Published in: P. Taylor-Gooby (ed.), New Risks, New Welfare: The Transformation of the European Welfare State, 133-157, Oxford University Press, 2004The Spanish welfare state belongs to the Mediterranean regime. As in other Southern European countries, Spain’s single most characteristic trait is the crucial role played by the family as an institution of welfare production and distribution of income and services. A strong household micro-solidarity, manifested in intra-familial pooling of resources and mutual support and care between family members, has allowed high levels of citizens’ well-being. The self-reliance of families has traditionally been taken for granted by governments in matters of social care and material support. Family transformations -and within these the changing roles of women- are the main topics of this chapter and serve as the basis for assessing the impact of old and new social risks on Spanish welfare policy.Peer reviewed