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How much does therapy cost in Europe? A country-by-country guide
What a private therapy session costs in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Portugal, what public systems cover, and how expats usually pay.
Updated · Lon Clinic
Short answer: a private therapy session in Western Europe usually costs between €40 and €180. Portugal and Spain sit at the lower end, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands at the higher end. Public systems do cover therapy, but usually with a referral, a waiting list and sessions in the local language, which is why many expats end up paying privately.
Prices by country
| Country | Private session (approx.) | What the public system offers |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | €100–€150 (licensed psychotherapist, GOP fee scale) | Covered by public insurance after an initial consultation, but the average wait to start therapy was 19.9 weeks in 2018 |
| Ireland | €60–€100 (counsellor) · €90–€180 (psychologist) | HSE primary care psychology, with waiting lists above 20,000 people for years |
| Netherlands | about €135–€170 an hour (independent psychologist) | Covered by basic insurance with a GP referral; the €385 annual deductible (eigen risico) applies |
| France | Set freely outside the scheme | Mon soutien psy: up to 12 sessions a year at €50 with a partner psychologist, 60% reimbursed by Assurance Maladie |
| Spain | €50–€90 (higher in Madrid and Barcelona) | Public psychology exists, but access is limited and slow |
| Portugal | about €42 on average (2025), more in Lisbon | SNS psychology through a family-doctor referral; places are scarce |
These are typical ranges, not official tariffs. Prices change, and they vary a lot by city and by the therapist's training.
Why expats often pay out of pocket
Even when you are fully insured, three things push people towards private therapy:
- Waiting lists. Months in Germany, often longer in parts of Ireland.
- Language. Public therapy is almost always in the local language. Talking about feelings in your second language is tiring, and you lose nuance.
- Paperwork. Referrals, registrations and approvals take time and some local knowledge.
Does insurance reimburse private therapy?
- Public insurance in your country of residence rarely pays for private therapy, and almost never for therapy given from another country.
- International expat health plans sometimes reimburse outpatient therapy against an invoice. Check the limit per session and per year.
- Employer programmes (EAPs) often cover a few free sessions. Worth asking HR.
What online therapy costs
At Lon Clinic, the first session is €35, then €56 a session on a weekly plan, and couples therapy is €45 for the first session, then €75. Our psychologists are licensed by the Portuguese Board of Psychologists (EU) and see clients online from Portugal. Read how it works.
Sources
- Germany: BPtK waiting times study, 2018; therapie.de on costs
- Ireland: HSE, private therapy
- Netherlands: Overstappen.nl, mental health cover 2026; Consumentenbond, 2026
- France: info.gouv.fr, Mon soutien psy
- Spain: UNIR, psychologist fees
- Portugal: HR Portugal / Fixando, 2025
Frequently asked questions
Which European country has the cheapest therapy?
Of the countries in this guide, Portugal and Spain have the lowest private prices, roughly €40 to €90 a session. Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands are usually €100 or more.
Does public insurance cover therapy for expats?
If you are insured in the public system where you live, often yes, but with referrals, waiting lists and sessions mostly in the local language. That is why many expats pay privately.
Is online therapy cheaper?
Often, yes. At Lon Clinic the first session is €35 and ongoing therapy is €56 a session.
Therapy in English with EU-licensed psychologists. First session €35, usually available this week.
This guide is general information and does not replace a consultation. If you are in danger, call 112.