FCDO Updated Advice Due to Heatwave in France, Spain, and Portugal: What Tourists Should Check

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Marta Skylar
Aviation News Editor
28.07.2026 02:17

FCDO Updated Advice Due to Heatwave in France, Spain, and Portugal: What Tourists Should Check

The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated travel advice for France, Spain, and Portugal on June 23 due to the risk of extreme temperatures. For travelers, this does not mean an automatic ban on travel, but it does mean that summer itineraries should be planned more carefully: check official weather warnings, hotel conditions, excursion times, transport time buffers, and insurance rules.

The update appeared on FCDO pages for three popular European destinations in the safety section. For France, Spain, and Portugal, it is stated that there is a risk of above-normal temperatures in summer, and tourists are advised to monitor forecasts from national meteorological services, follow the recommendations of local authorities, check information with tour operators or carriers, and use medical advice on how to behave in the heat.

This news is important not only for British tourists. FCDO is often used as one of the practical risk indicators for international travelers, and France, Spain, and Portugal remain among the most mass summer travel destinations in Europe. Heat can affect excursion programs, railway operations, comfort in old city hotels, waiting on open platforms, passenger well-being during transfers, and the plans of those renting a car for trips along the coast or inland regions.

What Exactly Changed in the Travel Advice

FCDO marked the update as new information about extreme temperatures in the Safety and security section. On the France page, the agency reminds that above-normal temperatures are possible in the summer months, advises checking current forecasts on the Meteo France website, reading recommendations for protection against heat, and coordinating actions with a tourist provider or local authority.

On the Spain page, the update is also dated June 23 and concerns extreme temperatures. In a tourist context, this is especially important for cities where many visitors walk in summer: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and resorts with a large number of day trips. If the itinerary passes through major airports, it is worth checking not only the flight but also further logistics: for example, the pages of Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Barcelona Airport (BCN), or Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP).

For Portugal, FCDO specifically notes that the advice also covers Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Azores. The update mentions the risk of above-normal temperatures, and in the section on natural hazards, the seasonal risk of forest fires from April to October, when the weather is hot and dry, is further emphasized. This is important for tourists planning not only city breaks in Lisbon or Porto, but also car routes, beach trips to the Algarve, or walks in natural areas. For such routes, it is appropriate to check Lisbon Airport (LIS), Porto Airport (OPO), or Faro Airport (FAO) in advance.

Why Heat Became Tourist News Rather Than Just a Weather Forecast

High temperature in Southern Europe is not a rarity in itself. However, the current context differs in that the warnings coincide with the peak of summer demand, the start of school holidays in some countries, and mass trips to cities, beach regions, and festival locations. The industry publication Travel Gossip reported that the FCDO update came against the backdrop of intensifying heat in Europe, when in some areas temperatures over 40 degrees were expected or already recorded.

According to the same publication, more than half of France was under the highest level of weather warning, around 42 degrees were recorded in Bordeaux, and some schools were closed as a preventive measure. It was also reported that SNCF advised vulnerable passengers to avoid or postpone rail travel if possible. This shows the main practical risk for a tourist: even if the flight is operating on schedule, the journey can become complicated after arrival, at the stage of train, metro, transfer, waiting for a taxi, or checking in.

Euronews on June 17 drew attention to the spread of heat in Spain, France, Portugal, and other European countries, with forecasts of temperatures around 40 degrees in some regions. The publication also explained the risk of so-called tropical nights, when the temperature at night does not drop below 20 degrees. For tourists, this is an important detail: the danger of heat lies not only in the day peak, but also in the fact that the body does not have time to recover at night, especially in rooms without effective air conditioning.

What This Means for Air Passengers

For passengers flying to France, Spain, or Portugal, the main rule now is simple: check not only the flight status, but also the entire chain after arrival. Heat rarely cancels flights automatically, but it can increase the load on infrastructure, slow down ground operations, and make waiting in queues harder for elderly people, children, passengers with chronic illnesses, and those traveling with a lot of luggage.

If arrival is planned in Paris, it is worth checking not only Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY), but also the ground route to the city. During heatwaves, a pre-booked transfer can be more comfortable, especially if the arrival is late, with children, or with a transfer to a train. For this, there are reference pages on the site about transfers from CDG and transfers from ORY.

In the cities of Spain and Portugal, the logic is the same. If arrival occurs during the day when the temperature is highest, it is worth not planning an immediate walking tour with suitcases, but leaving a buffer for the trip to the hotel. For Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Lisbon, Porto, and Faro, it is useful to understand in advance how long the journey from the airport takes, whether there is air-conditioned transport, whether you will have to wait outdoors, and whether check-in can be moved or luggage can be left at the reception.

