Spain passes sweeping dependency and disability law reform, adds €6.2bn

The Spanish Congress approved a comprehensive reform of the dependency and disability legislation. The text eliminates incompatibilities between benefits, introduces automatic recognition of disability linked to dependency grades, and expands personal assistance and tele‑assistance as a universal right. The government will assume 50 % of the system’s financing, backed by an extra €6.2 billion earmarked for 2026‑27, the largest injection to date. The vote recorded 179‑33 in favour with the PP abstaining and Vox opposing, while the minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, called it “the biggest social reform of the century”. Trade union UGT welcomed the funding but urged that it be tied to concrete job creation and service improvement. The law also mandates accessibility upgrades in public buildings and modifies the Horizontal Property Law to require communal funding for ramps and elevators. The reform now moves to the Senate for final approval.