Psychologists of Penitentiary Institutions: appointments as career civil servants in 2026

Key data

The psychologists who completed the temporary employment stabilization process of the Senior Body of Technicians of Penitentiary Institutions consolidate their position as career civil servants as of 15 October 2026. The Resolution of 8 October 2026 from the State Secretariat for Civil Service formalizes this appointment and immediately activates the deadlines for taking office.

The process originates from the call in November 2024. Those approved had already been appointed as trainee civil servants in June 2025, thus completing the process that now culminates in the full acquisition of career civil servant status.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution formalizes the appointment as career civil servants of the applicants who passed the selective process for temporary stabilization in the specialty of Psychologists of the Senior Body of Technicians of Penitentiary Institutions. The key points are:

• Compliance with the Constitution: new civil servants must take an oath or make a promise to uphold the Spanish Constitution, a prerequisite for taking office.
• Deadline for taking office: 15 calendar days counted from the day following publication in the BOE (15 October 2026).
• Extension of the deadline: if the assigned position involves change of residence, the deadline is extended to one calendar month.
• Special case of disability: an applicant requested alteration of the order of precedence due to disability. The resolution denies this request due to insufficient evidence.
• Exhaustion of administrative remedy: the resolution ends the administrative remedy. Interested parties who disagree may file a motion for reconsideration within one month, or an administrative contentious appeal before the National Court within two months, both counted from publication in the BOE.

Economic and operational impact

For the psychologists affected, consolidation of the position as a career civil servant means full job stability: access to seniority bonuses, career advancement, pension rights and protection against dismissal except for disciplinary or legal causes.

For the Penitentiary Administration, this appointment closes the stabilization cycle initiated in 2024, reducing temporary employment in a sensitive technical specialty. The provision of permanent positions in penitentiary psychology strengthens the continuity of intervention and treatment programs in the facilities.

From an operational perspective, the penitentiary facilities of destination must manage the effective incorporation of these professionals within the established deadlines, coordinating the taking of office and any management of changes of residence.

Who does it affect?

• Psychologists approved in the selective process for temporary employment stabilization of the Senior Body of Technicians of Penitentiary Institutions, specialty Psychologists, called in November 2024.
• Applicant with disability who requested alteration of the order of precedence: affected by the express denial contained in the resolution, with possibility of appeal.
• Penitentiary facility management that must manage the incorporation and taking of office of the new career civil servants.
• Human Resources Services of Penitentiary Institutions, responsible for processing the taking of office within the deadline.
• Labor and legal advisors who assist those affected in managing appeals or processing change of residence.

Practical example

A psychologist who passed the selective stabilization process and was appointed as a trainee civil servant in June 2025 now receives her definitive appointment as a career civil servant with effect from 15 October 2026. Her assigned position is in a penitentiary facility located in a different province from her current residence.

In this case, the extended deadline applies: she has one calendar month (until approximately 15 November 2026) to take office. During this time she must formalize compliance with the Constitution and manage the change of residence. If she does not take office within this deadline without justified cause, she could lose the right to the appointment.

If, on the other hand, she considered that the order of precedence had not been applied correctly, she has one month to file a motion for reconsideration with the State Secretariat for Civil Service, or two months to go directly to the National Court.

What should those affected do now?

1. Verify inclusion in the resolution: check in the BOE of 15 October 2026 that your name appears in the list of those appointed as career civil servants.
2. Calculate the deadline for taking office: 15 calendar days from 15/10/2026 if there is no change of residence; one month if the position involves change of residence.
3. Formalize compliance with the Constitution: a prerequisite and essential requirement before effective taking of office.
4. Manage change of residence if applicable: initiate administrative and personal procedures as early as possible to avoid compromising the deadline.
5. Review the denial of alteration of precedence (if applicable): the applicant with disability whose request was denied should assess with a legal advisor whether to file a motion for reconsideration (deadline: 1 month) or an administrative contentious appeal before the National Court (deadline: 2 months), both from 15 October 2026.
6. Coordinate with the destination facility: the HR services of the destination penitentiary facility must prepare the taking of office documentation and confirm the date of effective incorporation.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source (BOE-A-2026-21460)

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-2026-21460