As of March 5, a new act on the profession of psychologist and psychotherapist is in force in Poland. The regulations introduce, among other things, a central register of qualified specialists, intended to enable patients to verify qualifications. The changes aim to combat charlatanism in the area of mental health and to raise standards and protect the rights of individuals using psychological assistance. The new law also defines requirements for psychotherapists and introduces a transitional period for persons practicing these professions.
Register of Qualified Psychologists
The act introduces a central register listing persons with appropriate qualifications to practice as a psychologist. Thanks to the publicly accessible list, patients will gain a tool to verify the competence of the specialist they are seeing. This is intended to limit the phenomenon of practice by persons without appropriate education.
Definition of the Psychotherapist Profession
The new regulations define the profession of psychotherapist for the first time in Polish law and specify the educational pathway and requirements for its practice. Minimum standards for training and supervision, among others, will be established. This is a response to the long-postulated need to regulate this area, which had largely remained outside state control.
Transitional Periods and Sanctions
For persons already practicing the professions of psychologist and psychotherapist, the act provides for multi-year transitional periods to adapt to the new requirements. At the same time, financial sanctions will threaten for practicing psychology or psychotherapy without the required authorization. Details of the penalties are to be specified in executive regulations.
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Act on the Profession of Psychologist and Psychotherapist came into force in Poland. The reform, described in media messaging as „the end of charlatanism”, introduces comprehensive regulations aimed at raising standards in the area of mental health and increasing patient protection. A key change is the creation of a central register of qualified specialists, which is to be publicly accessible. Thanks to this database, any person seeking help will be able to verify the qualifications of a psychologist or psychotherapist. Until the new act came into force, the profession of psychologist in Poland was regulated in a limited manner, mainly through the 2001 Act on the Profession of Psychologist, which failed to keep pace with the dynamic development of this field. The profession of psychotherapist, on the other hand, remained practically unregulated, leading to a situation where practice could be conducted by persons without appropriate, standardized education. The new law precisely defines who and under what conditions can practice as a psychologist. It also establishes – for the first time in the history of Polish legislation – a legal framework for the profession of psychotherapist. Minimum requirements regarding training, supervision, and educational pathways will be specified. For persons already working in these professions, multi-year transitional periods have been introduced, allowing them to supplement their qualifications and be entered into the register. Financial penalties may be imposed on persons practicing without authorization. „Koniec z szarlatanerią. Dziś wchodzą nowe przepisy.” (The end of charlatanism. New regulations come into force today.) — The change has been met with broad public reception. For many patients and their families, the ability to verify a specialist's competence is a long-awaited tool increasing safety. The community of psychologists and psychotherapists largely supports the reform, seeing it as an opportunity to unify standards and raise professional prestige. However, voices are emerging regarding practical challenges, such as the recognition of existing diplomas or the detailed conditions for entry into the register, which are to be specified in executive acts. Full implementation of the system and assessment of its effectiveness will only be possible in several years.