The fee split between practice and therapist is the conversation that defines your culture: what you agree (and how you communicate it) drives retention more than base salary.
This guide covers the compensation models most used in Spanish psychology practices, with numerical examples and the pros/cons of each, so you can pick the one that fits your kind of practice.
Model 1: per-session commission (50/50, 60/40, 70/30)
The most common in Spain. The psychologist invoices the practice per session; the practice pays the agreed percentage.
- 50/50: the classic when the practice sources and refers patients and provides brand, schedule and support.
- 60/40 (favouring therapist): when the therapist brings her own caseload or has consolidated experience.
- 70/30 (favouring therapist): the practice only provides space and minimal admin.
Example: session at €70 → 50/50 = €35 therapist / €35 practice. If the psychologist does 80 sessions/month, she invoices €2,800 gross.
Model 2: space rental (clinical co-working)
The therapist pays the practice a fixed rent (monthly or hourly) and keeps 100% of her fees. Ideal for practices with free space and professionals with their own caseload.
- Hourly: €8-15/hour for the office.
- Monthly: €200-450/month for a fixed shift (morning or afternoon).
- Service add-ons: website, online schedule, reception → +€50-150/month.
Example: 4 half-days/week = €250/month. The therapist does 60 sessions at €70 = €4,200 − €250 = €3,950 gross.
Model 3: salaried with variable
Offices-and-practices employment contract + bonus on occupancy or revenue generated.
- Base salary: €18,000-26,000/year gross depending on experience and city.
- Variable: 5-15% on revenue generated above a minimum.
- Practice costs: salary + 30-32% social security + liability + training.
Real cost to the practice of a junior at €22,000 gross: ~€30,000/year.
Model 4: mixed fixed + sessions
Low fixed salary (e.g. €800/month for mornings at reception + group supervision) + 70/30 commission on her clinical sessions. A good model for practices combining admin and clinical work.
Hidden practice costs when setting the split
- Premises rent: €6-15/m²/month depending on city.
- Utilities (electricity, internet, cleaning): €200-500/month.
- Clinical software and schedule: €30-150/month.
- Marketing (SEO, ads, social): €300-1,500/month.
- Reception/admin: €0-2,500/month depending on volume.
- Professional liability + college fees.
The split must cover all that and leave margin for reinvestment and clinical direction. Measure your KPIs before setting commissions.
Common pitfalls when setting the split
- 50/50 without subtracting VAT and costs: the practice loses money per session.
- Changing the split every 6 months: erodes trust.
- Not differentiating the first session (higher acquisition cost) from following sessions.
- Applying the same split to a patient sourced by the practice and a patient brought by the therapist.
- Forgetting the pack split and settlement when a therapist leaves the practice.
Frequently asked questions
We answer the most frequent questions on fee splits at psychology practices in 2026.
Is 50/50 still the standard?
At practices with good patient acquisition, yes. If the practice spends on marketing and the therapist only «shows up» for sessions, 50/50 is fair. If the therapist brings her own caseload, 60/40 or 70/30.
Should I differentiate the first session from the following ones?
Recommended. Acquiring a patient costs €30-150 in marketing. Some practices apply 70/30 to the first session (favouring the practice) and 50/50 from the second on.
How are closed packs split?
Collect the full pack at the practice and settle with the therapist session by session as it is consumed. If the therapist leaves mid-pack, settle pro-rata under a written rule.
What if the psychologist sources her own patients?
The clean way: log it and apply another percentage (more favourable to her). The practice still charges space rental and admin even if it doesn't source the patient.
How do practice and self-employed therapist invoice each other?
The psychologist issues an invoice to the practice for her sessions. The practice pays monthly. The patient invoice is issued by the practice or the therapist depending on what was agreed. More in Verifactu electronic invoicing.