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Brits may be banned from sitting outside in the sun next month under new Spanish law

One of the best parts of a summer holiday is sitting on a terrace enjoying the sunshine at lunchtime, but new Spanish laws may restrict outdoor tables, and there are large penalties attached

[Tourists and locals at the restaurant Flashpoint at the beach]

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A cold beer in the sun might be harder to find this summer(Image: EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)

For many holidaymakers visiting sunnier climes such as Spain, one of the greatest joys is dining outside for lunch or in the evening, soaking up the sun as you enjoy a cold beer and tapas.

However, this summer, new restrictions mean you may not be able to enjoy your paella al fresco, and it's bad news for Brits with holidays booked in May 2026.

A recent change to the National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector (ALEH), which protects workers such as waiting staff, means that during extreme weather bars and restaurants will be obliged to close their terrace areas for occupational health reasons.

According to Majorca Daily News, when Spain issues orange or red weather alerts due to high temperatures, businesses with outdoor terraces will be forced to either reduce or suspend outdoor activities. However, they can continue to serve customers inside. Businesses must also ensure they have cooling systems in place indoors, or will need to adjust working hours for staff to minimise the impact of the heat.

[Pavement restaurant on Plaza Santisima Faz, Alicante]

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Restaurant terraces may be forced to close(Image: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Brits heading to Spain or any of its islands in May are likely to find these new regulations affect their dining choices. A weather pattern known as El Nio, which brings sustained warm temperatures across the Pacific Ocean every two to seven years, is forecast to return next month. This raises the temperature across most of the Earth, and often means red weather alerts across Spain.

At the moment, the forecast is still under review, but reports from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) suggest it could be a 'strong event' this year, meaning especially hot weather between May and July.

Businesses that don't comply with the new regulations, for example by forcing waiting staff to work outside during a red alert, could see fines of over 50,000 (around 43,000) issued by the country's Labor and Social Security Inspectorate.

A lack of outdoor dining options is not the only change that Brits face this summer. Holidaymakers landing at Spanish and other EU airports will now have to use the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which has reportedly caused queues at some of its busier airports.

More Spanish cities, such as the port of Vigo, are also adding tourist taxes in a bid to balance the impact of overtourism, while Barcelona is now diverting cruise ships to a port further from the city centre to ease overcrowding.

Spain also has a number of existing rules for Brits to follow, which include a crackdown on vaping and smoking in public places, restrictions on the type of footwear you can wear while driving, and even a ban on being shirtless in certain popular beach resorts.

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