Key facts
- Europe is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave with record-breaking temperatures.
- France recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 29.8C.
- Sales of fans and air conditioners have surged significantly across the continent.
- Many European buildings are not designed to handle extreme heat.
- The heatwave is exacerbated by human-induced climate change, according to experts.
Europe is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave that has shattered temperature records in numerous countries, prompting a significant increase in sales of fans and air conditioners. This extreme weather is attributed to atmospheric patterns trapping hot air, exacerbated by global warming.
France has experienced its hottest June day on record, with its national temperature indicator reaching 29.8C on Tuesday, the highest since measurements began in 1947. In response, sales of cooling appliances have surged, with hypermarket operator Carrefour reporting selling 30,000 units on Monday, a thousandfold increase over a typical day. Online retailers like Amazon also saw sales nearly double last week compared to the same period in 2025, and electronics outlet Fnac Darty reported double-digit growth.
Electricians in France are overwhelmed with requests for emergency air-conditioning installations, with many residents bypassing standard procedures due to the intense heat. In Bordeaux, a retiree expressed the difficulty of living without air conditioning. Four additional French departments were placed under the highest heat alert, affecting approximately 44 million people, with temperatures expected to reach 39C to 41C in many regions.
Italy has declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities, including Milan and Rome. The heatwave is projected to spread to eastern Europe, with Poland issuing high-level warnings and Croatia placing its Adriatic coast under a red alert. Hungary is also raising its alert to the maximum level.
Scientific studies suggest that human-induced climate change has significantly intensified the current temperatures, making them 2 to 4C cooler without its influence. While Spain anticipates some relief with temperatures dropping in most of the country, other parts of Western Europe, including the Netherlands, will continue to experience extreme heat. Britain is also bracing for its third heatwave of the year.
Air conditioning is not yet commonplace in Europe, with only about 20% of households having cooling systems, significantly lower in countries like Britain (5%) and Germany (below 3%). Structural and economic barriers, including high electricity costs, a prevalence of rental housing requiring landlord approval, and a historical focus on sustainability, have contributed to this trend. However, the persistent high temperatures are beginning to erode this resistance, leading to sold-out air conditioner stock in some German stores and fully booked schedules for installers.