European conflict preparations: the time for civilian preparedness has arrived
Europe is preparing for the risks it believes it is facing. As geopolitical tensions reach levels unseen since the Cold War, European governments are crossing a major symbolic threshold. In September 2025, three major continental powers simultaneously launched hospital wartime preparations: France ordered its hospitals to be ready by March 2026 to treat between 10,000 and 50,000 wounded ( Canard Enchaîné, August 26, 2025 ; Euronews, September 2, 2025 ); Germany is planning to treat 1,000 wounded soldiers per day ( Reuters, September 23, 2025 ); and Italy is working on a hospital resilience plan ( L'Opinion, September 16, 2025 ). These figures demonstrate an anticipation of high-intensity conflicts that our European societies have not experienced since 1945. Who can reasonably say that the time for civilian preparedness has not yet come?
France is mobilizing its hospitals
On July 18, 2025, Catherine Vautrin , the Minister of Health, sent a clear directive to French hospital directors: prepare to receive between 10,000 and 50,000 wounded soldiers by March 2026. This request, revealed by the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné in late August 2025, sent shockwaves through the French medical sector. Hospitals must now develop resilience plans that include managing massive influxes of casualties, reorganizing emergency services, and building up emergency medical supplies. The official objective: to be operational for a major conflict in Europe within the next six months.
Germany plans for 1000 casualties per day
Across the Rhine, preparations are just as concrete. This month, the German army unveiled its strategy for treating 1,000 wounded soldiers per day in the event of a conflict with Russia. The plan calls for the requisition of 15,000 civilian hospital beds out of the 440,000 available in the country. This capacity represents a level of military preparedness unseen since the Cold War.
Italy strengthens its resilience system
Italy, while adopting a more discreet approach, has incorporated similar measures into its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), endowed with €194.4 billion. This plan, approved in November 2024, includes specific components for preparing for major health emergencies.
The ECB recommends that citizens keep cash on hand: a strong signal
Alongside these hospital preparations, another signal arrived on September 24, 2025: the European Central Bank officially recommends that European citizens keep 70 to 100 euros in cash per person at home, "in case of 'major instability'" ( Le Figaro , Sept. 25, 2025).
This recommendation, published in a study entitled "Keep calm and carry cash," aims to cover essential needs for 72 hours in the event of a major crisis. The ECB explains that "the usefulness of cash increases when electronic payment systems may be compromised."
Geopolitical context: why now?
These measures are part of a growing hybrid warfare context . Since September 2025, several incursions by Russian drones have been documented in Poland, Romania, and Estonia (IRIS ). Russia is regularly accused of conducting a destabilization campaign against countries supporting Ukraine. The Ukrainian conflict, now in its third year, continues to escalate.
What can be done in practical terms?
In light of these official signals, individual preparation becomes essential. Government and institutional experts recommend assembling a 72-hour survival kit including:
- 100 euros in cash (as recommended by the ECB)
- Water reserves (3 liters per person per day)
- Non-perishable food for at least 3 days
- Complete first aid kit
- Battery-powered radio and spare batteries
- Essential medicines and medical equipment
At WildTactic, we recommend going further : €100 in cash is a bare minimum for 72 hours, but a major crisis can extend far beyond that. If the situation doesn't stabilize quickly, those who have prepared will fare better than those who rely on emergency services , which are inevitably overwhelmed in the first few days. In a context of scarcity, we therefore recommend at least €500 per person to cope with emergency inflation and the law of the highest bidder.
But money isn't enough if infrastructure collapses . Our WildTactic survival kits go far beyond official recommendations: portable filters for complete water self-sufficiency , long-life survival rations calculated for optimal nutritional intake, medical kits covering situations that overwhelmed hospitals can't treat, and more. When networks go down and help is delayed, this equipment makes the difference between enduring the crisis and surviving it safely. Because in those moments, self-sufficiency is priceless.
Energy independence, an absolute priority
In the context of hybrid warfare, energy infrastructure is becoming a priority target. Investing in autonomous lighting solutions, solar chargers , and alternative energy sources is no longer a luxury; it is responsible preparedness.
Conclusion: Europe is preparing. And you?
European governments are no longer mincing words: they are actively preparing for a major conflict by March 2026. Between the hospital preparations in France, Germany and Italy, and the ECB's liquidity recommendations, the message is clear.
The question is no longer whether a major crisis will occur, but when . In this context, individual preparedness becomes a responsible act of citizenship. Because when hospitals are preparing to receive tens of thousands of injured people, it's best to be self-sufficient for first aid and the initial days of recovery. The time for carelessness is over; now is the time for methodical preparation.