Spain expands early retirement eligibility for disability

Spain has expanded the list of medical conditions that qualify workers for early retirement due to disability. Under current regulations, workers with a disability degree of 45% or higher can retire starting at age 56 without reduction coefficients, provided they meet specific requirements.

The recent reform adds 11 new pathologies to the existing list of 21. New inclusions include Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, chronic kidney disease (stage G5), spina bifida, and systemic sclerosis, among others. These join previously recognized conditions such as ALS, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

In Galicia, approximately 2,800 people are expected to benefit from this expansion. Nationally, the Spanish government estimates that around 50,000 people could qualify.

For self-employed workers (autónomos), eligibility depends on the recognized degree of disability and years of contributions. While a 45% disability degree allows for retirement starting at age 56, a degree of 65% or higher offers more favorable conditions, potentially allowing retirement as early as age 52. The specific retirement age is calculated by reducing the ordinary retirement age based on the years contributed with a recognized disability.