Health Ministry requires 25 years of experience for reference oncology centers

The Department of Health has published the criteria for recognizing non-profit entities as reference oncology centers of the Valencian Health System. The resolution, signed on October 1, 2026, by the regional minister Marciano Gómez Gómez, appears in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) no. 10467, dated October 7, 2026, and develops the eighth additional provision of Law 5/2026, of July 31.

Law 5/2026, of July 31, on fiscal measures, administrative and financial management, and organization of the Generalitat, establishes a specific regime for complementary oncological provision to the Valencian Health System through non-profit reference oncology centers. This regulation already foresaw the publication of the recognition criteria and the possibility for any entity meeting the requirements to apply for its recognition.

The resolution is issued in the exercise of the powers attributed by Decree 22/2025, of February 11, which approves the Organic and Functional Regulations of the Department of Health (DOGV no. 10046, of February 13, 2025), and takes as a reference Law 10/2014, of December 29, on health in the Comunitat Valenciana, and the forty-ninth additional provision of Law 9/2017, of November 8, on public sector contracts.

Who can apply and under what requirements

Foundations or non-profit entities that consider themselves to meet the requirements of the eighth additional provision may request recognition. They must prove simultaneous compliance with:

• Private legal nature and absence of profit motive.
• Allocation of all surpluses to care, scientific, teaching, or research activities in the oncological field.
• Uninterrupted care trajectory in oncology of at least twenty-five years.
• Monographic oncological character, with practically all of its care activity dedicated to oncological care.
• Technical and scientific accreditations granted by internationally recognized bodies for quality of care and oncological research.

To these are added other requirements: technical solvency to provide the service, being up to date with tax and Social Security obligations, ownership or availability of the center for a period not less than the duration of the agreement, compliance with applicable regulations, occupational risk prevention, and equality and reconciliation plans when required by law.

Documentation and submission of applications

Entities must provide, among other documents:

• Bylaws and accreditation of its legal nature.
• Certification of non-profit status.
• Descriptive report of the healthcare activity and reports for the last five financial years.
• List of human, technological, and organizational resources.
• List of national and international accreditations and certifications.
• Audited annual accounts for the last five financial years.
• Responsible declaration regarding the destination of surpluses and a justifying report on compliance with the requirements.

Applications shall be addressed to the general directorate competent in matters of hospital care and shall be submitted by electronic means, in accordance with Article 14 of Law 39/2015, of October 1, through procedure G95565 of the Generalitat electronic office.

Effects of recognition

Recognition as a reference oncology center does not in itself generate any right to public funding nor does it imply the automatic establishment of collaboration instruments with the Valencian Health System. The eventual articulation of such collaboration will be carried out through the instruments provided for in the eighth additional provision of Law 5/2026.

The publication of these criteria establishes the objective conditions for private oncology foundations to operate as reference centers for the Valencian public system, with a threshold of 25 years of activity and international accreditations that restrict access to consolidated entities. For oncology patients, it opens the way to a complementary service whose financing and articulation remain pending subsequent agreements.

Source: Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, no. 10467, of October 7, 2026, section III (official reference: 2026-31265).