Swiss Cheese, Swiss Banks... and Swiss Bunkers?

I never understood the point of bunkers in Switzerland

I read an article recently entitled "Why Does Switzerland Have So Many Bunkers?" Having lived in Geneva from 2005 to 2010, I never really understood the point of bunkers. Switzerland’s bunker system seems almost mythical until you see it for yourself.

The city felt safe, completely insulated from the rest of the world. Everything ran on time, the streets were clean, and the biggest worry was whether the hedges were trimmed correctly.. The idea of heading underground to await a disaster felt distant, almost unnecessary. The bunkers, those heavy doors in apartment basements, were just part of the scenery, like the trams or Lake Leman.

Geneva’s calm is hard to overstate. The city is organized, predictable, and, frankly, a little smug about it. There’s a sense that nothing terrible could happen there. Even the weather is mild. The idea of a real emergency that would send people scrambling for shelter doesn’t fit into daily lifeife.

A Country That Remains in the Past

I believe Switzerland is a country that tries to remain in the past, and the bunker system is the perfect example. Remember that the United Nations was located in Geneva in 1946 after WWII, but Switzerland didn't join the UN until 2002.

After a national referendum in 1971, Swiss women won the right to vote in federal elections. Still, a Federal Supreme Court decision in 1990 forced the last canton to comply with the constitution.

The necessity of a bunker in Geneva felt like a relic, something left over from a different time. The Swiss bunker system has always been a bit of a national quirk—part security blanket, part relic. For decades, most people treated the bunkers as storage rooms or places to stash old skis and wine.

Switzerland’s bunker system, established in 1963, is another example of how differently the Swiss think. It is quirky and over-engineered but very Swiss. And if you ever find yourself in a Swiss basement, staring at a heavy steel door, you’ll know you’re looking at a piece of history. It shows a stubborn refusal to leave anything to chance, including official checks of all legislation.

Typical Enforcement

Private shelters, such as those in homes and apartment buildings, are primarily the owner's responsibility. However, cantonal authorities typically require owners to inspect their shelters regularly and report any issues. These inspections are usually self-declarations, but cantons can conduct spot checks to verify compliance. The frequency of these spot checks can range from every few years to more infrequent visits, depending on the canton’s resources and priorities.

In Geneva, the checks were scheduled every five years. We were given a heads-up to "repurpose" our bunker back to what it was supposed to be so that we would avoid any penalties. We used ours for food storage and a freezer, so only a few things need to be removed, and ensure that the door was not blocked. Our bunker had a window to the outside, but I don't think the steel door had ever been closed. The inspectors seemed to ignore it as well.

How The Bunker System Came About

The real push for bunkers began during the Second World War. Surrounded by Axis powers, Switzerland was determined to stay neutral but knew neutrality alone wouldn’t keep tanks from rolling over the border.

The government launched a massive civil defence program, building fortifications in the mountains and, eventually, in the basements of ordinary homes and apartment blocks. The idea was simple: if the worst happened, every citizen should have a place to shelter and a gun. Swiss men who complete their mandatory military service still have the option to keep their service rifle, but with some conditions.

After the war, the Cold War brought a new kind of fear. Nuclear weapons changed the game, and Switzerland responded by doubling down. In 1963, the government passed a law requiring every new residential building to include a nuclear shelter. This wasn’t just a suggestion—it was enforced. By the 1970s, the country was pouring concrete at a staggering rate. Bunkers popped up everywhere: under schools, hospitals, even under the Parliament building in Bern.

By the 1980s, Switzerland had enough shelter space for its population, over 8 million people. Some of these bunkers are massive, with thick steel doors, air filtration systems, and last-minute supplies. Others are more modest, tucked under apartment buildings, filled with rows of bunks and crates of emergency rations. The government even distributed booklets to every household, explaining what to do in case of attack and how to use the chemical toilets.

The end of the Cold War took some of the urgency out of the project, but the laws stayed on the books. Most new buildings still include shelters, though the requirements have relaxed slightly. Many older bunkers have been repurposed—some are now wine cellars, storage rooms, or even art galleries. But the infrastructure remains, a concrete reminder of when the world felt on the brink.

But with the war in Ukraine, there’s been a noticeable shift in how people think about them. Since 2022, the idea of civil defence has crept back into everyday conversation. The images of Ukrainian families sheltering underground, cities under threat, hit close to home for many Swiss. Suddenly, those heavy steel doors and concrete walls don’t seem so outdated.

While the government has quietly updated its advice, reminding residents where to find their nearest shelter and what to keep on hand, I don't think the Swiss are concerned.. The population still goes about their lives as usual. The bunkers are there, but they’re not front and centre. You won’t see people stocking up on canned goods or holding bunker parties. They are a people of

Why is it still a legal requirement?

If Switzerland ever decided its famous bunker system was no longer necessary, changing the law wouldn’t be as simple as flicking a switch. The shelter requirement is woven into federal legislation, specifically the Swiss Civil Protection Act (Bundesgesetz über den Bevölkerungsschutz und den Zivilschutz, or BZG). This law mandates that every resident must have access to a shelter, and that new residential buildings must include one or pay into a communal fund for public shelters.

To change this, the Swiss government must amend or repeal the relevant sections of the Civil Protection Act. In Switzerland, this process is deliberate and layered. First, the Federal Council (the executive branch) proposes changes, usually after consulting with experts, cantonal authorities, and the public. The proposal then goes to Parliament, where both chambers—the National Council and the Council of States—debate and vote on it.

Because civil protection is a sensitive topic, especially in a country that values direct democracy, any significant change could trigger a referendum. If enough citizens demanded it, the issue would go to a nationwide vote. This isn’t just theoretical; the Swiss have a long tradition of putting big decisions in the hands of the people.

On a practical level, if the law changed, building codes would be updated, and the requirement for new shelters would be dropped. Existing shelters could be decommissioned, repurposed, or left as they are. Some cantons might keep their own rules, at least for a while, since Switzerland gives a lot of power to local governments.

Phasing out the bunker requirement would take time, debate, and probably a public vote. It would be a significant shift for a country that’s spent decades building a culture of preparedness. There seems to be no political will to change the law. Meanwhile, building houses and accommodation continues to cost more and more.