The present article reviews legal coverage in Spain and the European Community of the European Letter of Patients' Rights (Letter of Rome) and the Patients' Decalogue of the Barcelona Declaration. Both these documents were drawn up by patients' and citizens' associations and mainly reflect on compliance with these rights in primary care. We review rights related to patient information and autonomy, medical care, and the social role of patients, as well as other rights such as the right to privacy, to respect of patients' time and to compensation, and the guarantee that all these rights will be respected. In conclusion, legal coverage of the rights demanded by citizens is acceptable. In this regard the Basic Law of Patient Autonomy and the Law of Cohesion and Quality of the Health System have been major landmarks. This review reveals numerous areas that could be improved in primary care, concerning communication with society, medical practice, and organization of services.
