Physiotherapists, dietitians and other allied health professions

Key rules

• Regulated list: Only a defined list of allied-health titles is regulated, and each is recognised through its own route.
• Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy degrees are recognised through the Ministry of Universities, not the Ministry of Health.
• Vocational titles: Técnico and Técnico Superior health titles go to the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport.
• Colegio: Physiotherapists join the regional colegio after recognition, and it is mandatory in private practice.
• Language: You must show Spanish proficiency to practise.

Only a defined list of titles is regulated

Spain regulates a fixed list of health professions. If your title is not on it, there is no formal recognition route for it. Check your profession against the list below first.

Graduate-level (university) regulated professions beyond medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine and nursing are:

• physiotherapy
• occupational therapy
• podiatry
• speech therapy (logopedia)
• nutrition and dietetics
• optics and optometry

Psychology is covered through the health-psychology route.

Vocational health technicians are regulated too, as Técnico and Técnico Superior. They include laboratory diagnostics, imaging, radiotherapy, dental hygiene, dental prosthetics, orthoprosthetics, pharmacy, nursing care assistance and emergency, among others.

The list has been amended over time, so read the current text of the health professions law before you rely on it.

Each title has its own route

There is no single office for allied health. The office depends on your title.

Physiotherapists

• From the EU, EEA or Switzerland: you apply for professional recognition through the Ministry of Universities (the Ministry of Health does not handle it).
• From outside the EU: your degree needs homologación, which means it is matched to the Spanish degree in physiotherapy. You may have to pass extra exams or take courses.
• After recognition: you register with the regional Colegio de Fisioterapeutas. This is generally required to practise and is mandatory in private practice. Rules vary a little by region, so ask your regional colegio.
• Language: you must show Spanish proficiency.

Processing is slow, so apply early.

Other university-level titles

Occupational therapy, podiatry, speech therapy, dietetics and optometry are regulated in the same way as physiotherapy, with recognition of your degree as the first step. Ask the Ministry of Universities which route fits your country and degree.

Vocational technician titles

These do not go to the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Universities. The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport recognises them.

• EU titles go through professional recognition.
• Non-EU titles go through homologación or equivalence to the Spanish vocational title.
• You apply on the ministry's online portal. The documents are listed below.
• The ministry may ask for a compensation measure, such as an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

The ministry's name and requirements change, so check the current process before you apply.

What to do next

1. Confirm your profession is on the regulated list.
2. Pick the route that matches your title: university or vocational.
3. Get your sworn translation and apostille or legalisation started early.
4. Once recognised, join the colegio if your profession has one.

If you are an EU citizen or a non-EU citizen, the route differs, as set out above.

Documents you need

• Your vocational health title (Técnico or Técnico Superior), as issued in your country.

• Your academic transcripts showing the subjects and hours you studied.

• Your ID document, uploaded with the application on the ministry's online portal.

• A sworn translation of your title and transcripts into Spanish.

• Legalisation or apostille on your non-EU documents.

Checklist

• Check that your profession is on the regulated list: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech therapy, nutrition and dietetics, optics and optometry, or a vocational health technician title.

• Check the current text of the health professions law, because its list has been amended over time.

• Apply for recognition of a physiotherapy degree through the Ministry of Universities if you are from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, or for homologación if your degree is non-EU.

• Send any vocational technician title to the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport, not the Ministry of Health.

• Prepare a sworn translation, and an apostille or legalisation for non-EU documents.

• Join the regional Colegio de Fisioterapeutas once your physiotherapy title is recognised.

• Prove your Spanish level, because language proficiency is required.

Frequently asked questions

Which authority recognises a foreign physiotherapy degree?

The Ministry of Universities (Science, Innovation and Universities) handles physiotherapy recognition, not the Ministry of Health. EU, EEA and Swiss physiotherapists apply for professional recognition. Non-EU degrees need homologación to the Spanish physiotherapy degree, which may require extra exams or courses.

Do I have to join a colegio as a physiotherapist?

Yes, you generally need to join the regional Colegio de Fisioterapeutas to practise, and it is mandatory in private practice. You do this after your title is recognised. Rules for the colegio vary a little between regions.

Which ministry recognises a vocational health technician title?

The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport recognises vocational health titles, not the Ministry of Health. EU titles go through professional recognition and non-EU titles through homologación or equivalence to the Spanish FP title.