During the first nine months of 2025, 5,292 people died in Andalusia while waiting for state-supported care. This figure represents more than one-fifth of the total number of deaths in similar circumstances across Spain, where 25,060 such cases were recorded.
On a national scale, the situation is alarming: almost 14,000 people died without having even undergone an assessment, and more than 11,000 passed away after their right to assistance had been recognized but before receiving it. On average, 93 people in Spain die each day while waiting for support—that is one death every 15 minutes.
The problem is particularly acute in four regions: Catalonia, Andalusia, the Valencian Community, and the Canary Islands, which together account for two-thirds of all such cases. For the first time in a decade, the number of people waiting has started to rise, although the queue had been gradually decreasing until now.
The average waiting period for assistance increased in 2025 to 349 days, two weeks longer than the previous year. In Andalusia, this figure is even higher—559 days. The situation also remains difficult in Murcia and the Canary Islands, while only four autonomous communities and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla meet the legally established limit of 180 days.
Experts note that many people never receive assistance, as bureaucratic procedures drag on for months or even years. Meanwhile, the authorities in Andalucía report a record number of people served and an increase in services provided. According to their data, by September 2025, more than 311,000 people in the region are receiving support, and the number of services provided has exceeded 472,000. This is almost one and a half times more than in 2018.
However, despite official reports citing shorter waiting times, the actual numbers remain high. Authorities emphasize that the current 559 days mark significant progress compared to periods when the wait exceeded three years. Still, for thousands of families these numbers bring little comfort: their loved ones did not live to receive the assistance they were entitled to.
In 2025, the number of people stuck in so-called ‘limbo’ increased in eight Spanish regions — they submitted applications but received neither assessment nor support. More than half of these cases are in Cataluña, Andalucía, and the Canary Islands. Experts attribute the deteriorating situation to insufficient funding for the system and a limited range of services offered, despite a rise in recipients.
