As British vacationers prepare to travel to sunny destinations such as Spain, the pleasure of dining outdoors under the sun with a refreshing beer and tapas may be affected by new restrictions in the coming months. The weather phenomenon El Niño is expected to bring higher temperatures and potential red weather warnings across Spain due to its cyclical warm oceanic conditions. The World Meteorological Organization has hinted at a strong El Niño event this year, indicating exceptionally hot weather ahead.
Recent changes in the National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector in Spain, known as ALEH, have been made to protect workers, requiring bars and restaurants to close their outdoor terrace areas during extreme weather conditions for safety reasons. When orange or red weather alerts are issued, businesses with outdoor terraces must either reduce or cease outdoor service, ensuring proper cooling systems indoors and adjusting staff schedules to mitigate heat exposure.
Failure to comply with the new regulations, such as forcing staff to work outdoors during red weather alerts, could result in fines exceeding €50,000 imposed by the country’s Labour and Social Security Inspectorate. Northern Spain is currently under an orange weather alert following a heatwave, with the weather expected to intensify as summer progresses, potentially leading to a shift from al fresco dining to indoor settings.
Aside from changes in dining experiences, travelers landing at Spanish and EU airports will now need to use the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), causing delays at busy airports. Additionally, more Spanish cities are implementing tourist taxes to manage overtourism, while Barcelona is redirecting cruise ships to ease overcrowding in the city center.
Spain enforces various rules that British visitors must follow, including restrictions on vaping and smoking in public areas, limitations on driving footwear, and bans on going shirtless in certain beach resorts. These regulations aim to ensure a smooth and respectful experience for both tourists and locals.
