Spain prepares for August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse with safety guidelines

On 12 August 2026 a total solar eclipse will be visible across 32 Spanish provinces, with a maximum duration of about 110 seconds near sunset. The path of totality will cross regions such as Galicia, the Basque Country, Castilla‑León, Madrid, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, while the rest of the country will see a partial eclipse.

Health officials and optics experts stress that looking directly at the Sun, even during totality, can cause severe retinal damage. They advise using only eclipse‑viewing glasses that meet the ISO 12312‑2 standard, warning that ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, photographic negatives or DIY filters do not provide adequate protection. Additional precautions include fitting the glasses before looking at the Sun, avoiding telescopes or binoculars without proper solar filters, taking regular viewing breaks, and watching for symptoms such as blurred vision or dark spots after the event.

General Optica will supply certified eclipse glasses in more than 180 of its Spanish stores, offering up to two pairs free of charge to registered customers. Similar safety messages have been issued by medical‑pharmaceutical company Cinfa and regional astronomy groups, which also recommend using official viewing points and supervising children during the eclipse.