Spain climate score cut as heatwave fuels deadly wildfires in the south

We lowered Spain's climate score from 9.0 to 8.7 on Country To Live. A sustained heatwave with temperatures around 40C (104F) has fed wildfires across southern Europe, and one blaze near Bedar in Almería has become among Spain's deadliest in decades.

This is an editorial score for people comparing countries on our site. It is not a claim that every Spanish city now has bad weather year-round.

Why we changed the score

• At least 12 people died in the Los Gallardos area fire near Bedar, according to BBC reporting on July 12, 2026. Spanish authorities said four of the victims are believed to be British nationals. Another 23 people were still missing at the time of reporting.
• The fire moved fast. Officials said the blaze spread quickly on Thursday afternoon as soaring temperatures, dry ground, and strong winds combined. Andalusia's emergencies minister said about 6,600 hectares (16,300 acres) had burned.
• Southern Europe is in a heat pattern. The same BBC report notes wildfires across France, Portugal, and Spain during a summer heatwave. Europe is warming faster than the global average, which raises the odds of repeat extreme-heat seasons.
• This is already a historic toll. With at least 12 dead, the Bedar-area fire ranks among Spain's deadliest wildfires. Past benchmarks include 21 deaths near Lloret de Mar in 1979 and 20 on La Gomera in 1984.
• Other Spain scores are unchanged this round. Safety, cost of living, and entertainment on the Spain country page still reflect longer-term factors. Only climate moved.

What the number means on our site

Climate on Country To Live measures how appealing year-round weather and seasons tend to be for someone living there full time, not visiting for a holiday week. An 8.7/10 still keeps Spain in a strong band, but the cut reflects rising heat stress and wildfire risk in parts of the south and east.

Spain still wins on mild winters and coastal sunshine in many regions. The score change says repeat summer extremes and fire seasons now matter more when you pick a base. Compare Portugal vs Spain or France vs Spain if you are weighing Mediterranean options, or open Spain in the compare tool. Browse all country scores to see where this update lands.

Before you plan a move

1. Model the city, not the country average. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and inland Andalusia can feel very different in July and August.
2. Check wildfire and evacuation history for rural or hillside areas, especially in the south and east. Second-home belts can carry higher exposure than city centers.
3. Pair climate with housing and cost data. Our Spain digital nomad route and Spain country page still help on visas and daily life, but they do not replace local fire-risk reading.

We will publish another update if this summer's fire toll eases and heat conditions return closer to recent norms.

This note explains our editorial scoring only. It is not legal, immigration, or personal safety advice.