INSS Physicians Civil Service Competition 2026: requirements, merits and key deadlines

Key data

Career physician civil servants of Subgroup A1 serving the General State Administration (AGE) are facing a call that, for some, is not optional: the INSS has published a specific merit-based competition to fill vacant positions, and those in provisional assignment or in expectation of posting are required to compete if their position appears in the call. The resolution, signed on 30 October 2026 and published in the BOE on 10 November 2026 (BOE-A-2026-23548), establishes the complete procedure: from participation requirements to merit evaluation.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution convenes a specific merit-based competition for the provision of vacant job positions at the INSS, reserved exclusively for career civil servants of the Subgroup A1 with qualification in Medicine. The essential aspects of the procedure are as follows:

The competition distinguishes between general merits (common to all AGE competitions) and specific merits (specific to the profile of the position convened). Both must be accredited through certificates issued by competent bodies, not through the candidate's own declaration.

The resolution expressly incorporates the principles of the IV Equality Plan of the AGE, which means that the evaluation and selection process must respect gender equality criteria in all its phases.

Economic and operational impact

This competition does not generate direct costs for private companies, but it does have relevant operational consequences for the physician civil servants affected and for the INSS units that manage human resources:

• Potential forced mobility: Civil servants in provisional assignment or in expectation of posting who do not participate when required may see their administrative situation compromised.
• Certificate management: Merit accreditation requires obtaining certificates from competent bodies, which involves management time and coordination with different administrative units.
• 100% digital processing: The application through the Funciona Portal with an electronic certificate eliminates the possibility of in-person or paper submission, which requires the civil servant to have their digital certificate operational.
• HR planning at the INSS: The resolution allows the INSS to fill vacant physician positions, improving the operational capacity of its territorial units.

Who does it affect?

• Career civil servants of Subgroup A1 with qualification in Medicine serving the AGE who meet the minimum permanence requirement of 2 years in their permanent position.
• Civil servants in provisional assignment whose position appears in the call: mandatory participation.
• Civil servants in expectation of posting whose position appears in the call: mandatory participation.
• INSS HR units responsible for managing the process, validating merits and resolving the competition.
• Competent bodies of the AGE that must issue the merit certificates requested by participants.

It does not affect civil servants from other subgroups (A2, B, C1, C2), nor to staff personnel, nor to physicians providing services outside the scope of the AGE.

Practical example

A career physician civil servant of Subgroup A1 who has been three years in their permanent position at a Provincial Directorate of the INSS receives notification that their position appears in the call. Since they are not in provisional assignment or in expectation of posting, their participation is voluntary: they can opt for a higher-level position or in a preferred location, providing their general merits (seniority, training, accredited courses) and specific merits (experience in the type of position convened), all of them certified by competent bodies.

On the other hand, if that same physician were in provisional assignment in that position, their participation would be mandatory: they would have to submit an application through the Funciona Portal with their electronic certificate, provide merit documentation and compete to obtain a permanent position. Failing to do so could have consequences for their administrative situation.

What should affected civil servants do now?

1. Check if the position is convened: Review the list of positions included in the call published in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-23548) to find out if the current position or one of interest appears in it.
2. Verify your own administrative situation: Determine if you are in provisional assignment or in expectation of posting, since in that case participation is mandatory.
3. Check the seniority requirement: Confirm that you have been at least 2 years in your current permanent position, or identify if you are in one of the exceptions provided.
4. Activate your electronic certificate: Make sure your electronic certificate is current and operational to be able to access the Funciona Portal and submit your application.
5. Request merit certificates: Contact the competent bodies to obtain the certificates that accredit both general and specific merits. This step can take time, so it is advisable to start it as soon as possible.
6. Submit the application electronically: Access the Funciona Portal with your electronic certificate and complete the application within the deadline established in the call.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

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-2026-23548