Spain reveals earthquake risk list: Is your town among those named?

Could your town in Spain be at risk from a powerful earthquake? A new government list names popular destinations including Torrevieja, Orihuela, Nerja, Motril and Murcia, raising an important question for thousands of British and other foreign residents: how safe is your home?

Published on Saturday, October 10, in Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE), the list identifies areas where strong earthquakes must be considered in emergency planning. It is not a warning that an earthquake is imminent, but it could be a good reason to check whether your town is included.

Spain’s earthquake risks are linked to the geological forces slowly reshaping the Iberian Peninsula, a subject we previously explored in our popular report on why scientists say Spain and Portugal are slowly turning.

Is your town on Spain’s earthquake risk list?

Some of the best-known places where British residents have made their homes appear on Spain’s official earthquake risk lists, including Marbella, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Nerja, Mojácar and Murcia.

The government divides the towns into different categories according to how strongly the ground could shake during an earthquake. Places such as Torrevieja, Nerja and Murcia appear in the higher category, while Marbella, Benidorm and Mojácar appear in the lower one.

Note: These are selected towns, not the complete lists. Intensity levels describe possible earthquake shaking, not earthquake magnitude or an imminent event. Source: Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE), Annexes III-A and III-B.

What do the earthquake risk levels mean for your home?

Seeing your town on an earthquake risk list can be unsettling, particularly if you own a property or have retired to Spain. But the difference between levels VII and VIII is important to understand.

Level VII means strong shaking that could damage buildings, particularly those that are older or more vulnerable. Level VIII means even stronger shaking, with the potential for more serious damage.

These figures measure how intensely an earthquake could be felt in an area, not its magnitude on the Richter scale. They also do not tell you whether your particular home is safe.

The age, construction and condition of a building all matter. And crucially, Spain’s new classifications are intended to improve emergency planning, not to warn that a major earthquake is about to happen.

What should you do if an earthquake strikes in Spain?

If the ground suddenly starts shaking, knowing what to do could make all the difference.

Spain’s updated emergency planning rules place greater emphasis on public warnings, evacuation procedures and helping residents prepare before disaster strikes.

If you are indoors when an earthquake begins, stay away from windows and objects that could fall. Drop to the ground, take cover beneath sturdy furniture if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Do not rush outside or use lifts while the ground is moving.

Once the shaking has stopped, check for hazards and follow instructions from emergency services. If you are outside, move away from buildings, balconies and power lines. Call 112 if you need emergency assistance.

The government’s new directive also requires greater attention to vulnerable residents, including older people and those with disabilities, when preparing local emergency plans.

For further information, residents can consult Spain’s official earthquake planning directive.

The bottom line: Being on Spain’s earthquake risk list does not mean disaster is around the corner. But for anyone living in the affected towns, understanding the risks and knowing how to respond could make a vital difference if a powerful earthquake does strike.