Overview

• The Council of Ministers approved a reform that makes positive reports from ANECA or regional quality agencies preceptive and binding, so unfavorable assessments block new universities.
• New providers must reach 4,500 students within six years, offer at least 10 bachelor’s, 6 master’s and 3 PhD programs across three fields, and ensure at least half of faculty hold doctorates with research merits phased in.
• Promoters must present a financial guarantee equal to the institution’s third‑year budget, allocate 5% of spending to research, secure 2% of budget via competitive funds, and provide student housing equivalent to 10% of enrollment targets.
• Fully online universities of new creation are reclassified as state‑scope institutions whose recognition requires approval by the Cortes Generales, with exceptions for existing, co‑official language or publicly funded projects.
• Economy, Labour and the CNMC have raised objections to clauses reported in the text, including a residency requirement for online faculty, and several autonomous communities oppose aspects of the reform, while campuses created since 2021 get adaptation periods.