Although the political debate on social protection in Spain is mainly related to the future of the public pension system a growing interest on social protection of dependency has taken place from the last ten years such as scientific as political debate. Firstly we try here to describe the social phenomenon of dependency in Spain and its main characteristics. Secondly, we analyse present political and scientific debates on how to manage the long-term care programmes. Thirdly, we describe the present policies and programmes that are answering the social problem of dependency. Finally, we will tentatively point out some tendencies concerning long-term care policies.