Spain approves landmark disability and dependency law reform

On 14 July 2026 the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved a comprehensive reform of the General Disability Law and the Dependency Law. The legislation aligns the two statutes with the new article 49 of the Constitution and shifts the model from an assistential approach to one based on rights, personal autonomy, independent living and social inclusion.

Key measures include automatic recognition of a 33% disability level for people classified as Grade I dependent and a 65% level for Grades II‑III, reduction of bureaucratic procedures, strengthening of independent‑living support, and the establishment of universal accessibility as a statutory right. The reform also creates a state programme to improve building accessibility, addressing the estimated 100 000 Spaniards currently confined at home due to inaccessible housing.

Financially, the law earmarks extra emergency credits to increase funding, shortens waiting times for benefit recognition and ensures compatibility between home care and day‑center services. It introduces an early‑retirement scheme for workers with severe disabilities (45%‑60% severity), allowing retirement up to five years earlier without pension reduction, funded by the social security system. The accompanying gender‑impact report notes that 93.3 % of part‑time caregivers are women, highlighting the reform’s relevance to gender equality.

The government describes the changes as the most significant social reform of the century, aimed at improving the lives of millions of people with disabilities and their families.