Staff are said to have received a text telling them of an issue with the building's air conditioning system amid scorching temperatures in the Belgian capital.

17:31, Fri, Jun 26, 2026 Updated: 17:32, Fri, Jun 26, 2026

EU Commission's Berlaymont building

EU Commission's Berlaymont building in Brussels which has been sweltering in the European heatwave (Image: Getty)

The EU has been left humiliated after one of its headquarters was reportedly forced to shut down its air conditioning due to the scorching heatwave. The air conditioning system in the European Commission’s Berlaymont building in Brussels is said to have encountered an issue on Friday.

Belgium has also been baking under the ‘heat dome’ that has swept across much of western Europe this week. Temperatures in the country are nearing record high for June, with the mercury expected to reach 40C in some areas. Staff at the Berlaymont building reportedly received a text at midday local time informing them of a problem with the air conditioning system.

Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Berlaymont building

People go past the Berlaymont building amid the heatwave (Image: Getty)

“BERL — URGENT — Due to extreme weather conditions, forced shut down of air cooling system from floor 1 to 7 for the rest of the day,” the message said, according to POLITICO.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is based on the 13th floor of the building, the outlet reports.

Most of the 26 commissioners’ officers are on floors eight or above.

Around 3,000 staff work at the 13-storey building in the Belgian capital.

Events across Belgium have been cancelled due to the extreme temperatures, including the re-enactment of Napoleon’s defeat at the battle of Waterloo.

The heatwave in the country is expected to end on Monday, with the mercury forecast to fall to the mid 20s next week.

Most of Belgium has been under an orange heat alert, while the provinces of Limburg and Liège have been under a code red warning.

Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute said Friday is set to be the hottest day of the heatwave, with temperatures beginning to lower on Sunday.

France, Spain, Germany and Italy have also been experiencing soaring temperatures due to the heatwave.

While in the UK, a new record high temperature has been set for June for the third day in a row.

The Met Office warned temperatures are still rising as Friday was confirmed to be the UK’s hottest June day on record with a provisional temperature of 37.3C recorded in Santon Downham, Suffolk, surpassing the high of 36.7C recorded in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday.

Conditions are expected to ease in the coming days.