The PP and Vox have approved a law in Valencia tightening access to social aid and housing. The measure also introduces tax cuts favoring high earners. Opposition parties warn of growing exclusion.
Valencia’s regional parliament has passed a sweeping law that tightens access to social benefits and public housing, while introducing new tax breaks for the wealthiest residents. The legislation, known as the Ley de Acompañamiento, was approved on Friday with the combined votes of the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox, who together hold a majority in Les Corts. The move cements the controversial 'prioridad nacional' principle into Valencian law, giving preference to Spanish nationals and long-term residents for public assistance.
The new rules mean that only those with at least five years of registered residence in any Spanish municipality will be eligible for public housing and most social aid. People in irregular administrative situations will be excluded from structural social services, except in cases of urgent need as defined by law. The law also requires applicants to demonstrate a reinforced period of residency and contribution to the system, including work history and tax payments.
Alongside these restrictions, the PP and Vox have pushed through significant tax changes. The law reduces the IRPF (personal income tax) retroactively from 2026, with an additional 0.15% cut for those earning over €100,000 annually. By 2027, the total reduction for this income bracket will reach 0.25%. The threshold for paying the Impuesto de Patrimonio (wealth tax) has also been raised from €1 million to €2 million, meaning only about 4,200 Valencians will pay the tax, compared to nearly 28,000 before the PP and Vox coalition took office.
Vox’s proposals were largely accepted by the PP, except for a further cut to the budget of the Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua, which the far-right party has openly targeted for elimination. Amendments from opposition parties, including PSPV-PSOE and Compromís, were rejected. The opposition accused the government of adopting exclusionary and discriminatory policies, with heated exchanges marking the debate. Critics argue that the tax cuts disproportionately benefit high earners, while new residency requirements will make it harder for vulnerable groups to access support.
The law also introduces a ban on wearing burkas and niqabs in public spaces, including transport and healthcare centers. Officials will be required to enforce the rule, with local police overseeing compliance. The measure is framed as a security and identification issue, but has drawn criticism from rights groups and opposition politicians.
This legislative package completes the approval of the Generalitat’s third budget under the PP, and the first under president Juanfran Pérez Llorca. The government claims the changes will simplify bureaucracy and dedicate €350 million to housing, while ensuring that tax relief reaches middle and lower incomes. However, opposition parties maintain that the reforms primarily serve the privileged and undermine social cohesion.
According to available data, the 'prioridad nacional' principle is being implemented in Spain for the first time at this scale. The Ley de Acompañamiento functions as an annual legislative catch-all, allowing the government to introduce a wide range of measures alongside the main budget law. The changes in tax and social policy reflect a broader trend in some Spanish regions toward stricter residency requirements and targeted fiscal relief. The debate in Valencia highlights ongoing tensions over migration, social spending, and the distribution of public resources.
