Spain injects an extra €6.2 billion into dependency care with decree-law doubling transfers to regions

Government doubles minimum-level dependency funding

On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers approved a royal decree-law that will inject an additional €6.2 billion into the System for Autonomy and Dependency Care (SAAD) over 2026 and 2027. The regulation doubles the minimum-level transfers that the state sends monthly to autonomous communities for each recognised dependent person. As of 31 May 2026, the Imserso recorded 1,720,103 people with recognised benefits, all of whom the ministry says will benefit. The measure enters into force on 1 July 2026, with the new amounts starting to be transferred immediately.

Sharply higher per-person amounts

The decree significantly raises the fixed per-person amounts according to dependency grade. The allocation for people with degree III (great dependence) increases by 128%, meaning the state contribution more than doubles. For degree II (severe dependence) the rise is 100%, and for degree I (moderate dependence) it is 18%. The Ministry of Social Rights considered the boost “especially significant” and described the overall contribution as “the largest in its history”.

Regional distribution: Andalusia, Madrid and Catalonia top the list

The ministry’s economic projections show wide variation in the sums each community will receive in 2027 for the minimum level alone. Andalusia heads the ranking with €1,275.5 million, an increase of €635.8 million over the previous framework. Madrid follows with €887.4 million (+€453.3 million) and Catalonia with €794.7 million (+€378.2 million). Other notable allocations include Valencia (€694.6 million), Castile and León (€459.8 million) and Galicia (€361.0 million).

Political reaction in Andalusia

María Jesús Montero, secretary general of the PSOE in Andalusia, called the extra funding “historic” and urged the regional government to act.

Now the Andalusian government must focus on managing this historic investment. There are no more excuses.

She argued that reaching 50% state financing by 2027 would mean more resources to cut waiting lists, strengthen care and improve services.

Next step: the agreed-level funding

The figures published so far cover only the “minimum level” of state funding, a fixed amount per recognised dependent person. The second pillar, the “agreed level”, involves additional funds negotiated between the state and the regions. That discussion will take place at the Territorial Council of Social Services and the SAAD scheduled for Monday, 29 June 2026.