Who may practise Head Spa? The rules country by country
Updated 27 October 2026 · official sources cited for each country
In brief
Everywhere in Europe, wellbeing massage with no therapeutic aim is the most open case. Hair washing and hair care fall under hairdressing in France, Belgium (Brussels and Wallonia), Luxembourg, Italy and Germany; Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Flanders are more open.
| Country | Status | In brief |
|---|---|---|
| France | Proceed with care | Massage unrestricted, washing and hair care regulated |
| Belgium | Proceed with care | Access to the profession regulated in Brussels and Wallonia, free in Flanders |
| Switzerland | Open | No federal diploma, devices regulated |
| Luxembourg | Proceed with care | Business permit required, hairdressing requires a master craftsman certificate |
| United Kingdom | Open | No state diploma, local licence may apply |
| Germany | Proceed with care | Hairdressing requires the Meister, head spa status unresolved |
| Netherlands | Open | Classed as wellness by the tax authority |
| Spain | Not documented | No specific rules found |
| Italy | Restricted | Hair treatments reserved for the acconciatore |
| Portugal | Open | Neither hairdressing nor beauty therapy is regulated |
Summary of the rules as at the date shown, not legal advice.