Table of Contents
What is required to set up a psychology practice in Spain
2. Master’s degree in General Health Psychology (MPGS).
Registration with the professional body
Must be registered as self-employed with Social Security
General Register of Healthcare Centres, Establishments and Services (REGCESS)
Licences and permits to open a practice
The journey to becoming a psychologist and opening your own practice is exciting, but it also requires careful planning and compliance with a number of legal requirements.
It is not enough simply to have the vocation and the right training; it is also essential to be familiar with and comply with current regulations in order to practise your profession legally and ethically.
In this article, we’ll guide you through all the necessary steps so that you can open your psychology practice with complete confidence and peace of mind. We’ll cover everything from the essential educational requirements to the licences and permits you need to obtain, as well as the legal obligations you must fulfil.
What is needed to set up a psychology practice in Spain
Opening a psychology practice in Spain involves meeting a series of requirements that fall mainly into two categories: educational requirements and legal requirements. Both are equally important to ensure that you provide a high-quality service within the established legal framework.
Educational requirements
The first step towards becoming a psychologist and opening your own practice is to obtain the necessary academic qualifications. In Spain, this involves:
1. A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. You must complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or an online Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This degree will provide you with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of psychology, the different areas of specialisation and the skills required for the assessment and treatment of psychological problems.
2. Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology (MPGS). Once you have completed the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, you must undertake the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology (MPGS). This two-year master’s degree qualifies you to practise as a health psychologist, that is, to carry out psychological assessments, diagnoses and treatments. At UAX, we offer you the option of studying the Master’s degree on a full-time basis or choosing the Blended Learning Master’s in General Health Psychology.
It is important to note that, without the MPGS, you will not be able to practise as a health psychologist or open your own practice. If you wish to work in the private sector, this Master’s degree is essential. This officially recognised qualification has an impact on your day-to-day work in private practice, on the quality of the service you provide to your patients, on the overall standing of the profession, and enhances the therapeutic skills of the professional you aspire to become.
In some autonomous communities, job vacancies are being created in the public sector to meet the demand for healthcare services provided by psychologists with the MPGS qualification; it is therefore a crucial qualification and one that is increasingly in demand for any professional who has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This Master’s degree equips you with the clinical skills needed to care for patients and ensure their wellbeing, in line with current regulations. If you’d like to find out more about the role of a professional with this qualification, you can read our article on what a general health psychologist does.
Legal requirements
In addition to academic training, you must meet a number of legal requirements to open a psychology practice and practise your profession legally and ethically. These requirements include:
Being a registered member of the professional body
It is compulsory to be a registered member of the Official College of Psychology (COP) in your autonomous community in order to practise as a psychologist in Spain. Registration gives you access to the Association’s services and resources, such as continuing professional development, legal advice and the defence of your professional interests. Furthermore, you undertake to comply with the profession’s code of ethics, which guarantees the ethical standards and quality of your work.
You will also stay up to date with developments in your profession, including news on conferences, meetings, publications, legal assistance, professional or technical advice, and training grants. Furthermore, you will be able to liaise directly with other professionals through specific working groups covering a wide range of topics, which each autonomous community sets up within the professional association – it is the meeting point for psychology professionals.
Be registered as self-employed with Social Security
As a self-employed professional, you must register with the Social Security’s Special Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RETA). This involves paying a monthly contribution which entitles you to healthcare, unemployment benefit (should you cease work) and a pension.
During the first few years of registration, there are grants and reduced contributions available to help you as you take your first steps as a self-employed professional. You can find this information on the Social Security website or through the employment services of your regional government or local council.
General Register of Healthcare Centres, Establishments and Services (REGCESS)
Your psychology practice must be registered with the General Register of Healthcare Centres, Establishments and Services ( REGCESS ) in your autonomous community. This register ensures that your practice complies with the health requirements laid down by law and that it is authorised to provide health services. In order to register, one of the essential requirements is to hold the MGPS qualification.
