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# MIR Shifts Cut to 17 Hours Under New Spanish Decree
- URL: https://barna.news/mir-shifts-cut-to-17-hours-under-new/
- Published: 2026-11-04T15:50:14.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-04T15:50:14.000Z
- Description: Resident doctors in Catalonia will see on-call shifts limited to 17 hours from September 2027, following a national decree approved by the Spanish government.
- Author: Barna.News News Desk
- Tags: health, #stop-overridden

## 17-hour cap on shifts welcomed by Metges de Catalunya

Metges de Catalunya (MC) has welcomed the reduction of on-call shifts for medical residents (MIR) to a maximum of 17 consecutive hours, following the approval of a new decree by the Spanish Council of Ministers on Tuesday 3rd November 2026\. The measure, part of a broader reform to the labour conditions of specialist healthcare trainees (FSE), will take effect from September 2027\. Under the new rules, the combined duration of ordinary working hours and on-call duties must not exceed 17 consecutive hours. A minimum of 12 continuous hours of rest must follow, and residents are guaranteed 24 uninterrupted hours of weekly rest, which can be accumulated with daily rest periods when applicable. These rest periods are mandatory, non-renounceable, and non-recoverable, according to the Spanish government.

## Concerns over pay and implementation

While MC praised the shift reduction, it criticised the accompanying pay increase as "meagre", noting that MIR salaries remain close to the interprofessional minimum wage despite their essential role in sustaining 24/7 medical care. The union called on the Catalan Department of Health to open negotiations with resident representatives to ensure fair implementation across the region’s healthcare centres. MC also highlighted that limits on mandatory on-call shifts, capped at four per month, along with 12-hour minimum rest periods and 36-hour weekly rest, have already been in place in Catalonia since October 2020, following a strike resolution between MIR representatives, MC, and the Catalan Health Institute (ICS). These provisions are now being incorporated into national legislation.

## Future application and safeguards

The decree stipulates that no resident’s ordinary workday can exceed 35 hours per week on average over each semester. Healthcare centres must publish training schedules at least two months in advance, prioritising educational objectives and competencies. MC has pledged to monitor the decree’s rollout across all Catalan healthcare providers with resident doctors, ensuring no reduction in pay or rest entitlements and that ordinary hours before an on-call shift are not required to be made up.

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For example, if a resident works seven hours of ordinary duties before an on-call shift, they may perform up to ten hours on call, but must then rest for at least 12 hours before returning to duty. The MIR Spain Association (AME) has rejected the reform, arguing it erodes purchasing power and was rushed before the 29th November general election. The group plans to demand its repeal if a new government takes office.

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*Sources:* [*VilaWeb*](https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/metges-catalunya-positiva-reduccio-jornades-guardia-mir-17-hores/?ref=barna.news)*,* [*Ara*](https://en.ara.cat/society/health-limits-resident-doctors-shifts-to-maximum-of-17-hours%5F1%5F5899054.html?ref=barna.news)*.*

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