Spain Opens Cooling Centers Amid European Heat

Why this is here: One study estimated 3,391 deaths in Spain during June 2025 were attributable to moderate heat, even when temperatures didn’t reach extreme levels.

In Spain, the government is establishing a national network of cooling centers—libraries, gyms, and civic spaces—to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat. These centers, already common in cities like Barcelona with roughly 400 locations, offer free access to cool spaces with seating and water. The move follows a harsh summer in 2025 where Spain’s health system estimated 3,832 heat-related deaths between May and September, an 87.6% increase from the previous year.

Studies also reveal that moderate heat—temperatures above a minimum mortality threshold—caused thousands of deaths even without reaching extreme levels. The Spanish meteorological agency reported the summer of 2025 was the hottest since records began, with an average temperature of 24.2 °C.

While Spain acts, other European countries lag behind. The continent is warming faster than the global average, and heat-related deaths rose to about 62,000 across Europe in 2024.

Bucharest, Romania recently approved a similar network, but access and location remain key challenges for effective protection. The work continues to expand these spaces and integrate them into broader climate adaptation strategies.