Overview
- More than 175,000 physicians in Spain are called to walk out February 16–20, with further week‑long stoppages set for March 16–20, April 27–30, May 18–22 and June 15–19.
- Six medical unions leading the action demand a dedicated statute for doctors, rejecting the Health Ministry’s deal with SATSE, CCOO, UGT and CSIF on an updated Estatuto Marco.
- The ministry defends the agreement as modernizing conditions, citing a 45‑hour weekly cap and a move to reduce 24‑hour on‑call shifts toward 17 where feasible, while opposing a doctor‑only law.
- Regional governments have issued services‑minimum orders that keep urgent and vital care running, with Galicia mandating 100% coverage for critical areas and Catalonia guaranteeing normal emergency services and minimum primary‑care staffing.
- Thousands marched in Madrid on February 14 ahead of the first strike week, and authorities warn of disruption after December’s four‑day stoppage in Andalusia led to 4,044 surgeries and about 308,000 consultations postponed, with costs near €38 million.