Caregiving in Spain: realities, risks, and the push for stable employment
Aiudo’s sectoral insights reveal a challenging landscape for roughly 250,000 caregivers who work in Spain’s home care network. The data highlight widespread strains across a system that supports the daily needs of vulnerable populations, yet often struggles with consistency and reliability in service delivery.
Home care operates within an industry that has long endured economic pressures and uneven professional standards. Caregivers have historically faced unstable working conditions and limited access to training that could raise the quality and dependability of the services they provide.
Over time, professionals in home care have started to adopt new technologies, opening up fresh roles and opportunities within the sector. This shift signals a move toward more standardized practices and improved client outcomes, even as the workforce continues to grapple with structural challenges.
Spain’s caregiver population is estimated at around 800,000, with about 31 percent reportedly working without formal contracts. Aiudo’s internal research emphasizes the gravity of this issue, noting that informal arrangements and untaxed compensation divert substantial funds from public coffers in 2023. When payroll hours per week and typical agency contracts for resident caregivers are considered, the government foregoes a significant amount of monthly revenue. Projected across the year, the total not collected reaches approximately 1.19 billion euros, reflecting the annual loss attributed to the sector’s informal economy in aged care. This figure underscores the fiscal impact and the broader implications for public services and social protection schemes. [Aiudo internal findings]
Recent figures released in 2022 through Aiudo’s Social Impact Report indicate that a black market persists in the sector despite notable progress in recent years. This reality keeps attention focused on the need for stronger enforcement and clearer pathways to formal employment for caregiving professionals.
Social and labor commitments
The sector has faced ongoing concerns about 2023 collections, including the effects of the minimum wage increase now set at 1,080 euros per month gross. Such changes influence efforts to monitor recruitment practices more closely and to implement regulatory actions that address noncompliance by domestic workers and employers alike. These dynamics highlight the urgency of transparent employment arrangements and robust wage protections for caregivers and their families.
Amid these developments, informal terms remain a sizable portion of the contracts managed by home care providers. Companies like Aiudo position themselves as catalysts for moving toward more stable, permanent contracts within the industry. Sector data shows that a meaningful share of contracts remains nonstandard in nature, underscoring the need for consistent frameworks that safeguard workers and ensure reliable care for clients.
Why hire a caregiver in Spain?
Choosing a caregiver without formal employment arrangements can expose dependents and families to several risks. When a caregiver is not registered with Social Security, compensation for work-related injuries may be unavailable, and access to medical care could be limited. Labor inspectors view the absence of a formal contract or Social Security registration as a serious violation, potentially triggering official complaints. These realities emphasize the importance of regulated employment and verified coverage to protect families and ensure accountability in service delivery.
Against this backdrop, safety and high-quality care remain paramount. The reliability of home care services from providers like Aiudo plays a key role in upholding professional standards and safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable individuals. (Source: Aiudo sector studies, 2022-2023)