internal storeroom, a corridor or a bathroom without windows.
The two-wall rule
There should be at least two walls between a person and the outside of the building. Rooms on the top floor are not suitable.
A safe place is a temporary solution. It has no protective doors, no emergency exit and no structurally calculated design, so institutions where many people are present need a proper shelter.
What changes from 1 January 2027
On 11 June 2026, the Seimas (Parliament of Lithuania) adopted amendments to the Law on Crisis Management and Civil Protection (No. XV-1002). From 1 January 2027:
- shelters will be classified into three levels according to the duration of protection: level 1 – up to 72 hours, level 2 – up to 24 hours, level 3 – up to 5 hours;
- a shelter will be required not only in high-rise (more than 5 storeys) blocks of flats, but also in blocks of flats where more than 100 people may be present at the same time;
- building managers will have to appoint persons responsible for getting the shelter ready for use.
- Level 1 up to 72 h
- Level 2 up to 24 h
- Level 3 up to 5 h
As these amendments are implemented, related legislation of the Government of Lithuania and the ministries may also be updated. When planning a shelter, always follow the versions in force at the time.
If you are planning a shelter now, it is worth deciding straight away which protection level it will be designed for. bunker24.lt engineers help you make this decision right at the start of the design process.
Need help planning a shelter?
Our design engineers will assess your site, calculate the required floor area, recommend the most suitable bunker type and prepare the design solutions in line with STR 2.07.02:2024 (Lithuanian construction technical regulation on the design and installation of shelters). Price on request.
- Consultations on working daysMon–Fri 8:00–20:00
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace legislation or the designer’s decisions. Always check the requirements applicable to a specific site against the current versions of the legislation.
Information updated on 22 September 2026.
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Air-raid alert: what to do and how to prepare
Even the best shelter only helps if people know when and how to get to it. Here are the official PAGD recommendations: the four warning colours, what to do when you receive an alert, and what supplies to keep at home.
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Frequently asked questions: shelter, blast shelter, bunker
How does a shelter differ from a blast shelter, how much floor area is needed per person, is a building permit required and how much does installation cost? We have gathered answers to the most frequently asked questions about shelters and bunkers.