The Hotel Becomes an Element of Safety, Not Just Comfort

During a normal summer trip, tourists often choose a hotel based on price, area, and reviews. In a period of extreme heat, a few more questions should be added to this list: is there air conditioning in the room, does it work individually, is there an elevator, can you check in earlier, how far is the walk from the transport stop, and is there a store or pharmacy nearby. Old buildings in historical centers can be charming, but are not always well adapted to prolonged heatwaves.

For night or morning flights, an overnight stay near the airport may also be appropriate. This reduces the need to travel through the city during the hottest hours or wait for transport after a late arrival. For example, for France, you can check hotels near CDG, hotels near ORY, or hotels near Nice Airport (NCE). For Spain, practical pages may be those about hotels near BCN, hotels near MAD, or hotels near PMI. For Portugal, it is worth looking at hotels near LIS, hotels near OPO, or hotels near FAO.

Excursions, Beaches, and Car Routes Need to Be Restructured

The biggest mistake during a heatwave is to leave the itinerary as it was in cool weather. A daytime excursion through the historical center, climbing to an observation deck, a long queue for a museum, or a trip to the beach without shade can quickly become a problem. It is more practical to move activities to the morning or evening, book tickets with a specific time slot, plan longer breaks in air-conditioned rooms, and have a water supply.

For beach holidays, it is important to monitor not only the temperature, but also flags, lifeguard recommendations, and local restrictions. In France, FCDO specifically mentions risks on the Atlantic coast, particularly strong currents in some areas. In the heat, tourists more often seek water for cooling, but swimming in unchecked or unequipped places can be dangerous. If local authorities close a beach, park, road, or natural trail, this should be perceived as part of a real risk, not as a formality.

Car rental can provide flexibility, but in heat conditions, it also requires more discipline. Do not leave children, elderly people, animals, medications, electronics, or documents in the car. Before departure, check the air conditioner, water supply, shaded parking, entry rules for city centers, and possible closures due to fire hazard. For such routes, pages about car rental at Malaga Airport, car rental in Faro, car rental in Nice, or car rental in Bordeaux may be useful.

Insurance and Booking: What to Check Before Departure

FCDO reminds that travelers need to have appropriate insurance that covers the itinerary, planned activities, and costs in an emergency. In the case of heat, this should be read literally: if a tourist plans hiking, cycling routes, water sports, car rental, or trips to mountainous or remote areas, the policy must correspond to these activities. Separately, it is necessary to check whether the insurance covers medical assistance for heatstroke, exacerbation of chronic conditions, cancellation of excursions, route changes, or additional overnight stays due to transport delays.

It is also important to understand that heat warnings do not always give an automatic right to free cancellation of a hotel, tour, or ticket. Usually, conditions depend on the specific tariff, provider policy, and whether the service was actually cancelled by the operator. Therefore, it is better to choose bookings with flexible conditions in advance, especially for family trips, routes with several transfers, or travels with elderly relatives.

Practical Checklist for Tourists

  • Check official weather warnings for a specific city or region, not just the general forecast for the country.
  • Find out if the hotel has a working air conditioner specifically in the room, not just in the lobby.
  • Plan museums, transfers, and walks for the morning or evening, leaving the day peak for rest.
  • Have a water supply, headgear, sunscreen, and light clothing, but do not rely on these alone as protection.
  • Check messages from the airline, railway, tour operator, and local authorities before each stage of the route.
  • Leave more time between the flight, transfer, check-in, and excursion.
  • Do not ignore symptoms of overheating: weakness, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or excessive fatigue.
  • Know the local emergency number 112, which works in EU countries.

Conclusion

The FCDO update from June 23 should be perceived as a signal for smarter planning of summer travels, not as a reason to automatically cancel trips to France, Spain, or Portugal. The main conclusion for tourists is simple: in hot periods, a safe trip depends not only on the flight ticket and hotel, but on the entire route between them. A verified transfer, an air-conditioned room, a flexible schedule, realistic excursions, and attentive attitude toward official warnings can significantly reduce risks.

Material prepared based on updated FCDO travel advice for France, Spain, and Portugal, as well as reports from Travel Gossip and Euronews about the heatwave in Europe. Before traveling, check the latest official notices, as weather warnings and transport restrictions can change throughout the day.