Care homes in Spain: residencias, the dependency law and private care
Care by country · 3 min read · Last updated 30 October 2026
Spain's care system is run largely by the autonomous communities (regions), and public support depends on a formal assessment of dependency under the national dependency law, the Ley de Dependencia. For people who have not lived in Spain for long, private residencias are often the realistic route.
Types of residencia
- Public residencias: run by public bodies, with places allocated through the social services system.
- Concertadas: privately run, with some or all places publicly funded.
- Private residencias: set their own prices and admit residents directly.
- Day centres (centros de día) and, in some regions, supervised flats (viviendas tuteladas) for more independent residents.
The dependency law
Under the dependency law (Ley 39/2006), people assessed as dependent in one of three degrees can access services and benefits through the national system for autonomy and dependency care. The degrees are Grado I (moderate dependency), Grado II (severe dependency) and Grado III (great dependency).
The process normally runs through the social services of your autonomous community: you apply, a professional assesses the person, the authority recognises a degree of dependency, and an individual care programme is agreed. Depending on the region and the person's circumstances, this can lead to a place in a public or concertada residencia or a financial benefit linked to a service. Names, waiting times and rules differ by region.
Private residencias
Many families moving a relative to Spain use private residencias. Prices vary widely by region and level of care, so ask each home for a written quote and compare using our guide to care home costs.
- Ask for the home's authorisation and registration details with the regional authority.
- Ask how nursing and medical cover work: is a nurse on site around the clock, or is there a visiting doctor?
- Ask about summer heat and cooling, and about staff languages.
- Ask for the contract in advance, with a translation, and check the notice period and the price-increase clause.
Our guide to moving a parent abroad covers healthcare cover, power of attorney and residency. Spain does not appear in the Hague Conference's status table for the 2000 Adults Convention, so get local legal advice on how your relative's documents will be treated.
Next steps
Browse care homes in Spain, then use the visit checklist when you speak to or visit each one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Spain to get public help?
Yes. According to IMSERSO, applicants must have lived in Spain for five years, with two of those years immediately before applying. Foreign nationals are also subject to Organic Law 4/2000 and relevant treaties.
Who decides who gets a public place?
The autonomous communities manage assessments and allocation, so the process and waiting times depend on the region. Start with the social services of the region where your relative lives.
What are the three degrees of dependency?
Grado I is moderate dependency, Grado II is severe dependency and Grado III is great dependency. The degree recognised affects which services and benefits are available.
Sources and further reading
This guide is general information only, compiled from the public sources listed above as of the date shown. It is not legal, medical, tax, financial or care advice, and we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Rules, thresholds and prices change and differ by country and region, and some sources describe other countries' rules as examples. Check details with the authorities and care homes named, and take professional advice for your own situation before you act. If you spot an error, please email [email protected] and we will correct it.