New Valencian regulation organizes social service centers

The Consell has approved Decree 129/2026, of September 3, which regulates the typology and operation of the centers, services, and programs of the social services of the Comunitat Valenciana, as well as their organization within the functional, territorial, and jurisdictional structure of the Valencian Public Social Services System (SPVSS). The regulation, promoted by the Conselleria of Social Services, Family and Childhood, is published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana number 10446, of September 8, 2026, and enters into force the day following its publication.

The decree develops Law 3/2019, of February 18, on inclusive social services of the Comunitat Valenciana, whose system was recognized as essential and of general interest by the Constitutional Court in Judgment 82/2020, of July 15. It replaces Decree 27/2023, of March 10, which is hereby repealed, and which had already been revised by Decree 51/2024, of April 29, and by article 87 of Law 6/2024, of December 5, on administrative simplification.

A system structured in two levels of care

The regulation recovers the model of Law 3/2019, which organizes social services into two continuous and complementary levels of care, oriented toward keeping people within their life and community contexts:

• Primary care, subdivided into two levels of action: one of a basic nature and another of a specific nature, aimed at reinforcing or rehabilitating personal and social autonomy.
• Secondary care, whose benefits focus on the supports necessary for situations that require specialized, comprehensive, and sustained intervention over time.

The decree defines each typology of centers, services, and programs, indicating their purpose, their service charter, and their general and specific characteristics. These include, among others, day centers, night centers, residential centers, and centers with special characteristics of a socio-sanitary, socio-educational, or complementary nature.

Rights of users and participation

The preliminary title guarantees the rights of users, their families, and close associates, and regulates non-voluntary admission to a social services center. It also establishes the minimum conditions for the contracting of the service charter when there is financial compensation from the users.

Regarding participation, all residential centers must have a center council, and the right of users to participate in the development of their social intervention processes and in the decision-making that affects them is regulated. Channels for suggestions, complaints, and expressions of gratitude are also provided.

Material conditions and regulatory development

Title IV establishes the basic material and functional conditions of the centers, services, and programs, including their location and identification, basic functionality, staffing levels, and required documentation. The regulation is completed by eight additional provisions, seven transitional provisions, one repealing provision, and two final provisions, as well as an annex containing the catalog of centers, services, and programs.

The development of the typologies is referred to orders from the competent conselleria, which will address the functional programs and material conditions of the centers, staffing levels and ratios, professional qualifications, and basic documentation. Until they enter into force, Decree 27/2023 will provisionally remain in effect regarding the matters requiring such development.

The decree, signed in València on September 3, 2026, by the president of the Generalitat, Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca, and the consellera of Social Services, Family, and Childhood, Elena Albalat Aguilella, directly affects users, families, and sector entities, which must adapt their centers and programs to the new organization of the system.

Source: Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana, no. 10446, September 8, 2026, section I. General Provisions, p. 1 (official reference: DOGV-C-2026-26047).