The EU emergency guidelines recommend maintaining a reserve of cash and accessible offline payment methods.

TechFlow reported on Nov. 4 that according to an emergency guideline released by the European Commission, households should be prepared for at least 72 hours of crisis response and stockpile cash and available offline digital payment methods to meet necessary household purchasing needs.

The guideline recommends stocking small-denomination banknotes and coins to cope with digital payment system failures; offline digital payment methods can include the future offline digital euro. The document also advises preparing supplies such as food, drinking water, medications, lighting equipment, and devices for receiving information.

The guideline is non-binding and aims to help member states develop emergency measures tailored to their respective national circumstances.