Germany recorded a 32 percent increase in deaths during a record-breaking heatwave in June, compared to the average death toll over the previous four years, according to official data. The figures are a stark reminder that extreme heat is no longer a rare event in Central Europe — it is becoming a recurring seasonal hazard. For expats living in Germany, particularly those arriving from northern or temperate climates, the danger can catch you off guard. German apartments, especially older ones, are built to retain heat in winter, not to stay cool in summer. Knowing the risks and taking concrete steps to protect yourself and your family is essential as German summers grow hotter and longer.
Unlike southern European countries, Germany has historically had mild summers, which means infrastructure and housing were not designed with extreme heat in mind. Air conditioning is still uncommon in private homes and many workplaces. Older buildings — which make up a large share of Germany's housing stock — can trap heat effectively, turning flats into ovens during prolonged warm spells.
Public health authorities note that the elderly, young children, people with chronic illnesses, and those who work outdoors are at the highest risk. However, expats of all ages who are new to German summers should take the threat seriously, especially if they are used to air-conditioned environments in their home countries and underestimate how physically taxing dry, radiant European heat can be.
The German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and local health authorities publish heat-action guidelines every summer. Here are the key recommendations:
If you work in Germany, there are workplace heat regulations worth knowing. The Arbeitsstättenregel ASR A3.5 recommends that indoor workplaces do not exceed 26°C, and employers are expected to take measures when temperatures rise above that. While there is no legal right to go home when it is hot, employers are obligated to provide measures like fans, flexible hours, or shading.
As a tenant, you generally cannot force your landlord to install air conditioning. However, if extreme heat makes a property temporarily uninhabitable, legal grey areas exist — it is worth consulting a Mieterverein (tenants' association) for advice specific to your situation.
Yes. The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Germany's national meteorological service, issues official heat warnings (Hitzewarnung) through its website and app. Warnings are colour-coded by severity. You can sign up for alerts at www.dwd.de. Many cities also communicate warnings via their official websites and local apps.
Not medically, but practically. If you are new to Germany, you may not yet know about local cooling resources, how German buildings heat up, or how to read DWD warnings. Language barriers can also slow access to public health information. Following Deutschland4U and official German health channels in English can help bridge that gap.
The 32% rise in deaths during June's heatwave is a serious public health signal. As an expat in Germany, taking heat safety seriously — especially if you live in an older apartment without air conditioning — could genuinely protect your health. Download the DWD weather app, bookmark your city's official heat-action page, and share this information with friends and family who may be less informed. Extreme heat is no longer unusual in Germany: being prepared is the new normal.
Source: The Local
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