Complete guide to opening a psychology practice in Portugal: legal requirements, tax regime, space, billing, GDPR, and essential digital tools.

Opening a Psychology Practice in Portugal: Complete Guide

Opening a psychology practice is a natural step for many psychologists who desire professional autonomy, schedule flexibility, and the possibility of building a clinical practice on their own terms. However, the transition from employee to independent professional involves much more than finding a space and starting to see patients. There are legal requirements, tax obligations, initial investments, and strategic decisions that determine success — or failure — in the first years.

This guide was written for psychology students in their final training phase and for recent graduates who are considering private practice in Portugal. It covers all practical aspects, from registration with the Portuguese Order of Psychologists to ethical marketing, including electronic billing and GDPR compliance.

1. Legal Requirements: What You Need Before Opening Your Doors

Registration with the Portuguese Order of Psychologists (OPP)

The practice of psychology in Portugal is regulated by Law No. 57/2008 of 4 September, which created the Portuguese Order of Psychologists (Ordem dos Psicologos Portugueses). To practise legally, you must:

Obtain the specialist title: Effective registration with the OPP requires completion of a supervised professional internship and obtaining the specialist title in one of the recognised areas (Clinical and Health Psychology, Educational Psychology, Social and Organisational Psychology, among others).
Keep your professional licence active: The professional licence (cedula profissional) is the document that proves your qualification to practise. It must always be up to date.
Pay annual fees: OPP fees are around EUR 180-220 per year (2026 values), depending on the tier.
Comply with the Code of Ethics: The code defines ethical and professional obligations, including professional confidentiality, informed consent, and technical competence.

Licences and Registrations

To open a psychology practice, a licence from the Health Regulatory Authority (ERS — Entidade Reguladora da Saude) is not required, as it is for medical clinics, provided you practise individually and without medical equipment. However, you must:

Register with the Tax Authority: Open an activity as a self-employed worker with the economic activity code CAE 86906 (Other human health activities, n.e.c.) or, alternatively, the corresponding CIRS code for health service provision.
Register with Social Security: Registration as a self-employed worker, with quarterly contribution obligations.
Verify the space's licence: If you rent a commercial space, confirm it has a use licence compatible with the provision of health services. Some municipalities require specific licensing.
ERS registration (if applicable): If you create a corporate structure (clinic or health centre), ERS registration is mandatory under Decree-Law No. 127/2014.

Insurance

Professional liability insurance: Although not legally required for psychologists practising individually, it is highly recommended by the OPP. It covers damages caused to third parties in the course of practice. Average cost: EUR 100-300 per year.
Space insurance: If you have your own practice, a multi-risk insurance covering space damage, equipment theft, and property liability.
Workplace accident insurance: Mandatory if you have employees (a receptionist, for example).

2. Choosing the Space: Own Practice vs. Clinical Cowork vs. Teleconsultation

The choice of space is one of the most impactful decisions on initial investment and monthly fixed costs.

Own Practice

Advantages:

Full control over the environment, decor, and schedules.
Personalised professional image.
Possibility of subletting rooms to colleagues.

Disadvantages:

High initial investment (furniture, renovations, rental deposit).
Significant monthly fixed costs (rent, electricity, water, internet, cleaning).
Estimated costs in Lisbon/Porto: EUR 400-900 per month (individual office).

When it makes sense: When you already have a stable patient portfolio (15+ regular patients) and predictable income.

Clinical Cowork

Advantages:

Shared and lower costs (EUR 150-400 per month for hourly blocks).
Infrastructure included (reception, waiting room, cleaning).
Contact network with other health professionals.
No long-term commitment.

Disadvantages:

Less control over the space.
Limited schedule availability.
Less personalisation.

When it makes sense: For those starting out who do not yet have sufficient volume to justify their own space.

Teleconsultation (100% Online)

Advantages:

Minimal initial investment.
No rental costs.
Extended geographic reach (the whole country, Portuguese emigrants).
Total schedule flexibility.

Disadvantages:

Not suitable for all patients or conditions.
Need for a secure, GDPR-compliant platform.
Limitations in non-verbal assessment.
May be harder to establish the therapeutic relationship initially.

When it makes sense: As a complement to in-person practice, or as the main model for early-career professionals who want to minimise costs.

Hybrid Model (Recommended)

Most psychologists starting their practice benefit from a hybrid model:

2-3 days per week at a clinical cowork for in-person sessions.
Remaining days in teleconsultation from home.
Gradual migration to an own practice when volume justifies it.

