Conservation and Restoration Civil Service Exams 2026: new 20-day deadline for Fine Arts Graduates

Key data

Fine Arts Graduates with specialization or track in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage have a window of opportunity that did not exist a week ago. A court order from the Madrid Court of First Instance ordered the Ministry of Culture to allow their provisional participation in the selective process announced on July 7, 2026, from which they were initially excluded because their qualification was not recognized in the bases.

In compliance with that judicial ruling, the Undersecretary published on August 21, 2026 the opening of an extraordinary deadline of 20 business days, beginning August 22, 2026, exclusive to those who can prove one of these two qualifications.

What does this regulation establish?

The original call for the selective process (Resolution of July 7, 2026) did not include among the enabled qualifications the Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with specialization or track in Conservation and Restoration. Several applicants with that qualification filed lawsuits and obtained a precautionary court order from the Madrid Court of First Instance ordering their provisional admission.

The Resolution of August 19, 2026 executes that order and establishes the following conditions:

• An extraordinary deadline of 20 business days is opened starting August 22, 2026, exclusive to applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with specialization or track in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.
• The application must be processed mandatorily through electronic means using form 790.
• Other candidates already registered in the selective process need not take any additional action.
• The measure has precautionary and provisional character, pending final ruling in ordinary precautionary proceedings. This means the situation could change if the court rules otherwise.
• The general selective process is not interrupted: it continues its normal course for other applicants.

The selective process is for admission as permanent labor personnel in Professional Group M2, specialty Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, through free access and internal promotion systems.

Economic and operational impact

For affected applicants, the impact is direct: without this judicial ruling, they would be completely excluded from the selective process. Now they have 20 business days to submit their application and participate provisionally.

However, there is a relevant risk that should be considered before acting:

• Admission is provisional. If the ordinary precautionary proceedings are resolved against them, applicants admitted through this route could be excluded from the process at a later stage, even after having taken tests.
• The general process does not stop. Other candidates continue advancing in the selective process while the judicial matter is resolved, which can create asymmetry in the timeline.
• Processing is exclusively electronic using form 790. Paper applications or other channels are not accepted.

From an operational standpoint, the 20 business day deadline is sufficient to prepare and submit documentation, but the decision should not be delayed given the extraordinary nature of the deadline.

Who does it affect?

This resolution affects exclusively and directly:

• Persons who hold a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with specialization in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and were unable to register in the original July 7, 2026 call because their qualification was excluded.
• Persons who hold a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with track in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, under the same conditions.

It does not affect:

• Candidates already registered in the selective process with other qualifications enabled in the original call.
• Applicants with qualifications other than the two mentioned.
• The general development of the selective process for other participants.

Practical example

Imagine a professional who obtained a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid with a track in Conservation and Restoration. When the July 7, 2026 call was published, they found that their qualification was not among those enabled and could not register.

After the court order and publication of this resolution on August 21, 2026, that applicant has 20 business days starting August 22 to access the Ministry of Culture's electronic office, complete form 790, and submit their provisional participation application.

They should keep in mind that their admission is precautionary: if the court rules definitively against them in the ordinary precautionary proceedings, they could be excluded from the process. This is a decision each applicant must make knowing that risk.

What should applicants do now?

1. Verify the qualification: Confirm that you hold a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with specialization or track in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage. Only these two qualifications are enabled by the extraordinary deadline.
2. Act within the deadline: The 20 business day deadline begins August 22, 2026. Do not wait until the last moment given the extraordinary nature and possible saturation of the electronic office.
3. Process exclusively through electronic means: Access the Ministry of Culture's electronic office and complete form 790. No other channel is accepted.
4. Assess the precautionary risk: Admission is provisional. Consult with a legal advisor if you have doubts about the implications of participating under precautionary measure before the ordinary precautionary proceedings are resolved.
5. Candidates already registered: If you already submitted an application during the ordinary deadline of the July 7, 2026 call, no additional action is necessary.

Official source

View complete regulation in official source (BOE-A-2026-17996)

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-17996