Spain is renowned for its warm Mediterranean climate, but during the summer months temperatures regularly exceed 35°C, while inland areas can see the mercury climb above 40°C. Combined with strong sunshine and, in many coastal areas, high humidity, these conditions can create serious health risks for anyone working indoors or outdoors.

As climate change brings more frequent and intense heatwaves, Spain has strengthened workplace safety rules to help protect employees from excessive heat. Whether you work in an air-conditioned office, on a construction site, in agriculture, hospitality or public services, employers have legal responsibilities to provide a safe working environment.

Here’s everything you need to know about working temperatures in Spain, your legal rights and the measures employers should take during periods of extreme heat.

Legal Indoor Workplace Temperatures

Unlike many countries, Spain actually sets legal temperature ranges for many indoor workplaces.

These are established under Royal Decree 486/1997, which lays down the minimum health and safety requirements for workplaces.

The legislation specifies that indoor temperatures should normally be maintained at:

• 17°C to 27°C for offices and other sedentary work.
• 14°C to 25°C where light physical work is carried out.

The regulations also recommend:

• Relative humidity between 30% and 70%
• Adequate ventilation
• Fresh air circulation
• Air movement that does not create discomfort

These requirements are designed not simply for comfort, but to reduce fatigue, improve productivity and minimise health risks caused by excessive heat.

Many modern offices, shopping centres and public buildings therefore use air conditioning throughout the summer to remain within these recommended limits.

Outdoor Workers Are Protected Differently

There is no legal maximum outdoor working temperature in Spain.

Unlike an office, employers cannot control the weather, so the law instead requires employers to assess the risks created by heat and take appropriate action.

Following changes introduced in 2023, employers must adapt working conditions whenever official weather warnings indicate a serious or extreme heat risk, particularly where employees are exposed outdoors and cannot be adequately protected.

This affects occupations such as:

• Construction workers
• Road maintenance crews
• Agricultural workers
• Gardeners
• Delivery staff
• Municipal workers
• Festival and event staff

Simply expecting employees to continue working normally during extreme temperatures may breach health and safety legislation.

AEMET Heat Alerts Explained

Spain’s national weather service, AEMET (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología), issues official weather warnings whenever dangerous temperatures are forecast.

These colour-coded alerts help employers, workers and local authorities prepare for periods of extreme heat.

🟡 Yellow Alert

A yellow warning indicates potentially dangerous temperatures.

People should take sensible precautions, particularly:

• Older adults
• Young children
• Pregnant women
• Those carrying out physical work outdoors

Employers should begin monitoring conditions and encourage workers to remain hydrated.

🟠 Amber Alert

An amber warning signals that temperatures present a significant health risk.

At this stage employers should consider:

• Starting work earlier in the morning.
• Increasing rest breaks.
• Providing shaded rest areas.
• Supplying additional drinking water.
• Rotating physically demanding tasks.
• Reducing workloads where possible.

Many construction companies and agricultural businesses in Spain routinely begin work around 6:30 or 7:00 am during the summer to avoid the hottest afternoon temperatures.

🔴 Red Alert

A red warning represents extreme heat and a serious danger to health.

Employers may need to:

• Suspend outdoor work temporarily.
• Delay physically demanding activities.
• Reorganise working hours.
• Increase supervision.
• Ensure workers can cool down regularly.

Where safe working conditions cannot be maintained, work may have to be postponed until temperatures fall.

Why Humidity Is Just as Important

Temperature is only one part of the equation.

Along much of the Costa Blanca and Valencia region, humidity can make conditions feel significantly hotter than the thermometer suggests.

The human body cools itself by sweating.

When humidity is high, sweat evaporates much more slowly, making it harder for the body to lose heat.

For example:

• 38°C with low humidity may actually be easier to tolerate than
• 33°C with 80% humidity, where sweat remains on the skin instead of evaporating.

Meteorologists refer to this as the Heat Index or “Feels Like” Temperature, which combines air temperature with humidity to estimate how hot conditions actually feel.

This is why coastal towns such as Gandia, Dénia, Jávea, Benidorm and Valencia often experience oppressive conditions despite inland temperatures being higher.

High humidity increases the risk of:

• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Reduced concentration
• Accidents caused by impaired judgement

Employers should therefore consider humidity—not just temperature—when carrying out workplace risk assessments.

Employer Responsibilities

Spanish employers have a legal duty to protect workers from excessive heat.

Depending on the circumstances, preventative measures may include:

• Unlimited access to drinking water.
• Regular rest breaks.
• Shaded rest areas.
• Air-conditioned rest facilities where practical.
• Fans or ventilation.
• Lightweight protective clothing.
• Sun hats or neck protection.
• Sunscreen where appropriate.
• Earlier or later working hours.
• Reduced physical workloads.
• Additional supervision during heatwaves.

Risk assessments should also consider:

• Air temperature
• Humidity
• Direct sunlight
• Wind conditions
• Physical effort required
• Duration of exposure
• Personal protective equipment

Every workplace presents different risks, so employers must assess each situation individually.

Recognising Heat Illness

Heat-related illness can develop quickly.

Early symptoms include:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue

If left untreated, heat exhaustion can develop into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.

Symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Hot, dry skin
• Very high body temperature

Anyone showing these signs should receive immediate medical attention.

Can Employees Refuse to Work?

Employees cannot simply stop working because the weather is hot.

However, Spanish occupational health and safety legislation allows workers to raise concerns if working conditions present a serious and imminent danger to their health.

If employers fail to implement suitable protective measures during official heat alerts, employees may have additional legal protections, particularly where there is a clear and immediate risk.

Practical Tips for Staying Safe

Whether you work indoors or outdoors, sensible precautions can greatly reduce the risk of heat-related illness.

Workers should:

• Drink water regularly before feeling thirsty.
• Wear lightweight, breathable clothing.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Avoid heavy meals.
• Use sunscreen.
• Wear hats outdoors.
• Watch colleagues for signs of heat stress.
• Check daily AEMET forecasts during the summer.

Employers should regularly review risk assessments whenever temperatures or humidity increase significantly.

Working Safely During Spanish Summers

Spain’s summers are becoming hotter, and with that comes greater responsibility for employers to protect their workforce.

While indoor workplaces have clearly defined legal temperature ranges, outdoor work requires employers to assess the overall risk created by heat, humidity, sunshine and physical exertion rather than relying on a single temperature limit.

Official AEMET weather alerts, combined with sensible planning, regular hydration, shaded rest breaks and flexible working hours, are now essential parts of managing workplace safety during the hottest months of the year.

For anyone living or working in Spain, understanding these rules can help ensure that summer remains productive without putting health at unnecessary risk. Whether you’re behind a desk in an air-conditioned office or working outdoors under the Mediterranean sun, knowing your rights—and your employer’s responsibilities—is more important than ever.