Summer is peak season for Spain’s hospitality industry. As temperatures rise, terraces fill up and bars and restaurants see some of their busiest months of the year.
But new rules look set to change how businesses operate during heatwaves, making them especially relevant for the very hot region of Andalucia.
A recent update to the national labour agreement for the hospitality sector, signed by unions and industry bodies on April 13, introduces stricter protections for workers during extreme weather.
The changes aim to bring working conditions in line with modern risks, especially as heatwaves become more frequent.
At the centre of the update is a new requirement: businesses must actively protect staff from dangerous weather conditions, including extreme heat, heavy rain or even snow.
The agreement forms part of Spain’s broader workplace safety framework and now includes climate-related risks as a key factor.
That means bars and restaurants must respond to official weather alerts issued by the national meteorological agency, specifically when they are at the orange or red levels.
In practical terms, this could directly affect terraces.
When severe weather warnings are issued, particularly red or orange alerts, businesses may be required to reduce working hours or suspend outdoor service altogether if conditions pose a risk to staff.
However, to avoid shutting terraces completely, venues can introduce preventive measures such as cooling systems or shaded areas.
It means not all terraces will be automatically suspended in a heatwave.
If they cannot protect staff, however, outdoor service will have to stop during the most dangerous hours of heat.
Importantly, the rules don’t necessarily mean a full closure. Indoor areas can remain open, but terraces – often the most profitable part of a venue in summer – could be temporarily out of use.
There are also financial consequences for ignoring the rules.
Employers who force staff to work in unsafe conditions, such as serving on a terrace during a red heat alert without protection, could face serious penalties.
Fines from labour inspectors can exceed €50,000 for breaching health and safety laws.
Workers, meanwhile, are legally protected. They have the right to refuse tasks that put their health at risk due to extreme weather.
