The heat has Spain firmly under control.Image: Keystone
Spain has introduced new rules for bars and restaurants that apply during extreme weather. What travelers have to prepare for now.
Jul 12, 2026, 2:23 amJul 12, 2026, 2:23 am
Laura Helbig / t-online
Tapas on the table, a cool drink in your hand, a light breeze – anyone on holiday in Spain will probably find themselves on the terrace of a restaurant sooner or later. For many tourists, this is simply part of their vacation. But this summer, sitting comfortably on the terrace could be canceled more often.
Because Spain is currently being overwhelmed by a heat wave. A new collective agreement for the hospitality industry has been in force in Spain since April 13, 2026, which can oblige restaurants and bars to close their outdoor areas in extreme heat. What this means for travelers.
This is what you want to know about it.
What has changed?
The basis of the new regulation is a reform of the nationwide labor law framework for the hospitality industry (ALEH), which unions, employers’ associations and the Spanish Ministry of Labor signed together in mid-April. The treaty explicitly classifies extreme weather conditions – including heat waves, but also floods and heavy snowfall – as a health risk for the first time.
The aim is to better protect employees in the hospitality industry: waiters, cooks and service staff who have to work outdoors for hours in sweltering heat. Violations can result in severe penalties. The Ministry of Labor has announced increased inspections by state labor inspectors.
When do terraces have to close?
There is no automatic patio closure every time there is a heat warning. The regulation works gradually:
- As soon as the Spanish weather authority Aemet declares the orange or red warning level, restaurants are obliged to assess the situation and take protective measures.
- If 40 degrees or more is measured on the terrace, the same applies – even without an official Aemet warning.
- Physically strenuous work outside should be avoided on such days between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Companies must first examine alternatives: stagger shifts, set up additional breaks, ensure access to cold water, and provide light work clothing.
- The terrace only has to close if sufficient cooling cannot be guaranteed.
An outdoor area may remain open if it is shaded, cooled by spray mist systems or similar technology and is shielded from the outside world by at least two separating elements. The companies create their own protection protocols for this – which, according to critics, leaves considerable room for interpretation.
What does this mean specifically for travelers?
Anyone traveling to Spain in midsummer should be prepared for changing conditions. Terraces may be closed or restricted during lunch hours – especially between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Regions with regularly high temperatures are particularly affected: Andalusia, Extremadura, the Ebro Valley and parts of the east coast, but also the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands are affected by heat warnings in the summer of 2026.
How can you access the alerts as a traveler?
Current warning situations can be found province by province on the Aemet website (aemet.es). The Europe-wide emergency number 112 applies to the fire brigade, rescue services and police.
If you still want to eat outside, it’s best to opt for the cooler evening hours – or choose restaurants with shaded or cooled outdoor areas. This summer, accommodations with working air conditioning are not a question of comfort, but of health. It’s worth asking about this when booking.