Opening a psychology practice in Spain is an ambitious but feasible project with proper planning. You need to choose a legal form, manage licences, size premises, hire professionals, set up software and roll out a commercial plan. This guide covers the full process.
Legal form and taxation: self-employed or SL
| Aspect | Self-employed | SL (Limited) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | Low | ~€3,000 |
| Liability | Unlimited | Limited to capital |
| Taxation | Progressive income tax | ~23-25% corporate tax |
| Tax break-even | ~€50,000-60,000 net/year | |
| Bookkeeping | Simple | More demanding |
Quick rule: start as self-employed and migrate to SL when the practice has multiple professionals.
Licences and healthcare authorisation
For a clinical psychology practice you need:
- Activity licence from the city council.
- Healthcare authorisation from the regional registry.
- Registration with regional Health Ministry for clinical psychology centres.
- Accessibility compliance.
Requirements vary by region. Consult your professional college.
Choosing premises
- Location: middle-class residential or central well-connected areas.
- Size: 60-120 m² for 3-5 offices + reception + waiting room.
- Acoustic insulation: essential for confidentiality.
- Connectivity: stable fibre for online psychology.
- Rent: €800-2,500/month in mid-size cities.
Staffing and team
- Hourly rental: charge a commission to professionals (30-40%). Low commitment.
- Fixed monthly fee: €200-450/month per professional. Medium engagement.
- Employment contract: you pay salary. High commitment, higher risk.
- Mixed: contract some + hourly rental to others.
How much it costs to open a psychology practice
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Deposit and works | €2,000 – 12,000 |
| Furniture and equipment | €1,500 – 5,000 |
| Licences and registry | €300 – 1,500 |
| Web, brand, initial marketing | €800 – 3,000 |
| Clinical software (annual) | €180 – 600 |
| Liability insurance (annual) | €150 – 400 |
| 3-6 month buffer | Variable |
Total initial investment: €5,000 - 25,000.
Practice management software
A centre needs:
- Multi-professional agenda with rooms.
- Shared clinical history with role-based access.
- Invoicing with separate series per professional.
- Shared or per-professional packs.
- WhatsApp reminders with centre template.
- Per-professional + global reports.
- Reinforced GDPR compliance.
Preguntas frecuentes
Common questions about opening a psychology practice in Spain.
What's needed to open a psychology practice in Spain?
College registration, tax registration in proper IAE codes, city activity licence, regional healthcare authorisation, premises contract, professional liability insurance and GDPR-compliant clinical software.
How much does it cost to open a psychology practice?
Typically €5,000-25,000 initial investment: deposit/works (€2,000-12,000), furniture (€1,500-5,000), licences (€300-1,500), web (€800-3,000), software (€15-50/month) and buffer for first 3-6 months.
Self-employed or SL for a psychology practice?
If opening alone with low income, self-employed is simpler. From €50-60k net/year or with partners and employees, SL gives better taxation and limits liability.
Do I need healthcare authorisation for a centre?
If you provide clinical psychology (not just coaching), most regions require centre authorisation. Consult your college or a healthcare consultant before signing premises.
What software do I need in a centre?
Software with multi-professional agenda, rooms, manager and reception roles, shared clinical history, Verifactu invoicing per series and professional, packs, WhatsApp and reports.