Germany’s June Heatwave Killed an Estimated 5,100 People

The heatwave that pushed temperatures above 40°C across Germany in late June killed an estimated 5,100 people, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the country’s federal public health agency. That is already far more than Germany typically records in an entire year — and the summer is not over: the next heatwave is forecast for the coming days.

More deaths in two weeks than in entire previous years

The RKI’s latest heat-mortality reports show how exceptional the late-June heat was. In the same April-to-June period, the institute estimated 560 heat-related deaths in 2025, 470 in 2024 and 810 in 2023. This year’s figure of around 5,100 is roughly seven times the highest of those — and it was reached before July had even begun. The true toll may be higher still. The Federal Statistical Office counted 6,800 excess deaths in the week of June 22–28 alone, using a different method. The RKI itself notes that its model may understate the impact, and that figures for recent weeks can still rise as late death reports come in. Heat rarely appears on a death certificate. In most cases, extreme temperatures act together with existing conditions — heart disease, respiratory illness — which is why the death toll has to be estimated statistically, from mortality data and temperature readings at 52 weather stations.

Who is most at risk

The victims were overwhelmingly elderly. Of the estimated deaths up to June 28, around 2,950 were people aged 85 or older, 1,320 were between 75 and 84, 550 between 65 and 74, and about 300 were under 65. More women than men died — largely because women make up a larger share of the oldest age groups. Researchers stress that deaths are only part of the picture. “Heat is a relevant health risk factor, especially for older people, people with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women, but also for people working outdoors,” said Alexandra Schneider of Helmholtz Munich. Veronika Huber of the Spanish research council CSIC called the deaths “the tip of the iceberg,” pointing to overcrowded emergency rooms and overstretched ambulance services on hot days.

A June of records

June 2026 was Germany’s second-warmest June since records began, behind only 2019, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). The final week brought several extremes at once: temperatures above 41°C were measured repeatedly, 46 weather stations broke the 40°C mark on June 27, and the night of June 27–28 was provisionally the warmest night ever recorded in Germany. The nationwide mean temperature that week was 26.4°C — far above the threshold at which heat-related mortality rises sharply.

Hospitals and care homes under pressure

The German Foundation for Patient Protection criticised how poorly prepared hospitals and nursing homes are for extreme heat — many lack even basic external shading. Its chairman, Eugen Brysch, called for a €30 billion federal investment programme to make medical and care facilities heat-proof. “Heat protection plans end where patient protection costs money,” he said.

What it means for people living in Germany

If you are new to Germany, two things are worth knowing. First, air conditioning is rare here: most flats, offices, care homes and even hospitals do not have it, so buildings heat up and stay hot — especially top-floor flats under the roof. Second, forecasters already see the next heatwave arriving within days. The standard advice from German health authorities: drink water regularly before you feel thirsty, keep windows and blinds closed during the day and air the flat at night, avoid exertion in the midday heat, and never leave children or pets in a parked car. Check in on elderly neighbours or relatives — the people dying in these statistics are mostly over 75 and often live alone. Signs of heatstroke (confusion, hot dry skin, loss of consciousness) are a medical emergency: call 112.

---

Reporting based on RKI heat-mortality reports and dpa reporting published by FAZ, t-online and Tagesspiegel. Understand Germany, in plain English. Sign up for The New German newsletter for the news that matters to internationals living here.