Timeline
February 14, 2026 — February 17, 2026
World
Timeline: How Spain's National Doctors' Strike Escalated Over Four Days
In February 2026, Spanish doctors launched an unprecedented national strike demanding their own professional statute independent from the broader healthcare system framework. This timeline tracks the escalation from a massive protest march in Madrid through the first days of nationwide strikes, as over 176,000 doctors challenged the Ministry of Health's Estatuto Marco and called for the resignation of Health Minister Mónica GarcÃa.
11 events · 3 days · 30 source articles
Sat, Feb 14, 2026
Major
Thousands of Doctors March in Madrid Demanding Independent Statute
Between 5,000 (government estimate) and 8,000 (organizer estimate) doctors marched through central Madrid from Congress to the Ministry of Health. Protesters demanded an independent professional statute for doctors, separate from other healthcare workers, and called for Health Minister Mónica GarcÃa's resignation with chants like 'Mónica dimite, los médicos no te admiten' (Mónica resign, doctors don't accept you). The march served as a prelude to the upcoming national strike.
Sat, Feb 14, 2026
Major
Strike Details Announced: Weekly Stoppages Through June
Following the Madrid march, union leaders announced that over 176,000 doctors working in Spain's National Health System would strike from February 16-20, with plans to repeat one week of strikes per month through June as a first phase. VÃctor Pedrero, general secretary of CESM, warned that without changes allowing doctors their own negotiation framework, the public health system would lose doctors entirely.
Sun, Feb 15, 2026
Moderate
Regional Preparations Begin as Strike Looms
Medical unions across Spain prepared for the strike's launch. In Menorca, Sindicato Médico Baleares scheduled a concentration at Hospital Mateu Orfila for Monday morning at 8:30 AM. Regional organizers emphasized their rejection of the Estatuto Marco negotiated between the Ministry of Health and other unions, demanding recognition of doctors' unique professional requirements including revised work schedules and on-call duty models.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Major
National Strike Begins Across Spain's Healthcare System
The first day of the indefinite national doctors' strike commenced, marking the first such action since 1995. Over 176,000 doctors in Spain's National Health System began a five-day work stoppage. The strike was organized by a committee including CESM, Metges de Catalunya, Sindicato Médico de Euskadi, AMYTS, SMA, and O'MEGA. Hospitals and health centers operated with minimal services similar to holiday schedules, with urgent care maintained at 100% but most scheduled activities suspended.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Moderate
Conflicting Reports Emerge Over Minimum Service Requirements
Controversy erupted over minimum service levels as striking doctors accused health authorities of setting 'abusive' requirements. Medical unions in Castilla-La Mancha claimed more doctors were working than on a normal day, undermining the strike's impact. The Sindicato Médico argued the minimum services were disproportionate and had not been properly negotiated, while the regional health service (Sescam) insisted they were negotiated with technical and proportionality criteria.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Moderate
Regional Strike Participation Data Shows Mixed Results
First-day participation figures varied significantly by region. Castilla y León reported 20% overall participation (27% in hospitals, 9% in primary care), with 1,342 of 6,705 available doctors striking. Málaga's regional government cited 25.57% participation while unions claimed nearly 50%. The varied figures highlighted disputes over counting methodologies and the impact of minimum service requirements on visible strike effects.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Major
Health Minister GarcÃa Dismisses Strike Demands as 'Abstract'
Health Minister Mónica GarcÃa characterized the doctors' demands as 'abstract' (synonymous with 'indefinite, imprecise or vague' according to Spanish dictionary), drawing sharp criticism from medical unions and opposition parties. Her comments further inflamed tensions as doctors insisted their demands for a specific professional statute, revised on-call schedules, and improved working conditions were clearly articulated.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Moderate
Opposition PP Backs Doctors, Announces Meeting with Strike Committee
The Popular Party's health spokesperson Carmen Fúnez blamed the government for creating 'chaos' in the healthcare system and announced the PP would meet with the Strike Committee in coming days. The opposition's support represented a significant political dimension to the labor dispute, increasing pressure on the socialist-led government and Health Minister GarcÃa.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Moderate
Patients Report Widespread Appointment Cancellations
Despite minimum services, patients across Spain reported cancelled appointments and disrupted care. At Hospital Doctor NegrÃn in the Canary Islands, patients like 'Juan,' scheduled for his first neurology consultation months after suffering a stroke, were turned away and told to wait for rescheduling calls. The combination of the strike and a holiday weekend left many hospitals notably emptier than usual.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Minor
Strike Participation Estimates Diverge Widely in Canary Islands
Sharp disagreements emerged over strike participation rates in the Canary Islands, with CESM Canarias estimating 63% participation while the regional Health Ministry claimed only 15.89% across primary and hospital care. Of 7,003 available doctors, the union count suggested over 4,400 participated while government figures implied around 1,100. The dispute highlighted ongoing tensions over how to measure and report strike impact.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Moderate
Editorial Analysis Notes Decreasing Participation in Fourth Strike Week
Major newspapers published editorials observing that this fourth week of medical strikes showed declining participation compared to earlier actions. Analysts noted the disproportion between the scale of mobilizations (weekly monthly strikes through June) and the remaining gap between demands and what had already been achieved through the Estatuto Marco agreement. The analysis emphasized that striking unions represented only part of the medical profession, as general unions and nursing groups had already signed the framework agreement.
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