Spain Faces Major Healthcare Disruptions as Doctors Begin Four-Day Strike Over Estatuto Marco Reforms
Doctors across Spain began a large-scale four-day strike on December 9, protesting proposed reforms to the Estatuto Marco that they say worsen working conditions and threaten the healthcare system.
- • Doctors in Spain initiated a four-day national strike from December 9 to 12 against the proposed Estatuto Marco reforms.
- • Strike participation rates range from 85% to 90% nationally, with regional variations like higher rates in Andalusia and Galicia.
- • Doctors demand a dedicated medical statute ensuring better working hours, fair compensation, and protections against forced relocations.
- • Health Minister Mónica García supports the reforms, but unions argue they risk exacerbating staff shortages and ignoring key demands.
Key details
On December 9, 2025, doctors across Spain launched a nationwide four-day strike in protest against proposed reforms to the Estatuto Marco, the legal framework regulating public health workers. Organized by the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) and the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA), the strike affects hospitals and health centers across all regions, including Madrid, Cataluña, Valencia, Andalucía, the Balearic Islands, and Galicia. Non-urgent services have been heavily impacted, with cancellations and delays expected, while emergency care continues under minimum service provisions.
Participation rates are high, with CESM reporting between 85% and 90% strike compliance nationwide. Andalusia registered almost 90%, while the Canary Islands saw lower participation near 60%. In Galicia, participation data varies: official figures indicate about 18.24% on strike in the morning across centers, but the local O'mega union claims much higher rates, such as 84.1% at A Coruña hospital. The union criticized government-set minimum service levels as excessive and argued that doctors face unsustainable working conditions—including long shifts and lack of retirement considerations—that jeopardize patient safety.
Protests included thousands of doctors marching in Madrid and Barcelona, chanting demands for improved working conditions and recognition of their responsibility and efforts through a dedicated medical statute. The strike results from dissatisfaction with the draft Estatuto Marco, which medical unions contend does not adequately address critical issues such as working hours, pay for on-call shifts, and forced relocations within public health services.
Health Minister Mónica García has defended the reform draft, highlighting that it includes key improvements such as reducing shifts from 24 to 17 hours. However, unions reject this stance, arguing that the proposals risk worsening doctor shortages and prompt more emigration of trained physicians. Angela Hernández, secretary general of Amyts union, described the strike as an outcome of failed dialogue, noting the ministry ignored proposals from the medical community.
The strike unfolds amid a flu epidemic that is increasing pressure on emergency services, particularly in regions like Galicia. Medical unions demand a specific legal statute for physicians to negotiate better working conditions and protections. If no resolution emerges soon, further strike actions are planned for January 2026, suggesting ongoing tensions that could profoundly affect Spain's public healthcare system moving forward.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
