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Indefinite doctors' strike in Catalonia from 28 October despite cancellation of national walkout
Doctors in Catalonia have been called to an indefinite strike starting Wednesday, 28 October. The strike will go ahead even though unions have called off the general strike planned across Spain. The professionals are demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and a reduction in workload.
Catalonia’s healthcare system is facing a new wave of protests. The union Metges de Catalunya is maintaining its call for an indefinite strike starting on 28 October 2026, amid ongoing disagreements over doctors’ working conditions.
This decision comes after the cancellation of the nationwide strike. However, unions in several autonomous communities have chosen to continue with their own protests.
In addition to Catalonia, protests are also continuing in the Canary Islands, Comunidad Valenciana, Madrid, and Andalusia, although each has its own timetable.
What doctors in Catalonia are demanding
Metges de Catalunya’s demands focus on working conditions, pay, and workload.
One of their main demands is to limit shifts to a maximum of 12 hours, a measure the union says would reduce accumulated fatigue and improve shift organisation.
They are also calling for GPs to see no more than 25 patients per day, to allow more time per consultation and reduce excessive workloads.
On pay, doctors are asking for an increase of at least 20%, as well as better compensation for on-call shifts.
Another demand is to increase staffing levels to better distribute workloads and ease pressure on professionals.
Why is the strike continuing if the national call has been cancelled?
Cancelling a nationwide strike does not automatically mean that strikes organised by regional unions are suspended.
In Catalonia, Metges de Catalunya has decided to stick to its protest calendar, arguing that their demands remain unresolved.
As a result, the Catalan protest will continue independently, regardless of the decision taken on the general strike in Spain.
The strike is planned to be indefinite, with no end date announced.
Five regions continue with protests
The doctors’ strikes are not limited to Catalonia. The timetable announced by the unions includes four other autonomous communities.
While the protests share concerns about doctors’ working conditions, the specific calls and demands depend on the unions in each region.
How could the strike affect patients?
The strike could disrupt the usual activity at primary care centres and hospitals in Catalonia, although the actual impact will depend on how widely the strike is followed and on the minimum services that are set.
At present, there is not enough information to determine how many appointments, tests, or procedures might be affected.
Patients with appointments in the coming days should pay attention to communications from their healthcare centres in case of possible changes to services.
When does it start and how long will it last?
The doctors’ strike in Catalonia will begin on Wednesday 28 October and, according to the union’s announcement, does not have a set end date.
The main demands are to reduce shifts to 12 hours, limit daily patient numbers in primary care to 25, increase salaries by at least 20%, improve pay for on-call shifts, and strengthen staffing levels.
The protest will continue independently of the cancelled national strike, as long as the unions maintain their demands regarding working conditions in Catalonia’s healthcare system.