Spain's sweeping dependency and disability reform heads to final congressional vote
The Congress will vote on amendments to a major overhaul of Spain's dependency and disability laws, aiming to expand home care and cut bureaucracy.
Spain's Congress is poised to vote on a comprehensive reform of the dependency and disability framework, the largest in twenty years. The proposal introduces additional home-care options, including support staff who can accompany beneficiaries on tasks such as shopping, and streamlines the process for obtaining 33% or 65% disability certificates. It also revises the disability law to enshrine universal accessibility, enabling claims before any authority.
Financially, the reform mandates that the central government cover 50% of the certified spending currently shouldered mainly by autonomous communities. The legislation also removes outdated incompatibility rules, expands day-center services to the broader community, and adds provisions for personal autonomy aids like wheelchairs. The vote will consider dozens of amendments, many from the PP, while the government reserves veto power over measures with budgetary impact.
Why it matters
The outcome will reshape care for Spain's aging and disabled population and shift funding responsibilities between the state and regions.
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