Civil defense refers to "the protection of the population, their homes and workplaces, as well as vital civilian services, facilities, institutions, businesses, and cultural assets through non-military measures against the effects of war, as well as the elimination or mitigation of their consequences." (Section 1 of the Civil Defense and Disaster Relief Act).

It encompasses preparatory, ongoing, and follow-up measures designed to avert dangers, mitigate their consequences, and protect the population. A central objective is to maintain the government’s ability to function, ensure basic public services, and sustain orderly communication during extraordinary situations.

The responsibilities of civil defense are defined by the Civil Defense and Disaster Relief Act (ZSKG). According to the Basic Law (Article 73), civil defense is the responsibility of the federal government, particularly in defense situations, while the states organize and carry out general hazard prevention and disaster relief.

Civil defense in Germany consists of seven areas of responsibility in accordance with the ZSKG:

• Self-protection (opens in a new tab)
• Warning the public (opens in a new tab)
• Construction of shelters
• Disaster response (opens in a new tab)
• Regulation of movement
• Health Protection Measures
• Measures to Protect Cultural Heritage