Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Portugal: 2025 Guide

In Portugal, the regulation of mental health professionals varies by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while the title 'Psychologist' is legally protected and requires mandatory registration with the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP).

This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's credentials with the official registers, and what to look for to ensure you receive legally authorised care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Official Legal Framework

Regulatory Authorities

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

Verification Procedures for the Public

Complaint Procedures

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Current Professional Statistics

Language Requirements

Recommendations for the Public

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

Primary Legislation:

• Law 57/2008: Creates the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP) and regulates psychology practice
• OPP Registration Regulations: Detailed registration requirements and procedures
• Health Regulatory Authority Law: ERS oversight of healthcare professionals

Regulatory Authorities

1. ORDER OF PORTUGUESE PSYCHOLOGISTS (OPP)

Legal Authority: Law 57/2008 of September 4th

Mandatory Membership: All practising psychologists must be registered

Functions:

• Professional licensing and registration
• Professional standards development and enforcement
• Disciplinary procedures and professional conduct oversight
• Continuing education requirements
• International recognition and mobility facilitation
• Public protection and professional advocacy

• Psychology graduates with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology
• Pre-Bologna psychology degree holders (completed before December 31, 2007)
• EU nationals with equivalent qualifications
• Non-EU nationals with recognised equivalent qualifications

2. HEALTH REGULATORY AUTHORITY (ERS)

Role: Healthcare system regulation and oversight

Authority: Health sector regulatory framework

Functions:

• Healthcare professional registration oversight
• Quality assurance in healthcare services
• Healthcare system monitoring and regulation
• Administrative sanctions for non-compliance
• Healthcare entity licensing and control

3. DISCIPLINARY BODIES

Role: Professional conduct enforcement

Jurisdiction: All OPP-registered psychologists

Functions:

• Professional misconduct investigations
• Disciplinary measure imposition
• Professional standards enforcement
• Public protection measures
• Appeals processing

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (FULLY REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: OPP (mandatory registration)

License Required: Professional Certificate from OPP

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree: 3-year Psychology Bachelor's from recognised institution
• Master's Degree: Psychology Master's degree
• Pre-Bologna Alternative: 4-5 year psychology degree completed before December 31, 2007
• Foreign Qualifications: Recognition/equivalence of foreign academic qualifications required

• Online Application: Complete application form at www.ordemdospsicologos.pt
• Document Submission: Submit required documentation (see Annexes II-V of regulations)
• Admissions Committee Review: Assessment by OPP Admissions Committee
• Board Approval: Final approval by OPP Board
• Professional Certificate: Issuance of Professional Psychologist Certificate with identification number

• Psychological Assessment: Comprehensive psychological evaluation and testing
• Psychological Intervention: Therapeutic and counselling services
• Consultation: Professional consultation services
• Supervision/Guidance: Professional supervision and guidance
• Research: Basic and applied psychological research
• Public Professional Identity: Media commentary and professional representation
• Assessment Instrument Development: Creation of psychological assessment tools

• Mandatory: Cannot practice without OPP Professional Certificate
• Identification Number: Unique professional identification number
• Renewal: Ongoing registration maintenance requirements

2. TRAINEE PSYCHOLOGIST (REGULATED)

Regulatory Authority: OPP registration required

Status: Professional internship status

Requirements:

• Educational Qualification: Completed psychology degree requirements
• Internship Program: Enrolled in approved professional internship
• Supervision: Under supervision of registered psychologist
• Specific Certificate: Trainee-specific certificate issued by OPP

• Supervised Practice: Practice under qualified supervision
• Limited Authority: Restricted scope compared to full psychologists
• Professional Development: Gaining experience toward full registration
• Training Requirements: Completion of internship requirements

• No Voting Rights: Cannot vote in OPP elections
• Supervised Practice Only: Cannot practice independently
• Limited Professional Authority: Restricted professional activities

3. PSYCHIATRIST (MEDICAL REGULATION)

Regulatory Authority: Medical professional bodies

License Required: Medical license plus psychiatric specialisation

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree: 6-year medical studies
• Medical License: Registration with medical professional body
• Psychiatric Residency: Specialised psychiatric training
• Board Certification: Psychiatric specialist certification

• Full Medical Authority: Can prescribe medication and perform medical procedures
• Psychiatric Diagnosis: Complex psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
• Medical Interventions: Psychiatric medical treatments
• Hospitalisation: Can admit patients to psychiatric facilities
• Psychotherapy: Can provide psychotherapeutic treatment

4. OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Regulation: Specific professional body registration requirements

Professional Categories:

