Congress passes a new Dependency Act that increases state funding

Congress approved by a majority, with the votes against Vox and the abstention of the PP, the reform of the laws on dependency and disability, which provides for the extension of rights, services and benefits, and also legally guarantees that the State will assume 50% of the financing of the dependency system. Both the PNVand EH Bildu have expressed their satisfaction with the adoption by incorporating into the text the contributions made by both parties.

With 179 votes in favour, 33 against and 137 abstentions, the text amending both laws, which will be forwarded to the Senate, was adopted on Tuesday, in addition to the adoption of the decrelaw to increase State funding for dependency by €6.2 billion between 2026 and 2027 to be distributed among the autonomous communities, a measure that has also received the support of the PP.

The Minister for Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, stressed after the adoption that this reform represents a "profound transformation" of the system to meet the needs of both caregivers and caregivers, ensuring their autonomy.

Improved funding

The adoption of the Act provides for the commitment of the State to assume 50 per cent of the funding of the dependency system, an issue to which the Basque institutions attach great importance.

This afternoon, the Basque Government and the Member States will present to the Joint Committee of the Economic Concert an agreement on the financing of dependency, which has so far been largely borne by the Basque institutions.

The agreement to be presented today complies with the commitment made by the Spanish Government in the Joint Commission of the Economic Concert in 2025 to cover half of the dependency expenditure of the Basque Administration.

A few weeks ago, the Council of Ministers increased the amount that the Government transfers to the Autonomous Communities for each person with recognized dependency, and the Spanish Government will transfer an additional EUR 179 million to the Basque Country between 2026 and 2027.

Contributions from the PNV

The PNV, despite its positive assessment of the adoption of the law, recalls that this bill began with an amendment to its entire group for two reasons: funding and respectfor the competition framework.

"The bill now includes a better competency adjustment. There is a political commitment to funding. In addition, significant improvements have been made thanks to the approved amendments," said PNV spokeswoman Maribel Cowboy after the approval.

Among the improvements included in the Dependency Act, Cowboy highlighted the financial support to be provided to the caregiver, the measures to ensure that the dependent person continues to live in his or her usual environment, and the continuity of care in cases of hospitalization or serious illness of the principal caregiver.

EH Bildu's 20 amendments

EH Bildu, for his part, declared after its adoption that the law "is not perfect, but is a step forward." The sovereign coalition has incorporated 20 amendments into the text adopted in Congress.

The progress made includes " a maximum period of three months for the assessment of dependency"," the recognition of personal assistance as a right and the extension of access to it ", and" progress in independent life, transparency, gender perspective and recognition of caregivers ".