Spain's care benefits backlog: 236,736 waiting

In Spain, 236,736 people are still waiting for care benefits as of 30 September 2026. That is 16.6% fewer than a year earlier, according to an Europa Press calculation based on figures released on Monday by Spain’s Institute for Older People and Social Services (Imserso).

More than six months in the queue

For 134,734 people, the wait has passed six months — the legal maximum. The Spanish government counts them on its official waiting list. Another 76,781 have waited less than six months. In 25,221 further cases, the figures say the delay is not the administration’s fault.

People are held up at different stages. A total of 85,976 are waiting for a decision on their level of care needs. Another 117,017 await a decision on their individual care plan. The remaining 33,743 have that decision but have yet to receive their benefit.

Decisions still take 293 days

From application to a decision on benefits takes 293 days on average, down 21 days from the previous quarter. Rosa Martínez, Spain’s secretary of state for social rights, says the length of the wait remains one of the system’s main challenges.

More people are getting help: the number receiving benefits rose by 41,573 in the third quarter to 1,748,901. Social rights minister Pablo Bustinduy wants the waiting lists gone by 2028.

Topics: Social affairs

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com