• Psychiatric Nurses: Nursing professional body registration
• Occupational Therapists: Allied health professional registration
• Social Workers: Social work professional body registration
• Counsellors: Variable regulation depending on specific practice area

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying Psychologist Credentials:

• OPP Registration Check: Verify registration with Order of Portuguese Psychologists
• Professional Certificate: Confirm possession of a valid OPP Professional Certificate
• Identification Number: Check unique professional identification number
• ERS Registration: Verify registration with Health Regulatory Authority
• Qualification Verification: Confirm educational qualifications and training

• OPP Website: https://www.ordemdospsicologos.pt/pt/membros
• Professional Certificate: Verify current certificate validity
• Professional Standing: Confirm good standing with professional body

Verifying International Practitioners:

• Qualification Recognition: Confirm recognition/equivalence of foreign qualifications
• OPP Registration: Verify completion of OPP registration process
• Language Proficiency: Check Portuguese language competency
• Professional Insurance: Verify professional indemnity insurance coverage
• Residence Status: Confirm legal residence status in Portugal

Complaint Procedures

For OPP-Registered Psychologists:

Process:

• Written Complaint: Submit a detailed complaint to OPP
• Investigation: Professional conduct investigation by disciplinary body
• Disciplinary Measures: Possible sanctions including:
• Professional warnings
• Continuing education requirements
• Practice restrictions
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent removal from register
• Appeal Process: Right to appeal disciplinary decisions
• Public Record: Serious disciplinary measures may be made public

For ERS Registration Issues:

Process:

• ERS Complaint: Submit a complaint regarding healthcare registration violations
• Administrative Investigation: ERS investigation of regulatory compliance
• Administrative Sanctions: Possible fines and registration restrictions
• Healthcare System Impact: Potential impact on healthcare practice authorisation

For Unlicensed Practice:

Enforcement: Professional body enforcement and legal action

Penalties: Legal action for unauthorised practice and title misuse

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Legally Protected Titles:

• "Psicólogo/a": Strictly protected, requires OPP registration
• "Psicólogo/a Estagiário/a": Protected trainee psychologist title

Legal Requirements:

• Title Protection: Law 57/2008 protects psychology titles
• Registration Requirement: Cannot use the title without OPP registration
• Professional Practice: Defined psychological practice requires registration

Legal Penalties:

• Unauthorised Practice: Legal action for practising without registration
• Title Misuse: Criminal penalties for unauthorised use of protected titles
• Professional Sanctions: OPP disciplinary actions for violations

Current Professional Statistics

• Active OPP Members: Has over 27,000 registered members
• Registration Growth: Ongoing growth in professional registrations
• Professional Areas: Diverse areas of psychological practice

• Initial Registration: €150 (with possible discounts for certain members)
• Annual Fees: Ongoing membership fees required
• Professional Certificate: Included in registration fees

• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development requirements
• Training Programs: Various OPP-associated training programs
• Professional Standards: Maintained through OPP oversight

Language Requirements

For International Applicants:

• Portuguese Proficiency: Required for professional practice
• Professional Communication: Essential for patient care and professional duties
• Documentation: All professional documentation in Portuguese
• Professional Integration: Language skills essential for professional community integration

Professional Practice:

• Patient Care: Portuguese language essential for effective patient communication
• Professional Collaboration: Required for liaison with healthcare and social services
• Regulatory Communication: Necessary for OPP and ERS communications
• Emergency Procedures: Critical for emergency and safeguarding procedures

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Psychological Services:

• Verify OPP Registration: Check psychologist's registration with OPP
• Professional Certificate: Confirm possession of valid Professional Certificate
• Qualification Check: Verify educational qualifications and training
• Professional Standing: Check good standing with professional body
• Language Proficiency: Ensure adequate Portuguese language skills

For International Practitioners:

• Registration Requirements: Understand OPP and ERS registration requirements
• Qualification Recognition: Obtain recognition/equivalence of foreign qualifications
• Professional Insurance: Secure appropriate professional indemnity insurance
• Language Preparation: Develop Portuguese language proficiency
• Professional Integration: Connect with Portuguese psychology professional community

Red Flags to Avoid:

• No OPP Registration: Practitioners without OPP registration
• Unauthorised Titles: Use of protected titles without proper registration
• Unverified Training: Cannot document recognised qualifications
• No Professional Certificate: Cannot provide a valid OPP certificate
• Unlicensed Practice: Practising without proper regulatory compliance

Sources and Verification

OPP page on Advanced Specialities

Health Regulatory Authority (ERS)

Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP)