Spain has implemented new regulations requiring restaurants, cafes, and bars to close their outdoor terraces when the country issues orange or red weather alerts due to extreme heat, climate experts have warned. The amendment to the National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector (ALEH), which protects workers such as waiting staff, was enacted in April as Spain braces for a scorching summer. When heat warnings are in effect, businesses with outdoor seating must reduce or suspend operations entirely.
Impact on Tourism and Daily Life
According to Global Climate Risks, temperatures in affected regions regularly exceed 35°C to 45°C during peak afternoon hours, posing health risks to both locals and tourists. The climate group noted in a recent report: "For a country built around outdoor dining, terrace culture, and coastal tourism – and one that welcomed 97 million tourists in 2025 – this is a significant shift." The report highlights that tourists from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, representing approximately 43 million visitors, account for a large share of summer tourism demand, meaning heat-related disruptions now affect millions of holiday experiences each year.
Causes and Health Risks
Global Climate Risks states that Europe’s rising heat extremes are linked to global warming and changes in large-scale wind patterns in the atmosphere, changes that are "being driven in part by rapid warming in the Arctic." The organization warns of increased risk of heat stress, dehydration, and cardiovascular strain, especially for older tourists and outdoor workers during peak summer conditions. Extreme heat also puts additional pressure on health systems and emergency services in peak tourist regions during heatwave periods.
Call for Action
The organization has called for the integration of heat risk alerts into travel advisories and booking platforms, the scaling up of urban heat adaptation in major tourist cities, and accelerated deep emissions reductions and climate mitigation actions to limit further long-term intensification of extreme heat. As Europe grapples with rising temperatures, tourists in popular destinations like Spain and Portugal will continue to feel the difference, with new rules reshaping the traditional outdoor dining experience.
