
Details
Previously Asociacion Profesional Espanola de Terapeutas Ocupacionales (APETO) 1972 – 2022
Delegates

Working in Spain
General Information
Number of occupational therapists in Spain
15,000
In Spain , the term "occupational therapist" is also referred to as
Terapeuta Ocupacional
Main language(s) spoken in Spain
Spanish
Other languages commonly spoken in Spain
Catalan, Galician, Basque
Registration
Occupational therapists are required to register with a federal/national organisation to practice
Not Required
Occupational therapists are required to register with a state/regional organisation to practice
Not Required
It is mandatory only in a few regions.
It is compulsory to join the Consejo General de Colegios de Terapeutas Ocupacionales in order to practice as an occupational therapist
No
Practicing Requirements
Graduation from a WFOT approved programme is required to register to practice
No
Language(s) that are required for occupational therapists to practice
Spanish
Employment Opportunities
Occupational therapy is recognised as a shortage occupation
No
It is a little-known profession in some regions and in high demand in others within the same country.
Sources of information for occupational therapist employment opportunities
INAEM
PUBLIC SYSTEM HEALTH
CONSEJO GENERAL DE TERAPEUTAS OCUPACIONALES DE ESPAÑA Y COLEGIOS AUTONÓMICOS
Private employment agencies
PUBLIC SYSTEM HEALTH
CONSEJO GENERAL DE TERAPEUTAS OCUPACIONALES DE ESPAÑA Y COLEGIOS AUTONÓMICOS
Private employment agencies
Immigration
Immigration regulations or visa requirements to practice
https://www.inclusion.gob.es/ (External) ↗
https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/profesionesSanitarias/profesiones/especialistasComunitarios/home.htm (External) ↗
https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/profesionesSanitarias/profesiones/reconocimientoTitulos.htm (External) ↗
https://consejoterapiaocupacional.org/ (External) ↗
https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/profesionesSanitarias/profesiones/especialistasComunitarios/home.htm (External) ↗
https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/profesionesSanitarias/profesiones/reconocimientoTitulos.htm (External) ↗
https://consejoterapiaocupacional.org/ (External) ↗
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants exist in Spain
No
Disclaimer: This information was provided by Consejo General de Colegios de Terapeutas Ocupacionales and was last updated on 11th February 2025. WFOT is not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or changes in the information provided. This information is intended as a guide and should be independently verified before making any decisions.
Definition of Occupational Therapy in Spain
Consejo General de Colegios de Terapeutas Ocupacionales's definition of occupational therapy in own language
La Terapia Ocupacional es la disciplina sociosanitaria que evalúa la capacidad de la persona (niño, adulto o mayor) para desempeñar las actividades de la vida cotidiana e interviene cuando dicha capacidad está en riesgo o dañada por cualquier causa. El Terapeuta Ocupacional utiliza, con finalidad terapéutica, la actividad con propósito y el entorno donde se realiza dicha actividad para la promoción de la salud, prevención, habilitación, mejora, mantenimiento o compensación y adaptación de las posibles limitaciones funcionales, con el objetivo de conseguir el máximo nivel de salud, autonomía personal e integración en el entorno de la persona y/o grupos, y permitir así la justicia social y una participación plena en la Comunidad.
Consejo General de Colegios de Terapeutas Ocupacionales's definition of occupational therapy in English
Occupational Therapy is a health and social discipline that evaluates the ability of the person (child, adult or older) to perform the activities of daily life and intervenes when that capacity is at risk or damage from any cause. Occupational Therapist uses meaningful activities with therapeutic purposes, as well as the environment in which such activity is performed, in order to gain health promotion, prevention, improvement, maintenance, development or compensation and adaptation of functional limitations, with the aim of achieving the highest level of Health, personal autonomy and integration in the environment of the individual and/or groups, to allow social justice and full participation in the Community.
Definition date: February 2017
Education Programmes
WFOT Approved Programmes in Spain
7