Portugal's Bloco de Esquerda questions SNS psychology waiting times

The Bloco de Esquerda (BE) political party has formally questioned the Portuguese government regarding long waiting times for initial psychology consultations within the National Health Service (SNS). According to the head of the Portuguese Association of Psychologists, waiting periods can reach up to six months.

BE representatives characterized the government's plan to add 300 psychologists to primary healthcare by December 2026 as ‘clearly insufficient’ to meet demand. The party noted that the shortage forces many citizens toward the private sector, which remains unaffordable for hundreds of thousands of people facing high living costs, housing crises, and low wages.

Currently, the SNS employs approximately 1,200 psychologists, with 500 in primary care and 500 in hospitals. The BE highlighted data from the University of Coimbra indicating that Portugal has the second-highest prevalence of psychiatric diseases in Europe and ranks first in the Small Business Prices index regarding burnout risk. The Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses estimates that over 2.3 million Portuguese people require psychological support.