When the public wait for a psychologist is too long

Key rules

• Public wait: A first public appointment commonly takes weeks to a few months, depending on your region.
• Your GP: Stay in touch with your GP while you wait, because they can prescribe and re-refer you.
• Crisis: In a crisis, call 112 or the free, confidential 024 line, which is open 24 hours a day.
• Private cost: A private psychology session typically costs around 50–80 euros.

What to expect from the public wait

Expect to wait. After your GP refers you to the public mental health centre (CSM), a first appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist commonly takes weeks to a few months. It varies a lot by region and area. Follow-up appointments can be spaced weeks apart, so public care is rarely weekly therapy.

Spain has far fewer public clinical psychologists than most EU countries. Commonly cited estimates are about 5 to 6 per 100,000 inhabitants, against an EU average of about 18. That is why the queue is long. Ask your regional health service how long the wait is in your area.

Keep your GP involved while you wait

Book a GP visit as soon as you are referred. Your GP can prescribe medication, monitor how you are doing and re-refer you if things get worse. If your situation worsens, go back and ask to be re-referred rather than waiting quietly in the queue.

Low-cost and alternative help

You do not have to wait with no support. Try these in turn:

• Colegio oficial de psicología. Your regional professional body often runs low-cost or sliding-scale programmes. Ask what is available.
• University psychology clinics. Some take patients at reduced prices. Ask whether they have space.
• Municipal social services and town hall psychological services. Ask what support your town offers.
• Patient and support associations. Salud Mental España has regional federations that run groups and offer guidance.
• Private sessions. A private session typically costs around 50–80 euros, and a first psychiatrist visit roughly 80–150 euros. Many psychologists work online, including in English, which helps if Spanish is a barrier.

Services differ by town, so expect to make a few calls.

If you are in crisis

Do not wait for an appointment. Go to hospital urgencias or call 112. You can also call the free, confidential 024 line, open 24 hours a day. For emotional support, the Teléfono de la Esperanza and, for young people, the ANAR line are also available. The 024 line works in Spanish and co-official languages. For English, 112 is the most reliable option.

The list of helplines, support groups and associations is below, along with a checklist and timeline for the wait.

Timeline and deadlines

• See your GP and ask for the referral to the public mental health centre: as soon as symptoms last two weeks or more

• Use interim help: your GP, low-cost psychology, or online sessions: from the day you are referred until your first appointment

• Attend follow-up appointments, which can be spaced weeks apart: after the first appointment

• Go back to your GP and ask to be re-referred: if things get worse while you wait

Waits vary a lot by region and area, so check current times with your regional health service.

Checklist

• Ask your colegio oficial de psicología about low-cost or sliding-scale programmes.

• Ask a university psychology clinic whether it takes patients.

• Contact your municipal social services and local patient associations to ask what support they offer.

• Look for a psychologist who offers online sessions in English if Spanish is a barrier.

Free helplines, support groups and associations in Spain

Free helplines, support groups and associations

• 024 national suicide prevention line (Ministry of Health): In a crisis, call 112 or the free, confidential 024 line, which is open 24 hours a day. It works in Spanish and the co-official languages, and some regions offer others.

• 112 European emergency number: Call 112 in an emergency. Operators often handle English and other languages, so it is one of the most reliable options if you do not speak Spanish.

• Teléfono de la Esperanza (717 003 717): Call 717 003 717 for emotional support at any hour, 24 hours a day. The service is in Spanish.

• 016 gender violence line: Call 016 if you face gender violence. It is free, open 24 hours, does not appear on the phone bill, and offers interpretation in many languages.

• ANAR line for children and young people (116 111): Call 116 111 if a child or teenager needs help. It is open 24 hours.

• Confederación Salud Mental España and its regional federations: Ask your regional federation about peer support groups and family groups while you wait. They are mostly in Spanish and often free or low cost.

• Cruz Roja, ACCEM and CEAR: Ask these charities about psychosocial support if you are a migrant or refugee.

• Your town hall's psychological services: Ask your local council whether it offers free or low-cost psychological support.

• English-speaking peer groups: Look for expat-run groups in Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and the Costa del Sol, English-language Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and online peer groups. Many are free or ask for a small donation.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the wait for a public psychologist so long in Spain?

The wait is long because Spain has very few public clinical psychologists for its population. Commonly cited estimates are about 5 to 6 per 100,000 inhabitants, against an EU average of about 18. The exact numbers vary by year and region.

Can I get low-cost therapy while I wait for the public system?

Yes, you can look for low-cost psychology through your colegio oficial de psicología (the professional body), a university clinic, your municipal social services, or an NGO or patient association, though what is offered differs by locality. Ask each what it charges and whether there is a waiting list. Many private psychologists also offer online sessions in English.

Can I get help in English on a crisis or support line?

Yes, 112 and 016 are the most reliable lines for English, since 112 operators often handle English and 016 offers interpretation in many languages. The 024 line works in Spanish and co-official languages, and some regions offer others. For emotional support in English, volunteer lines run by English-speaking groups in Spain exist, but their hours are limited.