Lorraine Williamson
For decades, many people living in Spain believed they were permanently barred from giving blood because they had lived in the UK during a specific period. That belief was rooted in real policy — but in 2025, Spain quietly changed the rules.
The result is significant. Thousands of long-term residents who were once automatically refused may now be eligible to donate again.
Why UK residence once blocked blood donation
The restriction dates back to the BSE crisis
Under those rules, anyone who had lived in the UK for a cumulative period (often 12 months or more) between 1980 and 1996 was typically excluded from donating blood in Spain.
It wasn’t about nationality. It was about historical exposure risk, and Spain followed the same conservative approach adopted by many other countries.
What changed — and why it matters now
In 2025, Spain’s national donor criteria were updated following scientific review and risk reassessment. The long-standing exclusion linked solely to UK residence during the BSE years was removed.
That decision was adopted at the national level under guidance from Ministerio de Sanidad, meaning it applies across Spain, not just in certain regions.
In practical terms, this means that previous UK residence during the 1980–1996 period is no longer an automatic disqualification for blood donation in Spain.
Who can donate now — and who still can’t
The rule change does not
Standard eligibility rules still apply nationwide, including:
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Minimum age and weight requirements
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Good general health at the time of donation
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No disqualifying medical conditions
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Compliance with routine screening questions
Temporary deferrals — for example, after certain illnesses, infections, recent travel, tattoos, or procedures — are assessed in the usual way.
The key difference is this: l
Why confusion still persists
Despite the national change, many people are still told — or assume — that they are not eligible. That’s largely because:
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Older guidance remains online
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Some donor FAQs have not been updated
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Word-of-mouth information lags behind policy
As a result, people who were once turned away may never have tried again.
Health authorities now encourage donors to rely on current questionnaires and official guidance, not historic advice.
A question many readers ask
Can I donate blood in Spain if I lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996?
In most cases, yes
Why this matters for Spain’s health system
Blood services across Spain repeatedly stress the same message: demand is constant, but donor numbers fluctuate. Lifting a restriction that affected a large, willing donor group helps stabilise supply — particularly in areas with high numbers of long-term international residents.
For many people, it also removes a quiet frustration: the feeling of being permanently excluded despite being healthy and willing to help.
Why emergencies expose the pressure on blood supplies
In the days following the deadly Adamuz train crash
The episode underlined a wider reality: Spain’s hospitals need blood every single day — not only after disasters, but for routine operations, cancer treatment, childbirth complications, and long-term care. Emergencies may trigger headlines, but the demand never stops.
What to do if you were refused years ago
If you were turned away in the past because of UK residence:
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Check the current national donor criteria
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Answer the donor questionnaire as it stands today
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If unsure, ask the donation centre to confirm eligibility under the updated national rules
For many, the answer will now be different.
Why this update deserves attention
This wasn’t a headline-grabbing reform. It arrived through technical updates rather than public campaigns. But its impact is real.
A door that was closed for decades has reopened — quietly, nationally, and with meaningful consequences for Spain’s blood supply.
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