Key data
| Regulation | Royal Decree 632/2026, of July 29 |
|---|---|
| Modified regulation | Royal Decree 1851/2009, of December 4 (pathology annex) |
| Publication in BOE | July 30, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 31, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Workers with disability ≥45% with any of the pathologies in the updated annex |
| New pathologies incorporated | 11 |
| Category | Social Security — Early retirement |
| Year | 2026 |
From July 31, 2026, eleven diseases that were not previously listed in the official list now allow workers who suffer from them to retire early, provided they have a disability grade equal to or greater than 45%. The Royal Decree 632/2026, published in the BOE on July 30, modifies the annex of Royal Decree 1851/2009, which is the regulation that develops the early retirement regime for disability in the Social Security system.
The change is relevant both for the affected workers themselves and for HR departments and labor advisors: there are employees who now have a right that did not exist before, and action must be taken.
What does this regulation establish?
RD 632/2026 expands the list of pathologies in the annex of RD 1851/2009. Until now, only diseases listed in that annex allowed access to early retirement for disability. With this reform, eleven new pathologies are added, one existing category is expanded, and a new category is created.
The 11 new diseases incorporated into the annex
| Disease | Observations |
|---|---|
| Transthyretin amyloidosis variant | New incorporation |
| Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Steinert disease) | New incorporation |
| Huntington's disease | New incorporation |
| Spina bifida | New incorporation |
| Parkinson's disease | New incorporation |
| Corticobasal degeneration | New incorporation |
| Multiple system atrophy | New incorporation |
| Progressive supranuclear palsy | New incorporation |
| Systemic sclerosis | New incorporation |
| Chronic kidney disease stage G5 | New incorporation |
| Spinal cord injury of non-traumatic etiology | Expansion of existing category (previously only traumatic) |
Structural changes in the annex
- Expansion of the "spinal cord injury" category: until now it only covered traumatic etiology. From July 31, 2026, it also includes non-traumatic etiology.
- New "systemic diseases" category: expressly created in the annex to accommodate systemic pathologies, such as systemic sclerosis.
Before / After comparison
| Aspect | Before RD 632/2026 | From 31/07/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Enabling pathologies | Those in the original annex of RD 1851/2009 | Annex expanded with 11 new pathologies |
| Spinal cord injury | Only traumatic etiology | Traumatic and non-traumatic |
| "Systemic diseases" category | Did not exist | Expressly created |
| Temporal application | — | Causative facts after 31/07/2026 |
Important: the regulation applies to causative facts after its entry into force (July 31, 2026). Applications before that date are governed by the previous annex.
Economic and operational impact
For companies, the most immediate impact is the possible early departure of workers who until now did not have access to this option. This can affect workforce planning, coverage of specialized positions, and succession processes.
From the worker's perspective, early retirement for disability allows access to the pension before the ordinary retirement age without the usual reduction coefficients, which represents a significant economic improvement compared to other early retirement modalities.
For HR departments, the novelty involves reviewing the files of workers with recognized disability and assessing whether any of the eleven new pathologies is present, to proactively inform those affected of their new right.
Who does it affect?
- Workers with disability ≥45% who suffer from any of the pathologies in the updated annex (including the 11 new ones).
- HR departments and labor advisors of companies with employees in this situation, who must review files and communicate the new right.
- Social Security managers and advisors who process early retirement applications for disability.
- CFOs and operations directors in sectors with high presence of workers with recognized disability (special employment centers, industry, healthcare, services).
- Mutual insurance companies and prevention services that manage the accreditation of disability grades.
Practical example
A 58-year-old worker with diagnosed Parkinson's disease and a recognized disability grade of 50% could not benefit from early retirement for disability before July 31, 2026, because Parkinson's was not listed in the annex of RD 1851/2009.
From that date, Parkinson's is expressly included in the updated annex. This worker can now apply for early retirement with Social Security, proving: (1) a disability grade ≥45% through the official certificate, and (2) that their pathology is listed in the annex of RD 1851/2009 in its version effective from 31/07/2026.
The same scenario applies to workers with Huntington's disease, myotonic dystrophy type 1, chronic kidney disease in stage G5, or any of the other nine incorporated pathologies.
What should companies do now?
- Review the workforce: identify all workers with a recognized disability grade equal to or greater than 45%, regardless of their current age.
- Cross-reference with the pathology list: check if any of those workers suffer from any of the 11 new diseases incorporated into the annex (Parkinson's, Huntington's, spina bifida, transthyretin amyloidosis variant, myotonic dystrophy type 1, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, systemic sclerosis, chronic kidney disease stage G5, or non-traumatic spinal cord injury).
- Inform those affected: communicate to workers who meet the requirements that from July 31, 2026, they have access to early retirement for disability. This communication may be relevant for the employee's personal planning.
- Prepare documentation: the worker must prove to Social Security the disability grade (official certificate) and that their pathology is listed in the updated annex of RD 1851/2009.
- Plan position coverage: if a worker decides to apply for early retirement, start the replacement or function redistribution process in advance to avoid operational impacts.
- Consult with a labor advisor or Social Security manager: to verify compliance with all specific requirements of each case before submitting the application.
Frequently asked questions
What diseases allow early retirement with disability from July 2026?
RD 632/2026 incorporates 11 new pathologies into the annex of RD 1851/2009: transthyretin amyloidosis variant, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Steinert), Huntington's disease, spina bifida, Parkinson's, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, systemic sclerosis, chronic kidney disease stage G5, and spinal cord injury of non-traumatic etiology. Additionally, the "systemic diseases" category is created in the annex.
What is the minimum disability grade to access early retirement for these pathologies?
The required disability grade is equal to or greater than 45%, as established by RD 1851/2009 and maintained by RD 632/2026. It must be officially recognized through the disability certificate issued by the competent body of the autonomous community.
From when can early retirement be requested with the new diseases?
From July 31, 2026, the date RD 632/2026 enters into force. The regulation applies to causative facts after that date, so applications submitted before July 31 are governed by the previous annex, which did not include these 11 pathologies.
What documentation must be submitted to Social Security to request this early retirement?
The worker must prove two conditions: (1) a disability grade equal to or greater than 45%, through the official disability certificate, and (2) that their pathology is listed in the updated annex of RD 1851/2009 (in its version effective from 31/07/2026). The application is processed with the National Social Security Institute (INSS).
Does this regulation affect workers with spinal cord injury of non-traumatic cause?
Yes. RD 632/2026 expressly expands the "spinal cord injury" category in the annex to include both traumatic etiology (which was already covered) and non-traumatic etiology (which is now incorporated). This means that workers with spinal cord injury from non-accidental causes—such as degenerative or vascular diseases—can also access early retirement if they prove a disability grade ≥45%.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source (BOE-A-2026-16548)
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-2026-16548