El The Ministry of Health has already set a date for the start of the selection and awarding process. of Specialized Health Training (FSE) positions in the 2025/2026 call. The process, highly anticipated by thousands of applicants who passed the selection testsIt will begin in stages from April 23rd and will combine electronic processing with the in-person option at the Ministry's headquarters in Madrid.
This means that, after the publication of final order of applicants and available placesThe crucial phase begins, in which each candidate will choose their specialty and center according to their ranking. The procedure maintains the same system as previous years: allocation based strictly on score, very specific deadlines for submitting the application, and the warning that, once a place is assigned, the choice is final and cannot be changed.
General timetable for the ESF allocation 2025/2026
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the The allocation of places for Specialized Health Training will begin on April 23, 2026, with a calendar differentiated by degree and a progressive development that will extend until the end of May in the case of Medicine.
The distribution of start dates for the award is as follows, following the same structure in all official information disseminated:
- April 23: start of the awarding process for Pharmacy, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
- 24 from April to 30: allocation shift for Nursing (EIR).
- From May 4 to 27: allocation period for Medicine (MIR).
In the specific case of Medicine, the Administration has detailed that The election sessions will be organized in several daily calls.with groups of applicants limited by order number, until all available places are filled. The scheme replicates the model used in recent calls for applications, alternating morning and afternoon shifts and maintaining the process until May 27.
For degrees in Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, and Hospital Radiophysics, the bulk of the The squares will be concentrated on the day of April 23rdNursing will distribute its allocation over a week, until April 30, to accommodate the more than two thousand places planned.
Deadlines for submitting the electronic application
One of the aspects that most interests applicants is the margin for submit and modify the application for choice of places electronicallyThe Ministry of Health has set specific time windows for each group of qualifications, with a common pattern: the deadline opens a few days before the start of the allocation and closes right at the moment the session corresponding to the candidate's order number begins.
The electronic processing deadlines set by the Ministry are as follows:
- Pharmacy, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology and Physics: from 10:00 a.m. on April 21st until the day and time of the assigned shift for choosing a place.
- Nursing: from 10:00 a.m. on April 21 until the start of the session corresponding to the order number of each applicant.
- Reproductive: from 10:00 on April 28, 2026 until the assigned shift for choosing a place begins.
During that interval, candidates will be able to submit your list of preferences and modify it as many times as you deem appropriate.This applies until the moment the allocation session begins. From that point on, the latest registered version will be used to assign a place.
The health authorities insist that, although it is possible to attend in person later, It is strongly recommended to use the electronic method. as the main channel, both to expedite the procedure and to avoid unnecessary travel and possible last-minute incidents.
Participation options: electronic and in-person
The procedure maintains a mixed model that allows applicants choose between online processing or in-person appearance at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Madrid. This dual approach is presented as a way to accommodate different personal situations and reduce the risk of excluding candidates due to technical problems.
Specifically, the regulations of the call for applications state that the Application for allocation of a place can be made:
- Electronically, through the platform enabled by the Ministry.
- In person, appearing at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health in Madrid.
- Through a duly accredited representative, acting on behalf of the applicant.
The Administration emphasizes that the online modality It allows for more flexible managementThis is because it can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, and the list of preferences can be adjusted until the start of the assigned session. However, those who choose to attend in person also have the option of submitting their choices at the event itself.
In all cases, the key is to respect the deadlines set for each degree and shiftsince the system understands that those who have not submitted an application in a timely manner waive their right to exercise their priority in the election.
Award criteria and permanent nature of the position
The Ministry maintains the basic principle of the Specialized Health Training system unchanged: Places are awarded strictly in order of scoreThis is based on the ranking obtained in the selection process. This applies equally to all qualifications (MIR, EIR and other FSE specialties).
The rule is clear on two fundamental points:
- Give up priorityThose who do not submit an application within the established timeframe, either electronically or in person, will be considered to have waived their priority.
- Permanent positionOnce a place is awarded to an applicant, the assignment is final and cannot be modified or replaced by another, even if there is subsequent availability.
