As Europe battles an intense heatwave, a viral social media claim suggesting that Spain has banned people from setting their air conditioners below 27°C has spread widely across platforms. However, the claim is false and has been debunked by multiple fact-checks and official information.
The rumor gained traction on X as soaring temperatures affected several European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, France, and Spain. With extreme heat leading to record-breaking temperatures and heat-related deaths in some regions, misleading information about government restrictions quickly began circulating online.
One of the widely shared claims alleged that Spanish authorities had prohibited residents from lowering their air conditioners below 27°C. The post was amplified by several users on X, including American entrepreneur and political activist Jeremy Kauffman, contributing to the misinformation reaching a larger audience.
In reality, Spain has not imposed a nationwide ban preventing households from setting their air conditioners below 27°C. Residents remain free to adjust the temperature in their homes according to their personal comfort and needs.
The confusion appears to stem from an energy-saving regulation introduced by the Spanish government in 2022. The measure established temperature guidelines for certain public buildings, commercial establishments, offices, shopping centers, cultural venues, and transport hubs as part of efforts to reduce energy consumption during Europe’s energy crisis.
Under those regulations, air conditioning in many public indoor spaces should generally not be set below 27°C, while heating systems should not exceed 19°C during colder months. These rules were designed to improve energy efficiency in public and commercial settings rather than regulate private homes.
Importantly, the policy does not apply to residential properties. Homeowners and tenants are free to operate their air conditioners at temperatures below 27°C without violating any law.
Spain, like several other European countries, has been experiencing exceptionally high temperatures as the latest heatwave swept across the continent. Authorities have issued health advisories encouraging residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and take precautions against heat-related illnesses, particularly among older adults, children, and vulnerable individuals.
The viral claim highlights how misinformation can spread rapidly during major weather events. Fact-checkers have emphasized the importance of verifying viral social media posts through official government announcements and credible news organizations before sharing them.
Experts also note that while energy conservation measures remain an important part of Spain’s environmental and sustainability policies, they should not be confused with restrictions on personal choices inside private residences.
As Europe continues to face extreme weather linked to rising global temperatures, governments are encouraging both energy efficiency and public safety. However, there is no evidence that Spain has prohibited residents from lowering their home air conditioners below 27°C.
The claim circulating online is therefore misleading. Spain’s temperature guidelines apply only to specified public and commercial buildings and do not restrict how people use air conditioning in their own homes.
