Caring for an older or dependent relative should not be done alone. Spain offers services, a cash allowance and employment rights for caregivers, but almost all of them depend on one first step: the authorities recognising the person’s dependency. This guide summarises Spanish national law as in force on 31 October 2026 and links the official sources. It is general information: each autonomous community sets the specific conditions, amounts and timelines. Official procedures are in Spanish or the regional language.

1. First step: recognition of dependency

The person who needs support, or their representative, applies to the autonomous community where they live, at any time of year. Law 39/2006 (art. 28) sets a maximum of three months to decide, and the decision is valid throughout Spain.

An assessment team visits the person and applies a common scale. The result is one of three grades (art. 26):

  • Grade I, moderate dependency: needs help with several daily activities at least once a day.
  • Grade II, severe dependency: needs help two or three times a day, without permanent support.
  • Grade III, high dependency: needs help several times a day and the continuous support of another person.

Once the grade is recognised, social services draw up an Individual Care Programme (PIA) setting out the services or benefits that apply. IMSERSO explains the procedure (in Spanish) and links each region’s office.

2. Services that may apply

The law’s catalogue (art. 15) includes, among others: telecare, home help, day and night centres, residential care, personal assistance, care and support in housing, and assistive products. Residential care can be temporary, for example during holidays, weekends, illness or rest periods for non-professional caregivers.

Which services are available, and the co-payment, depend on the grade, the person’s financial means and the region.

3. Allowance for care in the family setting

If the dependent person wishes and is cared for by their family, an allowance can be granted to support that care (art. 18). Living arrangements and housing must be suitable, and the PIA must consider this care appropriate. Exceptionally, living together may not be required if caregiver and cared-for person live nearby and there is an unpaid care commitment.

The amount depends on the grade and financial means, and each region regulates the procedure. Ask your local social services or your region’s dependency office.

4. Caregivers’ rights

Since 23 October 2026, the reform of Law 39/2006 by Law 4/2026 explicitly sets out the rights of non-professional caregivers identified in the PIA (art. 4 bis): complete, accessible information on available benefits, and support and training for caring and self-care.

The main caregiver named in the family-care allowance decision is also entitled to priority in employment policy, to work-life balance measures, to the authorities guaranteeing continuity of care if they become seriously ill or are hospitalised, and to inclusion in Social Security.

5. Social Security contributions while caring

The non-professional caregiver named in the allowance decision can sign a special agreement with Social Security (Royal Decree 615/2007). No previous contributions are required. According to the official Social Security guide (in Spanish):

  • At the minimum base, the government pays the full contribution; with a higher base, the caregiver pays the difference.
  • The caregiver cannot be registered full-time under another scheme or receiving unemployment benefit.
  • It is requested from the Social Security Treasury (TGSS) or its online office. If requested within 90 calendar days of the allowance being granted, it takes effect from that date.

6. If you are an employee

The Workers’ Statute provides, among others:

  • Five days’ paid leave for a serious accident or illness, hospitalisation or surgery requiring rest at home of a spouse, partner, relative up to the second degree, or a person you live with who needs your care (art. 37.3.b).
  • Time off for force majeure for urgent family reasons, with up to four days a year paid (art. 37.9).
  • Reduced working hours, between one eighth and one half, with a proportional pay cut, to directly care for a relative up to the second degree who cannot look after themselves (art. 37.6).
  • Leave of absence of up to two years, which can be split, to care for such a relative (art. 46.3).

Your collective agreement may improve on these terms.

Where to ask

Start with your town council’s social services: they advise on the dependency application, local services and respite resources for caregivers. If you live in Catalonia, the Catalan version of this guide explains the Generalitat’s procedure.

DiAlgo is not a public benefit and does not replace these services. If it helps, it can let the family share messages, medication and appointments while care is being organised: see how it works.