Sun protection in Spain all year: UV index, sunscreen and skin checks

Most people pack sunscreen for a Spanish summer. Fewer think about it on a bright January day on the Costa del Sol, when it is cool enough for a jacket but the sun is still strong enough to matter. This guide explains how the UV index works in Spain through the year, how to choose and use sunscreen, where to buy it, how to protect children, and when to get your skin checked.

The UV index: what the numbers mean

The UV index (índice ultravioleta, or UVI) is an international scale that shows how strong the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is. Spain’s weather agency AEMET measures it and publishes forecasts. The usual categories are:

• 1–2 low: protection usually not needed, unless you spend a long time outdoors or near water or snow.
• 3–5 moderate: protection recommended.
• 6–7 high, 8–10 very high, 11+ extreme: protect your skin and eyes, and seek shade in the middle of the day.

Temperature does not tell you the UV level. A cool, clear day can have more UV than a hot, hazy one. Check the UV forecast in a weather app or on AEMET’s website, not only the thermometer.

Why winter sun still counts in southern Spain

AEMET’s monthly UV reports show how strong the sun can be in the south, even in winter:

• January 2026: the highest UV index on the mainland was 3.2, measured in Málaga. That is in the “moderate” range, where protection is advised.
• June 2025: the average of the monthly maximums across mainland and Balearic stations was 9.8, which is “very high”.
• Canary Islands and mountains: UV rises with altitude. AEMET’s high-altitude observatory at Izaña in Tenerife recorded 14.4 in June 2025 and 7.2 in January 2026.

In practice: on the Costa del Sol in winter, protect your face, ears, neck and hands on clear days, especially around midday, on long walks, on the golf course, at the beach or on boat trips. If you go skiing in the Sierra Nevada, use high protection, because altitude and snow both increase UV.

Choosing and using sunscreen

Spain’s medicines and health products agency AEMPS explains the labels like this:

• SPF (FPS in Spanish) measures protection against UVB, the rays that cause sunburn: low (6–10), medium (15–25), high (30–50) and very high (50+).
• UVA logo: the letters UVA in a circle mean the product’s UVA protection is at least one third of its SPF. Look for it, because SPF alone does not cover UVA.
• Water resistant: choose this for swimming, sport or heavy sweating.
• Reapply often, and always after swimming, towelling or sweating.
• Last year’s bottle: AEMPS recommends throwing away sunscreen left over from the previous year.

Sunscreen is only one part of protection. AEMPS stresses that it is not enough on its own: add a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, clothing that covers you and shade in the middle of the day.

Where to buy sun protection in Spain

Pharmacies (farmacias) and parapharmacies stock a wide range of sunscreens, including products for sensitive skin, children and people with skin conditions. The pharmacist can help you choose, which is useful if you are on medication that makes your skin more sensitive to light. Read more in our guide to pharmacies in Spain.

Supermarkets and drugstores sell cheaper own brands, and you can also order online. Farmaciamarket (ad) is an online parapharmacy with sunscreens, skin care and baby products delivered to your home. Perfumería Comas (ad), a Spanish perfumery founded in 1942, sells cosmetics and parapharmacy products, including sun care, online. Buying a few bottles at once makes it easier to keep one in the car, the beach bag and by the front door.

Children and babies

AEMPS gives this advice for children:

• Under 6 months: protect babies mainly with clothing, hats and shade.
• Under 3 years: avoid long, direct sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day. An adult should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out.
• All children: use a children’s sunscreen with high or very high UVA and UVB protection, water-resistant for the beach or pool, plus long-sleeved UV clothing, a hat and sunglasses.

A cap and a small sunscreen in the school bag help on sunny days, as children spend breaks and sports lessons outdoors. For days at the beach, see our guide to beach and sea safety in Spain.

Skin checks: when to see a doctor

Living in a sunny country means it is worth looking at your skin regularly, especially if you have fair skin, many moles, or a history of sunburn. See your GP (médico de familia) if you notice:

• a new mole, or a mole that changes in size, shape or colour,
• a mole with irregular edges or several colours,
• a spot or sore that bleeds, itches or does not heal.

In the public system, your GP can refer you to a dermatologist. Privately, you can book a dermatologist directly. Euromelanoma, a European skin cancer prevention campaign run by volunteer dermatologists, has offered free skin checks at participating clinics in Spain in past years. Look out for local announcements.

In the hottest weeks, the risk is not only sunburn. Our guide to staying safe in a Spanish heatwave covers heat stroke and how to keep cool.

FAQ: sun protection in Spain

Do I need sunscreen in winter in Spain?

On clear days in the south, often yes. AEMET measured a maximum UV index of 3.2 in Málaga in January 2026, a level where protection is advised. Check the daily UV forecast.

What SPF should I use in Spain?

AEMPS classes SPF 30–50 as high and 50+ as very high, and recommends high or very high protection for children. Choose a product with the UVA logo too.

Can I use last summer’s sunscreen?

AEMPS recommends throwing away sunscreen left over from the previous year and buying a fresh product.

Where can I check the UV index in Spain?

AEMET, Spain’s state weather agency, publishes UV forecasts on its website, and most weather apps show the daily UV index for your town.

Useful links

• AEMPS: sun protection advice for children (Spanish)
• AEMET: UV and ozone report, January 2026 (PDF, Spanish)
• AEMET: UV and ozone report, June 2025 (PDF, Spanish)

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical advice. Rules and prices change, so check with the official source or your doctor before you decide. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links – NewInSpain may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.