Terraces are popular throughout the year in Spain, but it’s the summer season when they really come alive. In a historic new agreement, this could all be set to change.
Workers unions and hospitality employers’ associations Hostelería de España and CEHAT have signed an agreement which will allow establishments to close their terraces during extreme heat weather alerts in order to protect their staff.
For the first time ever, the agreement now includes the obligation for employers to integrate risks associated with extreme heat into occupational risk prevention plans for those working in the hospitality sector.
The State Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Industry is the framework that governs working conditions in the sector at a national level and serves as a reference for provincial and regional agreements throughout the country.
The modification of this framework now aims to adapt to the new challenges posed by climate change and Spain’s increasingly frequent and extreme heatwaves.
It’s important to note that this change does not mean automatic closure of terrazas as they’re called in Spanish, but it does impose a clear obligation to employers.
When official weather alerts are activated by Spain’s Aemet national weather agency, especially at orange or red levels due to heatwaves, companies must carry out a risk assessment to determine if it’s possible to maintain outdoor activity without compromising the health of their workers.
Each regional government will be able to tweak the new regulation to meet their needs and differences in temperatures.
This could mean that while some terraces may be closed in Córdoba at certain times, they may be open in Barcelona, for example.
A single risk factor will not be enough for hospitality owners to close their terraces, but rather several. These include not having sufficient shade, or access to means of hydration such as drinking water, not being able to take regular breaks, or not having systems that help reduce heat exposure.
READ ALSO: What do Spain’s orange and red weather alerts mean for the public?
Advertisement
The agreement indicates that those workers at the highest risk are those who serve on terraces, work in kitchens, and carry out outdoor delivery services.
If the assessment concludes that safe working conditions cannot be guaranteed, the company will be required to reduce working hours, temporarily suspend operations during peak risk times or close the terraces completely.
The interior of establishments, however, will be able to continue operating normally.
The modification and signing of this labour agreement represents a significant step in recognising climate risk and its impact on hospitality workers.
Public health organisations have been warning for years about the effects of extreme heat and state that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause heatstroke, dehydration, and even cardiovascular problems, especially in older people or those with pre-existing conditions.
Advertisement
Spanish summers have always been hot, but in recent years they have been increasing in frequency and intensity, putting thousands of employees in the service sector at risk.
Last August was the hottest month on record in Spain, while 2022 was the hottest year ever recorded, followed by 2023.
In 2025, Spain’s Health Ministry revealed there were a total of 3,832 heat-related deaths between May 16th and September 30th.
