Holidaymakers expecting to relax on Spanish terraces may face disappointment, as new regulations will force outdoor bar service to pause during extreme heatwaves.
With summer heatwaves frequently pushing temperatures above 40C, the safety of hospitality workers operating in these extreme conditions is under scrutiny.
A recently signed amendment to the National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector (ALEH) now makes climate a critical factor in work organisation.
This initiative updates labour regulations for a changing climate, introducing first-of-their-kind protections for workers against extreme heat.
This means restaurants, bars and cafes in Spain would be obligated to close their terraces during heatwaves if they do not have adequate shade or cooling systems.
The measure would be activated when the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issues orange or red alerts.
The agreement stipulates that closure be a last resort, encouraging companies to first implement shift adjustments, schedule reorganisations, and ensure frequent hydration or rest breaks.
If businesses fail to follow the new rules, they can face penalties of over €50,000 in the most serious cases.
People enjoy tapas on a cafe terrace in Barcelona, Catalonia
A woman covers her face with a fan during a heatwave in Cordoba, Andalusia
The amendment also applies to other extreme weather conditions such as flooding and heavy snow – which are rare in arid Spain.
This is the latest measure Spain has taken to combat soaring temperatures, as the country has been grappling with annual heatwaves that in 2025 left over 1000 people dead.
Last summer, parts of the country recorded temperatures as high as 46C, with southern regions experiencing the most intense heat, while central areas near Madrid were hit by wildfires in August.
It marked Spain’s worst-ever fire season since records began in 2006, eclipsing 2022, when 306,000 hectares were burned.
In December, the government announced plans to build new ‘climate shelters’ across the country to help protect people during extreme heat.
Speaking at a climate change conference in Madrid last winter, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez outlined plans for the climate shelters.
He described them as public spaces where anyone can go to cool down during what he called ‘devastating droughts and heatwaves.’
Sánchez said that summer temperatures above 40C are ‘now the new normal’ and promised continued government support to help people adapt.
The shelters will be air-conditioned and provide free drinking water, along with seating areas for people to rest.
Some regional governments, including Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, have already started setting up similar shelters, and they have been well received by the public.
The new shelters will be rolled out nationwide, with priority given to areas where extreme heat has the greatest impact on residents.
Spain has become one of the latest countries to feel the full force of a warming planet, with parts of the country recording temperatures as high as 46C
In the meantime, regions that already have shelters or experience less severe heat may have to wait, as the government focuses resources where they are most urgently needed.
The government aims to have many of these shelters open before the summer of 2026.
Meanwhile, Spain also recently introduced a new ban that could see holidaymakers fined over £1,500.
Enjoying a cigarette on a bar or restaurant terrace is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike in the European destination.
However, the Spanish government has recently approved a new law that prohibits the act.
The ban means smoke-free areas in the country will be expanded to include playgrounds, university campuses, bus stops, stations and public swimming pools.
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