3. Tax Regime: Self-Employed vs. Company

The choice of tax regime has significant implications for the taxes you pay and the bureaucracy involved.

Self-Employed (Simplified Regime)

This is the most common regime for psychologists starting their practice.

Taxable income: 75% of gross income (coefficient of 0.75 for liberal professionals, under Article 31 of the IRS Code).
Social Security: 21.4% on 70% of relevant income (calculated quarterly). In the first year of activity, the minimum contribution is approximately EUR 20 per month.
IRS (Personal Income Tax): Progressive IRS tax brackets apply to taxable income. Withholding tax of 25% when providing services to companies or entities with organised accounting (Article 101 of the CIRS).
VAT: Clinical psychology acts are exempt from VAT under Article 9, No. 1, paragraph 1) of the VAT Code (CIVA). This exemption applies to psychotherapy sessions, clinical psychological assessment, and follow-up consultations. Activities such as training, workshops, and organisational consultancy are subject to 23% VAT.
First-year exemptions: Exemption from Social Security contributions for the first 12 months of activity (upon request).

Single-Member Limited Company (Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas)

This may make sense above a certain billing volume.

IRC (Corporate Income Tax): Rate of 17% on the first EUR 50,000 of taxable income and 21% on the remainder (Article 87 of the IRC Code). SMEs may benefit from a reduced rate under certain conditions.
Dividends: Autonomous taxation of 28% on distributed dividends.
Mandatory organised accounting: Monthly cost of a certified accountant (EUR 200-400 per month).
Social Security: The manager may be treated as a self-employed worker or opt for the statutory body members regime.

When Does It Pay to Create a Company?

As a general rule, creating a company begins to make financial sense when:

Annual gross income exceeds EUR 40,000-50,000.
Deductible expenses are high (rent, training, equipment).
You intend to hire employees.
You want to separate personal and professional assets.

Recommendation: Start as self-employed. Consult an accountant when annual income exceeds EUR 30,000 to assess the transition.

Withholding Tax

When issuing invoices to entities with organised accounting (companies, insurers, institutions), they withhold 25% of the value at source as IRS. This amount is a tax advance, deducted in the annual IRS declaration.

4. Essential Equipment: Furniture, Technology, and Software

Furniture

The practice should convey comfort, safety, and professionalism:

Comfortable armchair or sofa for the patient: EUR 200-500.
Chair for the psychologist: EUR 150-400 (invest in an ergonomic chair — you will spend many hours sitting).
Side table or desk: EUR 100-300.
Adequate lighting: Warm and indirect light. Avoid fluorescent lighting. EUR 50-150.
Sober decoration: Neutral paintings, plants, soft colours. EUR 100-300.
Discreetly visible clock: To manage session time without looking at your phone.
Waiting area table and chairs (if own space): EUR 200-500.
Basic soundproofing: Essential to ensure confidentiality. Acoustic panels or a white noise machine. EUR 100-400.

Total furniture investment: EUR 1,000-2,500.

Technology

Laptop: For clinical notes, teleconsultation, and management. EUR 600-1,200.
Quality webcam (if the laptop does not have a good camera): EUR 50-150.
Headset with microphone: For teleconsultation. EUR 30-100.
High-speed internet: Minimum 100 Mbps. EUR 30-50 per month.
Professional mobile phone (optional but recommended): Separate your personal number from your professional one. EUR 15-30 per month.

Clinical Management Software

Clinical management software is essential to organise your practice from day one. It should include:

Schedule and appointment booking: With automatic SMS and email reminders.
Electronic clinical record: Session notes, anamnesis, therapeutic plan.
Integrated billing: Issuance of invoices compliant with Portuguese legislation.
Secure patient communication: Encrypted messages, document sharing.
Reports and statistics: To monitor practice evolution.

Mena.ai integrates all these features in a platform designed specifically for psychologists in Portugal, including clinical management, electronic billing, and GDPR compliance.

5. Electronic Billing: e-Fatura, ATCUD, and Green Receipts

Billing is one of the areas that generates the most questions for psychologists starting their practice.

Legal Obligations

Since 2013, all professionals with annual income above EUR 12,500 are required to use billing software certified by the Tax Authority (AT — Autoridade Tributaria). Below this threshold, they may issue green receipts (recibos verdes) directly on the Tax Portal.

