Balearic Islands court win scraps Spain's university decree

Spain’s Balearic Islands win a court challenge that strikes down tougher rules for creating and recognising universities across the country. Spain’s Supreme Court says the government failed to justify rushing the decree through. On 8 October 2026, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities says it respects the ruling but disagrees with it.

Why the court struck it down

The judges do not rule on the tougher requirements themselves. They find that the government did not give sufficient reasons for using an urgent procedure, leaving it without the legal basis to skip an earlier public consultation. The court also orders Spain’s central administration to pay €6,000 in costs.

The ministry argues that the Council of State had approved the urgent procedure. It says a later public consultation received more than 60 submissions, which were considered.

New rules are already in the works

The scrapped decree would have tightened the requirements for creating public universities and recognising private ones. It also called for binding reports from quality agencies. The ministry points to Spain’s 50 public and 49 private universities as it argues that tighter regulation remains urgent.

Ministers are now working on a replacement. The ministry says it wants to approve new rules as soon as possible, within the limits set by the court’s decision.

Topics: Court cases · Education

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com