Spain to open national network of climate shelters as heatwaves intensify
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveils a plan to create cool refuges in public buildings, funded by the government, as heat, floods and wildfires press on across the country.
Spain will open a nationwide network of climate shelters in public buildings to provide refuge from intense heat ahead of next summer, a plan announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at a Madrid conference on Wednesday.
The plan would fund cool spaces in areas most affected by heat, with shelters open to everyone. The government said the rollout would complement existing networks already established by regional administrations, including Catalonia, the Basque Country and Murcia. In Barcelona, about 400 climate shelters already operate in libraries, museums, sports facilities and shopping centers, with air conditioning, seating and free water intended to offer relief to people with health problems, the elderly, infants and others with limited resources.
The plan includes a stark warning from Sánchez about evolving heat: 'Devastating droughts and heatwaves are no longer rare. Some summers, it's not separate waves we face, but one long heatwave stretching from June through August. This is now the new normal.'
Spain experienced its hottest summer on record and three heatwaves in 2025. A 16-day heatwave in August pushed temperatures above 45C (113F), according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
Under the plan, climate shelters will be funded by the government in municipalities facing the toughest heat, and the spaces will be available to all residents. The package also includes investment in flood prevention measures for small towns, with a designated allocation for fire prevention as part of a broader climate pact.
In the context of a state pact to address climate change, €20 million was designated for flood prevention in small towns, with the same amount earmarked for fire prevention plans in small towns. The proposals are still to be presented to the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of Spain’s Parliament.
Sánchez has urged other political groups to contribute to the pact, saying it is "not an electoral weapon... it is a shield for Spain".
Heatwaves are becoming more common and intense due to human-caused climate change, according to the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Health authorities reported that more than 3,800 heat-related deaths were recorded in Spain this summer, about 88% more than in 2024, according to estimates by the Ministry of Health. During 2025, Spain also experienced a devastating wildfire season, with more than 400,000 hectares burned.
The climate-shelter plan is part of a broader set of proposals aimed at reducing climate-related risks, and is expected to be brought before the Congress in the coming months. Officials said the program will be implemented in tandem with regional efforts and ongoing infrastructure investments to adapt to a hotter, drier climate.