ATCUD (Unique Document Code)

The ATCUD is a mandatory validation code on all invoices, introduced by Decree-Law No. 28/2019. Since 2024, its presence is mandatory on all fiscally relevant documents. The ATCUD is generated automatically by certified billing software.

Green Receipts (Recibos Verdes)

If you issue green receipts through the Tax Portal:

Access the Tax Portal (portaldasfinancas.gov.pt).
Select "Invoices and Receipts" > "Issue".
Fill in the client's details (NIF — tax number — mandatory).
Description: "Psychotherapy session" or "Clinical psychology consultation".
Amount and mention of VAT exemption (Article 9 of the CIVA).
Issue and send to the patient.

Deadlines

The invoice must be issued by the 5th business day of the month following the service provision.
Ideally, issue on the same day as the session to avoid oversights.
Invoices are automatically reported to the AT when issued by certified software.

Automation

Issuing invoices manually for each session consumes time and is prone to errors. Mena.ai's automatic billing allows:

Automatic invoice generation after each session.
Pre-filled tax data (NIF, VAT exemption, service description).
Automatic reporting to the AT.
Automatically generated ATCUD.
Automatic invoice delivery to the patient by email.

6. Fee Schedule: Reference Values

The OPP periodically publishes reference values for psychologists' fees.

OPP Reference Values (2025-2026)

Type of Service	Suggested Value
Individual session (50 min)	EUR 50-70
Couples/family session (75 min)	EUR 70-100
Psychological assessment (full battery)	EUR 150-350
Psychological report	EUR 80-150
Group session (per participant)	EUR 25-40

Factors That Influence Pricing

Location: Lisbon and Porto allow higher values. Interior and island regions tend to practise lower values.
Specialisation: Areas such as neuropsychology, EMDR, couples therapy, or eating disorders allow above-average values.
Experience: Psychologists with more years of practice and specialised training charge more.
Format: Online sessions may have equal or slightly lower value than in-person.

How to Set Your Price

Research the local market: Check the prices practised by colleagues in your area.
Calculate the minimum sustainable price: Add all costs (fixed + variable + taxes) and divide by the realistic number of sessions per month.
Do not undervalue your work: Very low prices can be perceived as a lack of quality and compromise sustainability.
Consider packages: Offer packages of 4 or 8 sessions with a slight discount to encourage treatment adherence.

7. Financial Management in the First Year

Estimated Initial Investment

Item	Estimated Cost
OPP registration and fees	EUR 250-350
Professional insurance	EUR 100-300
Furniture	EUR 1,000-2,500
Technology (computer, webcam, headset)	EUR 700-1,500
Management software (annual)	EUR 200-600
Professional website	EUR 300-1,000
Office supplies and decoration	EUR 200-500
Working capital (3 months of fixed costs)	EUR 1,500-3,000
Estimated total	EUR 4,250-9,750

If you opt for clinical cowork and teleconsultation, the investment can fall below EUR 3,000.

Monthly Fixed Costs

Item	Monthly Cost
Space rent (or cowork)	EUR 150-800
Management software	EUR 20-50
Internet and telecommunications	EUR 40-70
Accountant	EUR 0-250
Insurance (monthly equivalent)	EUR 10-25
Clinical supervision	EUR 50-100
Monthly total	EUR 270-1,295

Revenue Projection for the First Year

Considering an average fee of EUR 60 per session:

Month 1-3: 5-10 weekly patients = EUR 1,200-2,400 per month.
Month 4-6: 10-15 weekly patients = EUR 2,400-3,600 per month.
Month 7-12: 15-20 weekly patients = EUR 3,600-4,800 per month.

Break-Even

With fixed costs of EUR 500-800 per month (hybrid cowork + teleconsultation model), break-even is reached at approximately 8-13 sessions per week — typically between the 2nd and 4th month of activity.

Cash Flow Management

Set aside 25-30% of each payment for taxes (IRS + Social Security).
Maintain a separate bank account for professional activity.
Build an emergency fund equivalent to 3 months of fixed costs.
Provision for holidays: As a self-employed worker, you have no holiday pay. Set aside the equivalent of 1/12 of income monthly.

8. Essential and Recommended Digital Tools

Mandatory

AT-certified billing software: For issuing invoices compliant with legislation. Mandatory above EUR 12,500 annual income.
Tax Portal (Portal das Financas): For issuing green receipts (if applicable), consulting tax data, and filing declarations.
Social Security Direct (Seguranca Social Direta): For managing contributions and quarterly declarations.

