The title and how it is regulated
The European Union does not regulate health professions; it only organises the mutual recognition of qualifications (Directive 2005/36/EC). Doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists are recognised automatically from one member state to another; psychologists fall under the general system, examined case by case. “Sexologist” or “sex therapist” is a regulated profession in no member state, so there is nothing to recognise: a sexology diploma from one country confers no particular right in another.
Two private certifications issued at European level serve as the benchmark. The FECSM title (Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine), created by the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM), is for doctors and has been awarded by examination since 2012. The ECPS title (European Certified Psycho-Sexologist), run by the European Federation of Sexology together with the ESSM, is for psychologists and other non-physicians. Neither has legal force, but either one on a practitioner's door signals someone who has sat an examination and accepted a code of ethics.
Directive 2011/24/EU on cross-border healthcare lets you receive care in another member state and claim reimbursement from your own insurer, at your home country's rate. It only applies to care that would be reimbursed at home: a doctor's consultation, a psychotherapy your system covers. A session with a non-medical sex therapist, which is reimbursed almost nowhere, does not become reimbursable because it took place abroad.
Each member state's national contact point, created by that directive, will tell you before you travel what will be reimbursed and on what conditions.
Key points
| Title of sexologist / sex therapist | Protected in no member state |
|---|---|
| Professions recognised automatically | Doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist (Directive 2005/36/EC) |
| Psychologists and psychotherapists | Case-by-case recognition under the general system |
| European medical certification | FECSM, by examination, European Society for Sexual Medicine |
| European non-medical certification | ECPS, European Federation of Sexology and ESSM |
| Care in another member state | Directive 2011/24/EU: reimbursement at the home rate, for care reimbursable at home |
In practice
- Ask about the underlying profession before the sexology diploma: that is what is recognised and regulated across borders, not sexology.
- The ESSM and European Federation of Sexology directories list FECSM and ECPS certified practitioners.
- Before a consultation abroad, ask your national contact point; a written answer avoids surprises on your return.
Cost and reimbursement
No European funding exists: cost and reimbursement depend entirely on your country of insurance and the practitioner's status.
What has changed recently
The ECPS title has been awarded since the mid-2010s and the number of holders remains modest; most serious European practitioners work under their original title, doctor or psychologist, with a national university diploma in sexology.
Where to go
- European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM): directory of FECSM doctors.
- European Federation of Sexology (EFS): national member societies and ECPS holders.
- National contact point for cross-border healthcare, one per member state.
Worth knowing
A sign reading “European sexologist” or “EU-qualified” means nothing: there is no European diploma in sexology. Only FECSM and ECPS are identifiable certifications.
Frequently asked questions
Is my sexology diploma from one EU country recognised in another?
It does not need to be: sexology is regulated in neither. What must be recognised is the original title — psychologist, doctor — under Directive 2005/36/EC.
Can I be reimbursed for a sex therapist seen in another EU country?
Only if the same service would be reimbursed at home: a doctor's consultation, a covered psychotherapy. Reimbursement is then at your own insurer's rate.
What does the FECSM title guarantee?
That the practitioner is a doctor who passed the European examination in sexual medicine. It guarantees neither registration with a medical council nor a fee level.
Official sources and links
- World Health Organization — international reference on this topic
- WHO Regional Office for Africa — country data and programmes