Nationwide doctors’ strike in Spain: health system faces months of disruption

Spain is bracing for months of disruption in its public health system after doctors’ unions called an indefinite national strike starting on Monday 16 February. The walkout will roll out in waves across the country and could affect everyday medical care well into the summer if talks with the government fail.

Why doctors are going on strike

The strike is being coordinated by the main medical unions, led by the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) and regional organisations such as the Sindicato Médico Andaluz and Metges de Catalunya. Their anger centres on the government’s proposed reform of the Estatuto Marco, the law that sets working conditions in Spain’s public health system.

Doctors argue that the reform has been negotiated without real input from frontline professionals and does not address long‑standing problems such as chronic staff shortages, excessive workloads and burnout. They want a separate legal statute for doctors and specialists, with clear rules on on‑call shifts, working hours, career progression and the possibility of earlier retirement in high‑stress posts.

How the strike will work

The action has been called as an “indefinite intermittent” strike. In practice, this means week‑long walkouts repeated month after month. The current calendar foresees stoppages from 16 to 20 February, from 16 to 20 March, at the end of April, and again in May and June if there is no agreement.

Tens of thousands of doctors from all regions are expected to join, including those working in health centres, hospitals and emergency services. The unions warn that this could become the biggest medical mobilisation in decades if the government does not reopen negotiations with concrete concessions on the table.

Minimum services and what will still function

By law, regional governments must guarantee minimum services during the strike. Emergency departments, intensive care units, maternity wards, oncology treatments and other critical services will remain open and staffed. Urgent, non‑deferrable care will continue to be provided 24/7.

However, non‑urgent care will be heavily affected. Routine GP appointments, specialist consultations, scheduled tests and elective surgeries are likely to be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled on strike days. Many hospitals and health centres will operate with holiday‑level staffing, prioritising only the most serious cases.

Impact on patients and the wider system

For patients who depend on Spain’s public health system, the most immediate impact will be longer waiting times and more uncertainty about appointments. People with chronic illnesses or pending diagnostic tests may see their timelines pushed back, especially if several strike weeks accumulate.

The private sector is also expected to feel the shock. Private clinics and hospitals are already seeing increased demand from patients who do not want to delay consultations or tests. If the strike drags on for months, pressures could spread across the entire health ecosystem, from primary care to specialised services.

Growing political pressure on the government

The conflict is putting additional pressure on the Ministry of Health. Medical organisations accuse the government of ignoring their warnings about the state of the public health system and of trying to approve a generic workforce law that, in their view, does not recognise the specific demands and responsibilities of doctors.

In the run‑up to the strike, thousands of doctors and medical specialists marched in Madrid calling for a “Medical Statute” of their own and for better working conditions to stop the exodus of Spanish‑trained doctors to other European countries. Unions insist that the strike is not only about salaries, but about making the profession sustainable and ensuring that the quality of care for patients does not deteriorate further.

What patients should expect on strike days

Patients with existing appointments will need to confirm directly with their health centre or hospital whether their visit is going ahead. Many services will inform people by SMS or phone if consultations or tests are cancelled, but not all systems are reliable, so double‑checking is advisable.

Anyone who develops a serious health problem should continue to call the emergency number 112 or go to the nearest emergency department. Emergencies will continue to be treated as normal. For minor issues, pharmacies, teleconsultations and private clinics may help bridge the gap on strike days, although they cannot fully substitute regular primary care.

A long dispute with no quick fix in sight

With positions still far apart, nobody expects a quick resolution. The unions say they are open to dialogue but insist that they will not call off the strike unless the government makes concrete commitments on working hours, on‑call shifts and recognition of the medical profession’s specific status within the health system.

For now, Spain faces months of intermittent disruption, with the risk that waiting lists will lengthen and tensions inside the health service will grow. How this confrontation is resolved will shape not only doctors’ working lives, but also the future resilience of the country’s public healthcare system.

Worried About Delays in Spain’s Public Healthcare System?

With doctors planning an indefinite strike, routine appointments and specialist referrals could face significant delays. If you depend on the public system, now is the time to make sure you have a reliable alternative in place.

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