What are the legal qualifications for practising the profession
The profession of psychologist, like all health professions, is governed by a strict legal framework. To practise the profession of psychologist legally in Greece, one needs a degree in Psychology from a recognised school, as well as a Licence to Practise the Profession of Psychologist.
The legal framework in force
The fundamental legal framework remains, to this day, Law 991/1979, in combination with Article 27 of Law 2646/1998. For the recognition of the professional qualifications of psychologists who have studied in another European Union country, the older Community Directive 89/48/EEC no longer applies; it has been replaced by Directive 2005/36/EC, transposed into Greek legislation by Presidential Decree 38/2010.
Licensing procedure
The licensing procedure has been simplified in recent years: today it works mainly as a “notification of commencement of professional practice” to the competent Region (and no longer to the Prefecture, an institution abolished in 2010), and it can be completed electronically via gov.gr / eugo.gr. Holding the licence certifies that the psychologist has the legal qualifications (studies, health, criminal record) to practise the profession.
Upcoming changes: the new Panhellenic Association of Psychologists (2026)
In September 2026 the Ministry of Health put out for public consultation a draft law providing for the establishment of a new Legal Entity under Public Law, the “Panhellenic Association of Psychologists”, which is expected to take over the supervision of the profession, the keeping of a register of licensed psychologists and a stricter disciplinary framework (iatronet.gr, 18/9/2026). The bill has not yet been passed — this page will be updated as soon as there are definitive developments.
How to make sure you are dealing with a licensed professional
Caution: Not everyone who advertises themselves as a “psychologist” actually holds the required licence. The only way to make sure that the professional you are consulting is legitimate and reliable is to ask to see their Licence to Practise the Profession of Psychologist.
Professional representation
The main professional body representing psychologists in Greece remains the Association of Greek Psychologists (SEPs).
Where psychologists work
The profession of psychologist is not limited to private practice. Psychology graduates work in public and private hospitals and psychiatric clinics (clinical psychology), in mental health and rehabilitation facilities (such as sheltered apartments and residential care facilities), in schools and diagnostic centres as school psychologists, in businesses and human resources departments (organisational/occupational psychology), in forensic/criminal psychology as expert witnesses, as well as in research and academic teaching. Many psychologists combine private practice with collaborations with facilities or organisations.
European certification: EuroPsy
Beyond the national licence to practise, many Greek psychologists choose to obtain “EuroPsy” — the European Certificate in Psychology established by the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA). EuroPsy is a common, Europe-wide benchmark of quality of education and professional competence, while also facilitating the recognition of qualifications and the mobility of psychologists between European countries.
Read also about The Science of Psychology and about the Ethics – Deontology that govern the practice of the profession.
Bibliography
Law 991/1979 (Government Gazette A΄ 278/20.12.1979). On the establishment of the profession of Psychologist in Greece and certain other provisions [in Greek]. https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/epaggelmata-tekhnes/n-991-1979.html
Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications. Official Journal of the European Union, L 255. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32005L0036
European Federation of Psychologists' Associations. (n.d.). About EuroPsy – European Certificate in Psychology. https://www.efpa.eu/about-europsy/
iatronet.gr. (2026, 18 September). Bill on the Panhellenic Association of Psychologists put to public consultation [in Greek]. https://www.iatronet.gr/article/142898/