ERS Congress 2026 in Barcelona: dates, programme and recommended accommodation

ERS Congress 2026 in Barcelona

The ERS Congress 2026 (European Respiratory Society Congress) will return to Barcelona from 5 to 9 September 2026, bringing together thousands of respiratory-health specialists at Fira Gran Via, in halls 1 to 3 (Carrer de les Ciències, s/n, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat).

Recognised as the world’s leading scientific meeting in pulmonology, the ERS Congress is a key gathering point for patients, researchers, physicians, respiratory professionals and international organisations committed to improving lung health.

The 2026 edition is defined by a deeply human and collaborative approach expressed through its official theme:

“United for better breathing: collaboration between patients, clinicians and researchers.”

The goal of the congress goes beyond presenting cutting-edge research: it seeks to create a space where scientific knowledge, clinical experience and the perspectives of people living with respiratory diseases come together in a meaningful and continuous dialogue.

Priority themes of the ERS Congress 2026

The programme is structured around three fundamental pillars:

1. Co-creation of care: patients as equal partners

ERS promotes active patient involvement in clinical decision-making, encouraging relationships based on mutual respect and shared responsibility. The aim is for the patient to stop being a passive recipient of care and become an informed and empowered collaborator.

2. Listen first: identifying unmet needs

A central priority of the 2026 ERS Congress is to improve clinical practice by understanding the real needs of people living with lung diseases. This includes identifying everyday challenges, uncovering real-world barriers and establishing action priorities that lead to tangible improvements.

3. Discover together: advancing collaborative research

The congress seeks to strengthen a model in which patients, clinicians and researchers work as a single team—from study design to implementation of results—creating a more efficient roadmap to advance respiratory health.

Patient perspective: a core pillar of the Congress

The European Lung Foundation (ELF) will play a decisive role in 2026, helping ERS assemblies and session organisers to:

• integrate the perspectives of patients and caregivers into their activities 
• ensure that the programme reflects topics relevant to people living with pulmonary conditions 

ELF has also prepared a seminar on how patient voices can shape the ERS Congress 2026, available on its website for those interested in exploring this field further.

This inclusive approach signals a structural shift within the respiratory community: knowledge is no longer built in isolation, but through a shared process that unites science, lived experience and clinical practice.

The best accommodation for ERS Congress 2026: Hotel Alma Barcelona

Attending an international congress of this scale requires accommodation that meets high standards. Hotel Alma Barcelona stands out as the most recommended option for professionals travelling to the city for the ERS Congress.

The hotel offers:

• An elegant and serene atmosphere—ideal for recovering after long scientific sessions
• Spacious, quiet rooms designed to ensure restorative rest
• Premium services, including spa, indoor pool and wellness treatments
• Restaurante Alma, offering refined gastronomy perfect for relaxed dinners
• Chauffeur service, ideal for convenient transfers to Fira Gran Via

Its strategic location in the heart of Barcelona also allows guests to enjoy the city before or after the congress, with easy access to cultural attractions, restaurants, boutiques and iconic landmarks.

For professionals seeking comfort, productivity and a high-quality stay, Hotel Alma Barcelona is undoubtedly the ideal accommodation during ERS Congress 2026.

A strategic location to combine work, rest and leisure

Beyond its premium services, Hotel Alma Barcelona stands out for its privileged location in the Eixample district, one of the most elegant and well-connected areas of the city. From the hotel, reaching Fira Gran Via is simple—by car, taxi, public transport or via the exclusive chauffeur service.

At the same time, the neighbourhood around the hotel gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy Passeig de Gràcia, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló and luxury shopping areas. This combination of accessibility, comfort and vibrant urban surroundings makes Hotel Alma Barcelona the perfect base for attendees of the ERS Congress 2026 who want to make the most of their stay in Barcelona.