What extra support actually costs when the public system isn't enough

Key rules

• Over six: Regular outpatient speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychomotricity and ABA are generally not provided publicly for children over six.
• Free at school: School specialist teachers and the guidance team support your child at no cost.
• Speech therapy price: A private session typically costs about €30-55.
• Psychology price: A private child psychology session typically costs €45-80.
• Disability certificate: A certificate, usually grade 33% or more, may open free or subsidised help in some regions.

The short answer

Once your child is over six, most regular therapy is private and you pay for it. Expect roughly €30-80 per session for speech therapy or psychology. Occupational therapy usually costs a little more, and ABA costs more again. What stays free is mostly school support and some medical and mental health care.

What private sessions cost

These are typical 2025 prices in private practice. Quotes vary by centre and session length, so ask several places.

Speech therapy (logopedia). A session of 45-60 minutes costs about €30-55.

• Madrid and Barcelona: about €40-60.
• Bilbao and San Sebastián: about €40-55.
• Valencia, Sevilla and smaller cities: about €30-45.
• Home visits and specialised centres cost more.

Child psychology. A session of about 50 minutes costs €45-80.

• Madrid and Barcelona: about €55-80.
• Bilbao: about €50-75.
• Valencia and Sevilla: about €40-60.
• A neuropsychological assessment costs several hundred euros on top.

Occupational therapy. Sessions last 45-60 minutes and usually cost slightly more than speech therapy. Madrid and Barcelona are the highest. Valencia, Sevilla and Bilbao are somewhat lower. An initial assessment costs extra. Sensory integration centres often sell monthly packages, so compare the package with the per-session price.

Psychomotricity. Sessions of 45-60 minutes cost about the same as speech therapy or slightly less. Group sessions are cheaper than individual ones. The price depends on whether the practitioner is a psychomotricist, a physiotherapist or a teacher.

ABA. ABA is charged by the hour and usually costs more than a single-discipline session. The rate depends on who delivers it (a therapist or a supervising analyst) and whether it happens at home or in a centre. Supervision and assessment are billed separately. Intensive programmes run many hours a week, so monthly costs add up fast. Ask for a written monthly estimate before you start.

What is free

For children over six, public health generally does not provide regular outpatient speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychomotricity or ABA. In most regions early-attention services (CAIT) stop at age 6. Speech therapy through schools or hospitals happens only in specific cases.

These are free:

• School support. Specialist teachers of therapeutic pedagogy (PT) and of hearing and language (AL) work in schools, along with the school guidance team (orientación). Ask the school for an assessment.
• Public health care. This covers paediatric visits, neuropaediatrics and child mental health (USMIJ). Hospital rehabilitation or physiotherapy is covered when prescribed.

Cheaper routes

• Disability certificate. In some regions, social services offer free or subsidised help to children with a certificate, usually at a grade of 33% or more. Ask your regional social services office.
• Non-profit associations. Many subsidise therapy for families. Search for one for your child's condition.

Conditions and waiting lists vary by region, so check locally.

Budgeting

Multiply the per-session price by the weekly sessions and by about four weeks. The monthly estimator below does this for you.

Monthly therapy budget estimator

Work it out

What you enter

• Therapy sessions your child needs per week (sessions): The therapist's or school guidance team's recommendation after assessment.
• Free public sessions per week (sessions): Ask the school guidance team, your health centre and regional social services how many sessions your child gets.
• Private price per session (EUR): Quotes from clinics in your city. Typical 2025 speech therapy is 30-55 EUR, and psychology 45-80 EUR.
• Weeks of therapy per year (weeks): Count 52 weeks, minus the weeks the clinic closes or you skip, such as August.

Figures used

• Months in a year: 12 months (as of 2025)

Worked example (with Therapy sessions your child needs per week 3 sessions, Free public sessions per week 1 sessions, Private price per session 45 EUR, Weeks of therapy per year 46 weeks)

When the sum misleads

• Use a separate estimate for each therapy, because prices differ: speech therapy is usually 30-55 EUR, psychology 45-80 EUR, and Madrid and Barcelona are at the top of each range.
• Initial assessments, neuropsychological reports and ABA supervision are billed on top of sessions.
• ABA is charged by the hour and intensive programmes run many hours a week, so ask the provider for a written monthly quote.
• If you do not know your free hours yet, enter 0 to see the highest cost.

Prices are typical 2025 levels and vary by centre; get quotes from clinics in your city and check free hours with the school and your regional health service.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private speech therapy session cost?

A private speech therapy (logopedia) session of 45 to 60 minutes typically costs €30-55. Madrid and Barcelona are usually €40-60, while Valencia, Sevilla and smaller cities are about €30-45.

How much does a private child psychology session cost?

A private child psychology session of about 50 minutes typically costs €45-80. Madrid and Barcelona are about €55-80, and Valencia and Sevilla about €40-60.

Does public health cover speech therapy or ABA for children over six?

No, regular outpatient speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychomotricity and ABA are generally not provided by public health for children over six. Public health does cover paediatric and neuropaediatric consultations, child mental health services and hospital physiotherapy when prescribed. Coverage varies by region.

Is there any free or cheaper help for a school-age child with a disability certificate?

Yes, in some regions social services offer free or subsidised therapy to children with a disability certificate, usually grade 33% or more. Non-profit associations also often subsidise therapy. Waiting lists and conditions vary, so ask your regional social services office.

Are occupational therapy and ABA more expensive than speech therapy?

Yes, occupational therapy usually costs slightly more per session than speech therapy, and ABA is charged by the hour at a higher rate than single therapy sessions.