Cash in an emergency: why and how much to keep at home
In a power cut, cards and cash machines stop working. Why European authorities now advise keeping some cash at home, how much is reasonable and how to keep it safe.
In short
- Without power or internet, card payments, transfers and cash machines stop.
- Keep enough cash at home for a few days to a week of essential spending.
- Small notes and coins: in a crisis nobody has change for a big note.
- Split it between two or three places and don't talk about it.
We’ve got used to paying for everything by card or phone. But on 28 April 2025, when Spain and Portugal lost power, millions of people found they couldn’t even buy a bottle of water: card terminals were down, cash machines were off, banking apps wouldn’t open. The people with a few notes in their wallet were the only ones who could buy anything.
That’s why European and national preparedness advice now includes, alongside water and food, some cash at home. Several central banks, including the European Central Bank and the Dutch and Nordic central banks, have stressed the role of cash as a backup.
When electronic payments don’t work
- A power cut in your area: shops, gas stations and cash machines stop, except those with generators.
- Internet or mobile network failure: card terminals can’t connect.
- Cyberattacks or technical failures at banks and payment processors.
- Evacuation: you pay for accommodation, transport and food in places where you don’t know which payment methods are accepted.
How much to keep
There’s no official amount. A practical rule: enough for a few days to a week of essential spending for the whole family: food, water, medicines, fuel, maybe transport or a night’s accommodation.
Adjust it to your household’s size and needs. A few sources, such as the Dutch government, give indicative amounts per person; check whether your country does.
How to keep it
- Small notes and some coins. In a crisis, shops won’t have change.
- Split between two or three places: some in the go bag, some in a discreet place at home, perhaps a little in the car.
- In a sealed bag, protected from water and fire. A small safe or a fireproof document box is a good idea for documents and cash.
- Discreetly: don’t tell people how much you keep or where.
- Check it once a year, when you check your go bag.
What else helps
- A card from a second bank, as an alternative if your bank has technical problems.
- A full tank in the car, or at least half: gas stations may be closed.
- Home supplies, which reduce your need to buy anything in the first days of a crisis. See home emergency supplies.
Cash at home is for a few days. For longer crises, you need an emergency fund in the bank.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't it risky to keep cash at home?
A small amount for a few days of spending, kept discreetly, is a low risk compared with needing money and being unable to pay. Larger sums belong in the bank, where they're protected.
Should I keep foreign currency?
For everyday shopping you need local currency. A small amount in a widely accepted currency can help if you might have to cross a border in an evacuation, but it isn't a priority for most families.
Sources and further reading
Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.