Protective Construction in Poland: Billions in Investment Create New Opportunities for the Construction Industry

Protective Infrastructure Under Review

Poland is intensifying its efforts to develop protective infrastructure. According to data from the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service, cited in a parliamentary interpellation, as of 2 March 2026, a total of 81,823 shelter locations had been registered in the "Gdzie się ukryć" ("Where to Take Shelter") system, with an estimated capacity of more than 23.3 million people.

However, these figures do not mean that an equivalent number of places is available in fully equipped protective shelters. The registered locations also include facilities offering temporary protection, with considerable differences in their technical specifications and levels of safety.

At the same time, existing infrastructure is undergoing verification. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, by 19 September 2025, the State Fire Service had carried out 2,256 inspections of facilities. The assessments identified 1,107 structures that may fully or partially meet protective requirements and require further verification.

Billions of Zlotys for Infrastructure Development

The development of protective construction is receiving substantial financial support. The Polish Government's Civil Protection and Civil Defence Programme for 2025–2026 provides for expenditure of nearly PLN 34 billion, including PLN 17.2 billion in 2026.

The next step is the programme for 2027–2031, adopted on 6 October 2026, with a total budget of PLN 102.4 billion, of which approximately PLN 30 billion is allocated to regional and local authorities. One of its priorities is the construction of new collective protection facilities and the modernisation of existing ones.

New regulations concerning protective structures are another important element of these developments. The regulations establish requirements for the design and construction of shelters and protective facilities, increasing the importance of specialised engineering and construction expertise.

A New Growth Area for Businesses

Planned investments will generate demand for technologies and solutions that go beyond conventional construction. These include reinforced concrete and steel structures, blast protection systems, ventilation and air filtration systems, independent power supplies and solutions designed to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The adaptation and modernisation of existing buildings will also be an important area of development. For businesses, this creates opportunities to expand their portfolios, acquire new competencies and participate in projects requiring cooperation across multiple specialist disciplines.

SPECBUILD – A Platform for Technology and Cooperation

Against the backdrop of the growing importance of infrastructure security, the themes addressed by the SPECBUILD exhibition zone at BUDMA 2027 are becoming particularly relevant.

The zone focuses on specialist construction, steel structures, critical infrastructure and shelter construction. These areas are gaining importance as new regulations are implemented and multi-year investment programmes are launched.

SPECBUILD provides a platform for presenting technologies, exchanging knowledge and establishing cooperation between manufacturers, designers, contractors and representatives of the investment sector.

Protective construction is becoming an increasingly important segment of the construction industry. The scale of planned funding and new technical requirements indicate that expertise in this field will continue to grow in importance over the coming years.

Discover Specialist Construction Solutions at BUDMA 2027

We invite you to attend the 35th edition of BUDMA International Construction and Architecture Fair, taking place from 26 to 29 January 2027 at the Poznań International Fairgrounds in Poland. Visit the SPECBUILD exhibition zone to discover technologies for protective construction and critical infrastructure, and establish valuable business contacts with industry professionals.