Clinical management software: Schedule, clinical record, integrated billing. Mena.ai combines all these features.
Secure teleconsultation platform: With end-to-end encryption and GDPR compliance. Avoid generic platforms like Zoom or Google Meet for clinical sessions, as they may not meet health data protection requirements.
Qualified digital signature: For digitally signing informed consents and reports (Chave Movel Digital or qualified certificate).
Encrypted cloud backup: To protect clinical data against loss. Choose providers with EU servers.
Professional website: Basic online presence with information about services, location, and appointment booking.
Password manager: Bitwarden, 1Password, or equivalent for managing credentials securely.

9. GDPR Compliance for Health Data

Mental health data is classified as sensitive data (special category) under Article 9 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This implies enhanced obligations.

Main Obligations

Legal basis: Processing health data requires explicit patient consent (Article 9, No. 2, paragraph a) of the GDPR) or a basis in healthcare provision (paragraph h)).
Record of processing activities: You must maintain a documented record of all personal data processing operations (Article 30 of the GDPR).
Data protection impact assessment (DPIA): May be necessary when data processing involves high risks to data subjects' rights (Article 35 of the GDPR).
Informed consent: Must be specific, freely given, informed, and explicit. The patient must know exactly what data is collected, for what purpose, and for how long.
Right of access and portability: Patients have the right to access their data and request its transfer to another professional.
Retention period: Clinical data must be retained for the legally required period (typically 5 years after the end of the therapeutic relationship, under Law No. 58/2019 and applicable regulations).
Breach notification: In the event of a data breach, you must notify the CNPD (Portuguese National Data Protection Commission) within 72 hours (Article 33 of the GDPR).

Technical and Organisational Measures

Encryption: All clinical data must be encrypted, both in transit and at rest.
Access control: Only the psychologist and authorised professionals should access clinical data.
Pseudonymisation: Where possible, separate identifying data from clinical data.
Secure backups: Encrypted backup copies stored in a secure location (preferably in the EU).
Secure destruction: Procedures for data destruction when the retention period expires.

Mena.ai's privacy policy and security measures were designed to ensure full GDPR compliance for mental health data, including end-to-end encryption and storage on European servers.

10. First Steps with Ethical Marketing

The OPP Code of Ethics imposes limits on advertising but does not prohibit promoting your services. Ethical marketing is fundamental to attracting patients.

What You Can (and Should) Do

Professional website: With clear information about training, specialisation, therapeutic approach, location, prices, and booking methods.
Google My Business: Register the practice to appear in local searches. Include photos of the space, hours, and contact details.
Professional directory profiles: OPP, Doctoralia, Psicologos.pt, and other health professional directories.
Educational content: Blog articles, social media posts, or videos about mental health topics (without promising specific results).
Partnerships: With family doctors, schools, local businesses, and other health professionals who may refer patients.
Professional social networks: LinkedIn and professional Instagram for sharing educational content and building authority.

What You Should Not Do

Promise results: Never guarantee cures or specific outcomes in advertising.
Use patient testimonials: Even with consent, it is ethically questionable and may violate confidentiality.
Comparative advertising: Do not compare yourself with other professionals or disparage colleagues.
Sensationalist language: Avoid terms such as "the best psychologist", "revolutionary method", or "guaranteed results".
Poach colleagues' patients: Soliciting patients from other professionals is prohibited by the Code of Ethics.

Strategy for the First Year

Month 1: Website live, Google My Business profile, registration in 2-3 directories.
Month 2-3: Start of regular posts (1-2 per week) on social media.
Month 3-6: Establishing local partnerships (family doctors, gyms, schools).
Month 6-12: Evaluation of channels with the best return and reinforcing investment in those channels.

11. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Doing the Maths Before Starting

Many psychologists open a practice without a minimum financial plan. Know exactly how much you need to bill per month to cover costs and have a sustainable income. Do not rely on intuition alone.

Mistake 2: Over-Investing in the Space from the Start

A luxurious practice is not synonymous with success. Start with the essentials — a clean, comfortable, and well-soundproofed space — and improve gradually as the practice grows.

