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Bars and restaurants in Spain must close terraces during heatwaves under new rules
The Spain-wide regulations stipulate that terraces can stay open if bars have cooling systems in place
If you've ever tried to grab a drink on a bar terrace during a Spanish heatwave, you'll know it's not always the most comfortable experience, but new rules coming into force this summer mean your favourite pub might not even have the option to keep it open.
Spain's main hospitality unions and employers' associations signed an amendment to the national collective bargaining agreement for the sector back on April 13 and it introduces some significant changes for the hotter months.
Under the new framework, bars and restaurants will be required to reduce or suspend terrace operations whenever AEMET, the Spanish meteorological agency, issues a red or orange weather alert for extreme heat.
It's worth pointing out that this doesn't necessarily mean bars will be shutting up shop entirely. If a business has adequate cooling systems in place on its terrace, it can stay open. It's only where those measures aren't available that the outdoor area would need to close, although the indoor bar can remain open throughout.
The rules are part of a wider push to protect hospitality workers during extreme weather, something Spain's government began tackling in 2023 when it introduced restrictions on outdoor jobs like street cleaning during high-alert periods. The hospitality sector is now being brought into line with that approach.
For business owners, ignoring the new rules isn't really an option. Anyone found to be making staff work on a terrace during a red alert without proper protective measures in place could face fines from the Labour Inspectorate of more than €50,000.
So if you're planning a long, lazy lunch outside this summer, it's probably worth keeping an eye on the forecast.