In short: from 14 May 2026 the pharmaceutical copay changes: working people pay between 40% and 60% of the medicine price depending on income, pensioners 10%, and several vulnerable groups are exempt. The main novelty: on top of pensioners, working people with income below €35,000 now also have a monthly cap.
Royal Decree-law 11/2026 changes users' contribution to outpatient pharmaceutical benefits (SNS prescription drugs).
Active (working) people (by annual income):
- under €18,000 → 40% of the price
- €18,000–60,000 → 45%
- €60,000–100,000 → 50%
- €100,000 or more → 60%
Pensioners: 10% of the price (60% if income ≥€100,000), with a monthly cap by income: €8.23 (<€18,000); €13.37 (€18,000–60,000); €18.52 (€60,000–100,000); €61.75 (≥€100,000).
Monthly caps for active (working) people — the key novelty of RD-law 11/2026: the percentage applies up to a maximum monthly contribution by income: €8.23 (income under €9,000); €18.52 (€9,000–18,000); €61.75 (€18,000–35,000). Foreigners not registered or authorised as residents in Spain (art. 3 ter of Law 16/2003) pay 40% with a cap of €8.23/month.
Reduced-contribution medicines (ATC groups): 10% of the price with a cap of €4.98 per dispensation (not a monthly cap: Royal Decree-law 12/2026 removed the word "monthly" from art. 102.6.a, in force since 28 May 2026).
If you are charged above your cap: the excess must be refunded by your autonomous community, at a maximum half-yearly frequency (at least every six months).
Exempt (pay 0%): recipients of the Minimum Living Income (IMV), pensioners with minimum supplements, recipients of non-contributory pensions and of social integration incomes, the unemployed without benefit, people with disability/toxic syndrome, minors with disability ≥33%, and those affected by work accident or occupational disease.
Who it applies to: anyone with SNS coverage; the contribution depends on your situation and income, not on nationality.
Official source: BOE-A-2026-10324.
Informational only; check the official source and your pharmacy / health centre for your specific case.