Licences and permits required to open a practice
To open your psychology practice, you will need to obtain a number of licences and permits from your local council. These may vary depending on local regulations, but generally include:
● Opening licence. This licence authorises you to commence business at your premises. To obtain it, you must submit a technical proposal ensuring that your practice complies with safety, accessibility and health standards.
● Practice licence. This licence authorises you to practise psychology at your premises. To obtain it, you must demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements for this activity, such as academic qualifications, professional registration and public liability insurance.
This information is available on the local council’s website or through municipal services; many local councils offer resources for development plans and start-up support.
Other laws and requirements to bear in mind
In addition to the requirements mentioned above, you should be aware of other laws and regulations that may affect your work as a psychologist:
● Professional indemnity insurance. It is compulsory to take out professional indemnity insurance to cover any harm you may cause to your patients whilst practising your profession. Currently, the Official Associations of Psychologists in each autonomous community offer, as part of their range of services, agreements with insurance companies that meet the needs of psychology professionals.
● Regional regulations. Each autonomous community may have specific regulations governing the opening and operation of psychology practices. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the regulations in your region to ensure that you comply with all the requirements.
● Data Protection Act (LOPD) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As a psychologist, you handle sensitive personal data belonging to your patients. You must comply with the LOPD and the GDPR to ensure the confidentiality and security of this data. This involves informing your patients about how their data is processed, obtaining their consent and implementing security measures to protect the information. These measures are very important because they guarantee the highest level of protection for sensitive data and, in the case of minors, compliance with the LOPIVI.
● Occupational health and safety plan. This document, and the actions it entails, sets out the measures to protect the health and safety of workers. Its aim is to reduce accidents and work-related illnesses. As a psychologist, you will need to comply with the relevant regulations in force
Remember that keeping up to date with laws and regulations is crucial. You can consult official sources and seek legal advice to ensure you meet all the legal requirements for setting up a psychology practice. The Official College of Psychology offers training courses and advice to new members as part of its membership services.
At this point, if you are considering studying psychology, we recommend reading our article on what it takes to study psychology.
Psychological consultations at home – is it possible?
The idea of setting up a psychology practice at home can be appealing due to the convenience and lower initial costs. However, it is essential to carefully assess whether this option is viable and meets all the requirements for running a psychology practice from home.
In principle, there is no explicit legal ban on running a psychology practice from your home. However, you must ensure that your home meets the following requirements:
● Suitability of the space. You must have a space dedicated exclusively to the practice, which is separate from the rest of the property and guarantees the privacy and confidentiality of your patients. It must also provide a comfortable and suitable working environment for both you and your patients’ occupational health and safety.
● Accessibility. The space must be accessible to people with reduced mobility, complying with current accessibility regulations.
● Business licence. You must obtain a business licence from the local council, which may be more difficult to secure if the practice is located within a residential property. In some buildings this may not be possible, but it depends on each residents’ association; it is best to check the rules and consult the property manager.
● Compliance with health regulations. You must comply with the health requirements laid down by law, such as ventilation, lighting and the cleanliness of the premises.
Furthermore, you should bear in mind that having a practice at home may affect your professional image and your patients’ perception of your service. It is important that the space is professional, welcoming and conveys a sense of trust. It may be convenient for you, but you must bear in mind that you lose privacy at home and the boundaries between your personal and professional lives become blurred.
Before deciding on this option, we recommend that you consult your local council and the Official College of Psychologists to ensure that you comply with all legal and ethical requirements. If you are thinking of specialising, you may be interested in finding out about the different branches of psychology that exist.
In summary, setting up a psychology practice in Spain requires a solid academic background, compliance with a series of legal requirements and careful planning. If you meet all these requirements, you’ll be ready to embark on your career as a psychologist and help others improve their emotional wellbeing.
Remember that continuing professional development is essential to keep you up to date with the latest trends and advances in the field of psychology. At UAX, we offer a wide range of qualifications and resources to help you continue to grow as a professional.
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