General Strike 11-N 2026: minimum services at gas stations and gas at 20%

Key data

On November 11, 2026 there is a general strike in Spain. The Order TED/1179/2026 sets the rules for the energy sector: which facilities must remain open, which personnel cannot join the strike and which companies have specific obligations that day. If you manage a gas station, operate gas infrastructure or work in a refinery, this regulation directly affects you.

What does this regulation establish?

Order TED/1179/2026 responds to the call for a general strike on November 11, 2026 by Spain's main unions. Its objective is to guarantee minimum energy supply during the strike. It establishes differentiated obligations depending on the type of facility:

The criterion for determining which gas stations open is based on the Fuel Supply Facilities Census, applying the 20% threshold at the regional level. This means that territorial distribution matters: it is not a 20% national figure, but 20% in each region.

Personnel designated to cover minimum services who decide to join the strike incur illegality under Royal Decree-Law 17/1977. The regulation does not set specific economic sanctions in its text, but the classification of illegality has direct disciplinary and labor consequences.

Economic and operational impact

For gas station operators, the main impact is organizational: they must identify which stations in their network must open and designate the personnel who will cover them. An operator with 10 gas stations in a region must ensure that at least 2 remain operational that day.

For large energy infrastructures, the impact is greater: the obligation of total maintenance means that practically all critical technical personnel are excluded from exercising the right to strike. Companies such as Enagás (natural gas transport and regasification) and Repsol Butano (distribution) have total continuity obligations in their critical facilities.

In refineries, the obligation to "guarantee the safety of people and the environment" implies keeping control, emergency and waste management systems operational, regardless of the level of strike participation.

Fuel operators in ports and airports are also subject to minimum services, which affects the supply of fuel for aviation and maritime transport during the day.

Who does it affect?

• Service station operators (gas stations): required to keep at least 20% of their facilities open per region.
• Enagás: as operator of the natural gas transport system, regasification plants, underground storage and international connections, must maintain complete operability.
• Repsol Butano: affected in its gas distribution activity.
• Fuel operators in ports and airports: must guarantee minimum fuel supply at these strategic infrastructures.
• Refineries: required to maintain safety systems for people and the environment.
• Workers designated for minimum services: cannot join the strike without incurring illegality under RDL 17/1977.
• Companies with vehicle fleets or fuel supply dependency: must plan refueling before or after 11-N.

Practical example

Imagine a distribution company that operates 15 gas stations spread across 3 regions (5 per region). Order TED/1179/2026 requires it to have at least 1 station per region operational (20% of 5 is 1). It must:

1. Identify, before 11-N, which of the 5 gas stations in each region will cover the minimum service.
2. Formally designate the personnel who will attend those 3 stations.
3. Communicate to that personnel that their designation is binding: if they join the strike, they incur illegality under RDL 17/1977.
4. Inform workers at the remaining stations that they can freely exercise their right to strike.

In the case of Enagás, as operator of critical infrastructure (transport, regasification, underground storage and international connections), the obligation is total maintenance: practically all operational technical personnel are designated for minimum services that day.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the Fuel Supply Facilities Census to calculate how many stations in your region must remain open (minimum 20% per region).
2. Formally designate the personnel who will cover minimum services before November 11. The designation must be communicated in writing.
3. Inform designated personnel that their participation in the strike that day constitutes illegality under RDL 17/1977, with the disciplinary consequences that entails.
4. If you operate critical gas infrastructure (transport, distribution, regasification, underground storage, international connections): plan total operability for 11-N, without exceptions.
5. If you manage a refinery: ensure that safety systems for people and the environment are covered with designated personnel.
6. If you operate in ports or airports: coordinate with the port or airport authority the level of minimum service required for fuel supply.
7. Communicate with your labor advisor the situation to properly manage payroll, strike records and possible incidents on the day.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is purely informational in nature 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-2026-23370