Asturias updates the accreditation of addiction treatment centers

The Governing Council of the Principality of Asturias approved Decree 55/2026, of August 10, which regulates the accreditation of social and health care centers and services for people with addictions. The regulation, promoted by the Department of Health, is published in the Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias (BOPA) number 162, of August 21, 2026, and will enter into force twenty days after its publication.

The decree replaces Decree 63/1993, of July 15, which until now governed the authorization and accreditation of these centers, and updates the regulatory framework to the evolution of the phenomenon of addictions. The new regulation is based on the Law of the Principality of Asturias 4/2015, on comprehensive care regarding drugs and alcoholic beverages, and on Law 7/2019, on Health, which attribute the accreditation of Health System centers to the competent Department.

Novelty: Non-substance Addictions

The main novelty of the decree is that it expands its scope of application to non-substance or behavioral addictions, in line with the National Strategy on Addictions 2017-2024, which contemplates the approach to phenomena such as gambling (in-person and online), video games, and other addictions through new technologies. Law 7/2019, on Health, had already incorporated this evolution by including “care for people with drug dependence problems and other addictions” among the actions of the Public Health System.

Accreditation enables centers to establish agreements with the Administration of the Principality and, where applicable, to obtain subsidies. In the signing of agreements or contracts, non-profit entities or organizations working in social and health care for people with addictions will be given preferential consideration.

Modalities and Requirements

The decree distinguishes three modalities of centers and services, each with specific requirements for personnel, infrastructure, and equipment:

• 24-hour inpatient centers, with care provided under an inpatient regime throughout the day.
• Day centers, with care provided under a daytime stay regime.
• Outpatient care centers and services, with care provided at specific hours.

Among the common requirements, prior health authorization is required in accordance with Royal Decree 1277/2003 and Decree 55/2014, technical management with specific training in addictive disorders of at least 150 teaching hours, a therapeutic program based on scientific evidence, and a quality plan. 24-hour inpatient centers must have, among others, one person qualified in clinical or general health psychology for every fifteen users, and rooms shall have a maximum of four beds.

Procedure, Validity, and Sanctioning Regime

Accreditation shall be granted upon request by the interested entity and shall be resolved by the head of the Regional Ministry of Health, following a report from the General Directorate competent in matters of addictions, within a maximum period of six months. The accreditation shall be valid for eight years, renewable upon request three months in advance.

The regulation creates the Registry of Accredited Centers and Services for social and health care for people with addictions and classifies the minor, serious, and very serious infractions derived from non-compliance with the requirements. Centers already accredited under Decree 63/1993 must request validation within six months of its entry into force.

The decree, signed by the president of the Principality, Adrián Barbón Rodríguez, and the regional minister of Health, María Concepción Saavedra Rielo, represents a step forward in the modernization of the addiction care network in Asturias, by adapting resources to new realities and guaranteeing quality and control standards in a healthcare field in full evolution.

Source: Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias, no. 162 of 21-viii-2026, I. General Provisions, page 1/10 (official reference: Code 2026-06994).