Catalonia currently has the longest waiting list for dependency care benefits in Spain, with 80,827 people awaiting assistance, according to Diari de Girona. This number significantly exceeds other regions, for example, Madrid, which has 14,559 people on its waiting list.
The overall waiting list for dependency care had gradually decreased since July 2015. That month saw a record high following the inclusion of Grade I dependents into the system. The list continued to shrink progressively until the end of 2024.
Waiting List Trends Reverse
However, 2026 is showing a change in this trend, with numbers beginning to rise again. This shift could be linked to a decision made two years ago by the Catalan government. Officials then halted an extra €600 million funding increase that had been provided over the preceding three years as part of a Shock Plan.
