Spain advances dependency and disability law reforms

Spain is advancing major legislative reforms to the Dependency and Disability laws. Following approval by the Congress of Deputies, the reform is currently undergoing review in the Senate, where 150 amendments have been presented by various parliamentary groups.

The reform aims to expand rights, services, and benefits while reducing bureaucracy for individuals with disabilities and dependency. A key component includes a €6.2 billion funding increase for 2026 and 2027, intended to ensure state investment reaches 50% of the total system cost.

One significant measure recognizes the role of the primary caregiver and expands the status of assistants within a citizen's relational environment. However, Mar Ugarte Ozcoidi of the Spanish Council for the Defense of Disability and Dependency noted that while the changes are positive, a “reasonable time” will be needed to see real-world effects and that effective implementation must overcome historical issues of bureaucracy and funding gaps.

In the Senate, the People's Party (PP) intends to introduce amendments to challenge the government's approach, emphasizing that rights require economic backing. If the Senate modifies the text, the legislation must return to the Congress for final approval.