This scheme forces candidates to plan your list of preferences calmlyTaking into account their actual chances based on their order number and the anticipated evolution of the allocation process, it is also essential to pay close attention to the schedule and the exact closing time of their shift to avoid accidentally missing the opportunity to choose.
In practice, this means that each applicant must arrive at their session with a well thought-out choice strategy, considering different combinations of specialty and center, in case your first choices run out before your turn on the list.
Pre-appointment medical examination and requirements prior to taking office
Once the allocation phase is over and the places have been assigned, the next step for the new residents will be contact with the teaching committee or teaching unit This procedure must be carried out on the next business day following the awarding of the position.
The objective of that first contact is schedule the pre-inauguration medical examination, a mandatory review that seeks to verify that the prospective resident does not suffer from any illness or physical, mental, sensory or functional limitation that may be incompatible with the activities required by the training program of the chosen specialty.
This medical examination, which takes place at the center or unit where the residency will be carried out, involves a a guarantee for both the professional in training and the healthcare system itself, as it allows for the detection of possible situations that require adaptations or, where appropriate, the assessment of the suitability of the position.
The Health Department reminds everyone that this step is part of the standard procedure and that It is essential to complete it before formalizing the effective incorporation to the assigned position. Therefore, it is recommended not to delay contacting the teaching unit to coordinate dates and avoid overlaps with other administrative procedures.
Dates of taking possession and start of the training period
Regarding the integration schedule, the Ministry has established a common framework for all FSE qualifications. The appointments will be made between June 4th and 5th, 2026, with a slight adaptation in those autonomous communities where the 4th is a public holiday.
In those territories, the incorporation period will be adjusted to the days 3 5 and Juneso as to guarantee a margin equivalent to that of the other regions. In any case, the specific instructions on schedules and necessary documentation They are usually channeled through the teaching committees and personnel services of each center.
El The official start of the training period is scheduled for June 5, 2026. for all residents, regardless of their entry qualification. From that date, new MIRs, EIRs and other residents will be integrated into their teaching units, combining supervised clinical activity and theoretical training.
This coordinated launch of the training program allows healthcare centers organize the reception and teaching planning in a homogeneous manner, and that residents begin their career with a similar schedule, which also facilitates the management of courses, on-call shifts and initial rotations.
Second extraordinary allocation of FSE places
In addition to the ordinary process, the Ministry of Health has planned a second allocation of places through an extraordinary procedure, aimed at filling any vacancies that may remain unassigned once the first phase has ended and the taking of office has been completed.
This second round will be convened in the weeks following joining and will be formalized through a specific resolution from the relevant Directorate General, which will be published on the Ministry of Health's website. This resolution will detail both the number of available places and the rules for participation.
They will be summoned, according to their qualifications, the applicants who have achieved the minimum required score and have an order numberexcluding those who have not taken up a previously assigned position within the established timeframe or who have submitted an express resignation.
In this extraordinary phase, the following may be requested:
- Places that were not awarded in the ordinary process.
- Positions that have become available due to resignations or failure of those who initially obtained them to take up their posts.
The resolution of this second award will include the Complete list of vacant positions, the allocation system and the deadlines for taking possession, with the aim of ensuring a transparent and orderly process that maximizes the coverage of specialized healthcare training positions throughout the territory.
Information and follow-up of the process for applicants
The entire procedure for selecting and allocating ESF places will rely heavily on the Ministry of Health's online channels, especially on the website dedicated to Specialized Health Training, where resolutions, final lists and any relevant updates will be published.
Applicants should keep an eye on this portal for Consult both the detailed schedule by shifts and any changes that may occur during the allocation weeks. Experience from previous calls has shown that daily monitoring of official information is key to adjusting placement preferences based on the evolution of the selection process.
In parallel, the teaching committees and teaching units themselves often offer Practical guidance on incorporation, required documentation and initial organization of the residence, so it is advisable to use their communication channels once the allocation has been confirmed.
With this schedule now defined and the mixed selection model confirmed, the Specialized Health Training process for the 2025/2026 call enters its decisive phase: the choice of placement and specialty which will shape the professional careers of thousands of healthcare graduates in Spain in the coming years, with a system based on the score obtained, strict deadlines and an extraordinary second opportunity to take advantage of all available vacancies.
