More than 5,600 officers of Spain’s Guardia Civil are currently on medical leave, representing 7% of the force’s total workforce. This concerning statistic, revealed in a parliamentary inquiry by the Ministry of Interior, highlights that 63% of these medical absences are due to trauma-related injuries or psychiatric conditions.
With 80,835 officers spread across more than 6,160 units in Spain, the high number of medical leaves is raising concerns about both the physical and mental health challenges faced by officers.
Psychological support and external medical oversight
In response to the increasing number of absences, the Guardia Civil launched several initiatives to manage the situation. Last year, the organisation began working with private healthcare providers to monitor and control medical leaves, particularly those lasting more than ten days. This service, which will cost the organisation €2.4 million over two years, aims to address the shortage of in-house medical professionals. Currently, the Guardia Civil has only 32 doctors in its ranks, with no medical staff in 30 out of 52 provinces. The shortage has made it difficult to adequately manage officers’ health conditions and ensure timely recovery and return to work.
In a further attempt to address mental health issues, the Guardia Civil introduced a psychological support programme in July 2024. This service, provided by ASPY & Yees!, offers officers up to 20 free, confidential sessions annually to support their mental well-being. The service is available both in-person and online in major cities and across 117 municipalities.
High absenteeism in the Canary Islands
Madrid, with the largest number of assigned officers, currently has 459 officers on medical leave, but the Canary Islands show particularly high rates of absenteeism. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 12% of the force is on medical leave, while in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, that figure rises to 13.3%. Union sources have pointed to the heavy workload caused by increased migration pressures in the region as a key factor contributing to the high rate of absenteeism.
The Guardia Civil aims to tackle these medical absences more effectively by prioritising monitoring and reducing the duration of leaves.