Key data
| Regulation | Order INT/1069/2026, of October 7 — Basic Directive for Civil Protection Planning in the face of earthquake risk |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | October 10, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 11, 2026 |
| Replaces | 1995 Basic Directive (previous seismic regulation) |
| Legal framework | Law 17/2015 on Civil Protection and Basic Standard 2023 |
| Affected parties | Public administrations, emergency services and municipalities in seismic zones of Spain |
| Category | Public Sector |
| Economic impact | No increase in public spending foreseen |
Municipalities and administrations located in seismic zones of Spain have a new obligation from October 11, 2026: to update or develop their special civil protection plans for earthquakes in accordance with the Order INT/1069/2026. This regulation approves the new Basic Directive for Civil Protection Planning in the face of earthquake risk, which repeals and replaces the directive in force since 1995, adapting to the framework of the Law 17/2015 on Civil Protection and the Basic Standard 2023.
The change is significant: 31 years of seismic regulations are replaced by a broader approach that no longer considers only the earthquake itself, but also the phenomena it triggers.
What does this regulation establish?
The new directive establishes a homogeneous minimum content that all special seismic plans must comply with, regardless of the administration that develops them. The key elements are:
- Multi-risk approach: plans must consider not only the earthquake, but also the secondary phenomena it may trigger.
- Protection of vulnerable groups: specific protocols for people in vulnerable situations are strengthened.
- Protection of animals, environment and historical-artistic heritage: areas that the 1995 directive did not address with this level of detail.
- Early warning systems: obligation to integrate them into emergency plans.
- Inter-administrative coordination protocols: between central, regional and local administration.
- Drill requirements: plans must include the planning and execution of drill exercises.
Secondary phenomena that must be considered
| Secondary phenomenon | Description |
|---|---|
| Liquefaction | Loss of resistance of water-saturated soil due to seismic vibrations |
| Tsunamis | Waves generated by submarine or coastal earthquakes |
| Flooding | Resulting from rupture of hydraulic infrastructure or ground alterations |
| Fires | Caused by ruptures of gas, electrical or other installations after the earthquake |
Comparison: before and after
| Aspect | 1995 Directive | 2026 Directive |
|---|---|---|
| Legal reference framework | Regulations prior to Law 17/2015 | Law 17/2015 and Basic Standard 2023 |
| Risk approach | Direct seismic risk | Multi-risk (earthquake + secondary phenomena) |
| Vulnerable groups | Generic treatment | Strengthened specific protocols |
| Heritage and environment | Not specifically addressed | Expressly included |
| Early warning | Not regulated | Mandatory in plans |
| Drills | No specific requirements | Requirements defined in the directive |
| Inter-administrative coordination | Basic protocols | Detailed and homogeneous protocols |
Economic and operational impact
The directive expressly states that it does not imply an increase in public spending. However, this does not mean there is no operational cost for the affected administrations. Updating a seismic emergency plan requires:
- Review and drafting of technical planning documentation.
- Coordination between departments and administrative levels.
- Integration of early warning systems into existing protocols.
- Design and execution of drills in accordance with new requirements.
- Training of emergency personnel in the multi-risk approach.
The actual cost will fall on technical work hours, coordination and, if necessary, contracting external assistance for drafting or updating plans. Administrations that already have updated seismic plans will have a lower burden; those starting from the 1995 directive without updates will need to undertake a more thorough review.
Who does it affect?
- General State Administration: must adapt its plans and coordination protocols to the new framework.
- Autonomous Communities with seismic zones: required to develop or update their special regional plans.
- Municipalities in seismic zones: must review and update their local seismic emergency plans with the homogeneous minimum content required.
- Emergency services: firefighters, local civil protection, emergency health services and security forces that respond to seismic events.
- Critical infrastructure managers in seismic zones (hospitals, dams, supply networks) that must coordinate with administration plans.
Practical example
A municipality in the Region of Murcia—an area of high seismicity in Spain—that has a seismic emergency plan developed according to the 1995 directive must now begin its update. Under the new directive, that plan must necessarily incorporate:
- A risk analysis of liquefaction in areas with susceptible soils in the municipality.
- Specific protocols for evacuation and care of vulnerable groups (elderly people, people with disabilities, people in dependent situations).
- Measures to protect local historical-artistic heritage in case of earthquake.
- Integration with the regional or national early warning system.
- Planning of at least one drill in accordance with the requirements of the new directive.
- Coordination protocols with the Autonomous Community and the General State Administration.
The 1995 plan, although existing, no longer meets the homogeneous minimum content required and must be updated to comply with Order INT/1069/2026.
What should administrations do now?
- Verify if the municipality or administration is in a seismic zone: only zones with recognized seismic risk are required to have a special seismic plan.
- Review the current seismic emergency plan: check if it is based on the 1995 directive and to what extent it already meets the new requirements.
- Identify gaps with respect to homogeneous minimum content: multi-risk approach, vulnerable groups, early warning, drills, inter-administrative coordination.
- Begin the plan update or development process: assign technical managers and, if necessary, contract specialized external assistance.
- Coordinate with the Autonomous Community and the General State Administration: inter-administrative coordination protocols are an explicit requirement of the new directive.
- Plan and execute drills: incorporate drill requirements into the civil protection activities calendar.
- Update training for emergency personnel in the new multi-risk approach (liquefaction, tsunamis, post-earthquake fires, flooding).
Frequently asked questions
When does the new seismic directive come into force and what is the timeline for adapting plans?
Order INT/1069/2026 came into force on October 11, 2026, the day after its publication in the BOE. The directive does not establish an explicit grace period in the available data: the obligation to develop or update special seismic plans with the new homogeneous minimum content is immediate from that date.
What regulation does this directive replace and what changes from 1995?
The new directive replaces the 1995 Basic Directive, in force for 31 years. The main changes are: incorporation of the multi-risk approach (liquefaction, tsunamis, flooding, fires), strengthened protocols for vulnerable groups, express protection of animals, environment and historical-artistic heritage, obligation of early warning systems and drill requirements. It also adapts to Law 17/2015 on Civil Protection and the Basic Standard 2023.
Does it mean an increase in spending for municipalities and administrations?
The directive itself declares that it does not imply an increase in public spending. However, updating the plans will require technical work hours, inter-administrative coordination, drill design and possible external assistance. The cost will depend on the current state of each administration's plan: those starting from the 1995 directive without updates will have a greater workload.
What secondary phenomena must the new seismic plans address?
Plans must incorporate a multi-risk approach that expressly includes: soil liquefaction, tsunamis, flooding resulting from the earthquake and fires caused by ruptures of installations. This represents a significant expansion compared to the 1995 directive, which focused on direct seismic risk.
Which municipalities are required to have a special seismic plan?
The obligation falls on public administrations, emergency services and municipalities located in seismic zones of Spain. The determination of which zones have recognized seismic risk is established in the reference technical regulations (Seismic-Resistant Standard and seismic hazard maps from the National Geographic Institute). The areas of greatest seismicity in Spain include regions such as Murcia, Granada, Almería, Málaga and the Canary Islands, among others.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21145