Mistake 3: Not Defining Clear Policies

Cancellation policy, payment policy, session duration, holidays — everything should be defined in writing and communicated to the patient from the first session. Lack of clarity generates conflicts and revenue loss.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Billing and Tax Matters

Tax errors can result in significant fines. From day one, issue invoices correctly, keep all expense receipts, and if possible, hire an accountant.

Mistake 5: Not Investing in Supervision

Clinical supervision is not just for trainees. Professionals starting private practice benefit enormously from regular supervision (fortnightly or monthly) to discuss cases, difficulties, and ethical dilemmas.

Mistake 6: Working in Isolation

Private practice can be lonely. Seek to integrate into peer networks, intervision groups, or online professional communities. Professional isolation is a risk factor for burnout.

Mistake 7: Neglecting Continuing Education

The OPP requires continuing education for maintaining the specialist title. Beyond the obligation, training is essential to stay current and expand competences.

Mistake 8: Having No Online Presence

In 2026, most patients search for psychologists online. If you have no website or digital presence, you are invisible to the majority of potential patients.

Mistake 9: Accepting All Patients

Not all patients are suitable for your training and competences. Refer to colleagues when the presenting problem falls outside your area of specialisation. It is an ethical practice that protects both the patient and the professional.

Mistake 10: Not Taking Care of Yourself

Self-care is not a luxury — it is an ethical obligation. An exhausted psychologist does not provide good care. Establish clear boundaries between professional and personal life, maintain your own personal therapy, and practise what you recommend to your patients.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a master's degree to open a practice?

Yes. In Portugal, practising psychology requires, at minimum, an integrated master's degree in Psychology (or pre-Bologna equivalent), a supervised professional internship, and OPP registration with the specialist title.

How long does it take to have a full schedule?

It varies significantly, but most psychologists starting private practice reach a reasonably full schedule (15-20 sessions per week) between 6 and 18 months. Factors such as location, specialisation, marketing, and network of contacts influence this timeframe.

Can I practise without being registered with the OPP?

No. Practising psychology without OPP registration constitutes illegal practice of the profession, punishable under the law. The use of the title "psychologist" is reserved for effective OPP members.

Do I need an accountant?

Under the simplified regime it is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended, especially if you have no experience with tax matters. An accountant costs EUR 100-250 per month and prevents errors that can be far more costly.

Can I conduct teleconsultations with patients outside Portugal?

From the OPP's perspective, you can follow up with Portuguese patients abroad via teleconsultation. However, if you want to see patients residing in other countries, you should check local regulations, as in many jurisdictions registration in the country where the patient is located is required.

Do I have to charge VAT on sessions?

No, clinical psychology acts are exempt from VAT under Article 9 of the CIVA. However, other services such as training, organisational consultancy, or workshops are subject to 23% VAT.

How much should I charge for the first session?

The first session (initial assessment) may have a value equal to or higher than regular sessions, given that it is typically longer (60-90 minutes) and involves collecting clinical history. Many psychologists charge between EUR 60 and EUR 90 for the initial assessment.

Is professional insurance mandatory?

It is not legally mandatory for psychologists practising individually, but it is strongly recommended by the OPP. The cost is low (EUR 100-300 per year) and the protection it offers is significant.

Can I work simultaneously as an employee and in private practice?

Yes, provided the employment contract does not include an exclusivity clause and you comply with tax obligations relating to both activities. Many psychologists maintain part-time employment while building their private practice.

How do I choose my therapeutic approach?

The choice of therapeutic approach (cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, integrative, etc.) should be based on your training, supervision, and scientific evidence. The OPP recommends that psychologists use evidence-based approaches and recognise the limits of their competence.

13. Conclusion

Opening a psychology practice in Portugal is an ambitious project that requires preparation in multiple areas — legal, tax, financial, and technological. The good news is that the mental health market in Portugal is in sustained growth, with greater social awareness and increasing demand for psychology services.

The first months will be the most challenging: building a patient portfolio takes time, and adapting to the reality of private practice (with all its administrative demands) can be frustrating. But with adequate planning, controlled initial investment, and the right tools, it is possible to achieve the financial sustainability and professional fulfilment that private practice can offer.

Launch Checklist

If you are looking for a platform that simplifies clinical management, billing, and regulatory compliance from day one, Mena.ai was designed specifically for psychologists in Portugal.

The path to private practice has challenges, but it also offers an autonomy and professional fulfilment that few work models allow. Prepare well, invest in the right tools, and take the first step with confidence.