# Spain healthcare reform faces threat of nationwide medical's > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-medical-strike-and-healthcare-system-tension > Updated: 2026-09-09T11:46:12.000Z. Sources: 50. Developments: 5. The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved the draft law for the new ‘Estatuto Marco’ (Framework Statute) for healthcare personnel, advancing the reform toward parliamentary debate. The legislation seeks to update the regulatory framework for the National Health System, which has not undergone a major overhaul since 2003. Key provisions include reducing maximum medical shifts from 24 to 17 hours, prohibiting ordinary workdays immediately following a shift, and establishing a maximum weekly work limit of 45 hours. While the Nursing Technicians Union (SAE) has welcomed the progress—provided reclassifications are supported by budgetary funding—medical unions remain in opposition. Seven medical unions, representing approximately 54% of healthcare professionals in Spain, have formed a new alliance called the Unión Médica y Facultativa (UMYF). This confederation includes organizations such as Metges de Catalunya, the Asociación de Médicos y Titulados Superiores de Madrid (AMYTS), O'Mega, Avanza Valencia, and medical unions from Galicia, Navarra, and the Canary Islands. In response to the government's approval of the project, the UMYF has officially announced an indefinite national strike scheduled to begin on October 28. The alliance, which represents approximately 97,000 doctors, argues that the reform maintains “unfair and discriminatory” labor conditions. Beyond seeking a specific medical statute, the unions are now demanding improved working conditions, including a 35-hour work week and enhanced compensation for on-call hours, separate from general statutory regulations. Metges de Catalunya has also called for a strike in Catalonia to coincide with this national action. ## Claims - Medical unions have threatened an indefinite strike starting in September due to the rejection of the Estatuto Marco. (disputed by 7 sources) - An indefinite national strike is scheduled to begin on October 28. (disputed by 5 sources) - The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the draft law for the new Estatuto Marco for health service personnel. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Medical unions claim the proposed Estatuto Marco maintains unfair and discriminatory labor conditions. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The strike aims to demand a specific regulatory framework for doctors and medical faculty. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Seven medical unions have formed the new Unión Médica y Facultativa (UMYF) confederation. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The new regulation limits the maximum working week to 45 hours. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Medical shifts will have a maximum duration of 17 hours. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The new Estatuto Marco will replace the regulations that have been in place since 2003. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Doctors are demanding a 35-hour work week and a specific professional category (A1+). (corroborated by 5 sources) - The strike is a response to the Council of Ministers' approval of the Estatuto Marco reform project. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The reform introduces the concept of 'excessive hourly load' to trigger preventive measures. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Spanish medical unions announce indefinite national strike Spanish medical unions have called for an indefinite national strike starting October 28 to protest the proposed Estatuto Marco and demand a specific regulatory framework for medical professionals. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-medical-unions-announce-indefinite-nationwide-strike ### 2026-08-31: Spain approves Estatuto Marco health reform amid medical strike threats Spain's Council of Ministers has approved the new Estatuto Marco for health workers, sparking threats of an indefinite medical strike over disputes regarding working hours and professional classification. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-advances-healthcare-reform-amid-medical-strike-threats ### 2026-08-22: Spanish medical strikes continue amid regional labor agreements Spanish doctors continue strikes against the Ministry of Health, though five autonomous communities have reached labor agreements regarding working hours, pay, and shift reorganization. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-medical-strikes-continue-amid-regional-labor-agreements ### 2026-08-12: Spain healthcare system faces strain from medical strikes Medical strikes in Spain are causing healthcare disruptions, including rescheduled appointments and increased pressure on hospitals, as doctors protest workload and systemic instability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-healthcare-system-faces-strain-from-medical-strikes ### 2026-08-06: Spanish doctors back indefinite October strike over new medical statute Spanish doctors’ survey shows >60% support an indefinite October strike, 94% willing to drop extra duties, and a demand for a dedicated medical statute, rejecting the current draft. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-doctors-plan-indefinite-strike-in-october-over-health-law --- Cite as: Spain healthcare reform faces threat of nationwide medical's. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-medical-strike-and-healthcare-system-tension