Spain dependency waiting lists reach historic low despite regional increases

Spain's dependency care waiting lists have reached a historic low, decreasing by nearly 6% in the third quarter and 22.7% so far this year. According to data from the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and 2030 Agenda, 134,734 people are currently awaiting degree assessments or services. While the national average waiting time has dropped to 293 days, the improvement is attributed to increased state funding, with a projected investment of 6.2 billion euros between 2026 and 2027.

However, the progress is not uniform across all regions. Castilla-La Mancha is one of only three autonomous communities where waiting lists increased during the July to September 2026 period, recording 181 additional people on the list. The Basque Country and Cantabria also saw increases. In contrast, regions such as Catalonia, Asturias, and Andalusia reported significant reductions in their waiting numbers.