Sánchez announces €2.2bn extra for dependency care, largest in democratic history, as Ábalos conviction shakes government

A record investment in dependency care

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved a royal decree-law on Tuesday injecting an additional €2.218 billion into the national dependency system this year. The measure is the first tranche of a €6.2 billion extra allocation planned for 2026 and 2027, which the government describes as the largest investment in dependency in Spain's democratic history.

Today the Council of Ministers is going to approve a royal decree-law with the largest investment in dependency in our democratic history. We are talking specifically about 2.218 billion euros extra to care more and better for those who need it most.

The package will lift total state funding for dependency to €5.51 billion in 2026 and €7.24 billion in 2027, double the 2025 level. The government says this will allow the central administration to cover 50% of the system's cost, up from just over 25% currently.

Political context: the Ábalos shadow

The announcement came one day after the Supreme Court sentenced former transport minister José Luis Ábalos to 24 years in prison and his former advisor Koldo García to 19 years for criminal organisation, bribery, embezzlement and influence peddling. Sánchez, speaking at the IMSERSO institute, avoided direct comment on the case but framed the social spending as the reason his government should continue.

To those who ask why this government wants to continue despite all the difficulties and stones in the road, I say: the answer is here. We continue to improve people's lives, to expand rights, to build a fairer country.

The prime minister is expected to face parliamentary questioning over the corruption scandals affecting his inner circle.

How the money will be spent

The extra funding will be channelled through the SAAD (System for Autonomy and Dependency Care) by raising the minimum protection amounts the state transfers to regional governments for each recognised dependent person. The government says the injection will pursue three goals: reducing waiting lists, guaranteeing more and better care, and improving working conditions for carers.

Regional governments, which hold exclusive competence for managing dependency services, will begin receiving the higher transfers from 1 July 2026. The decree-law also makes the increased funding a legal obligation, shielding it from future budget cuts unless a new law reverses it.

What changes for dependents

The reform doubles or more than doubles the monthly amounts for the most severe cases. Spain has over 1.6 million people recognised as dependent.

For those with grade III (total dependency), the monthly payment rises from €290 to €660, a 128% increase. Grade II (severe dependency) doubles from €130 to €260. Grade I (moderate dependency) sees a smaller rise from €76 to €90, an 18% increase.

Implementation timeline

The government has set out a rapid schedule for the funding increase.

Sánchez said the investment "almost multiplies by five" the state's contribution since his government took office, rising from around €1.3 billion during the austerity years to nearly €3.8 billion in 2025. The new package aims to reach over €7.2 billion by 2027.