FPSICO Methodology (Spain INSST): A Practical Guide

What FPSICO is and why it will land on your desk

FPSICO 4.1 is the psychosocial risk assessment methodology developed by the Spanish National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INSST). It is free, official, and the most widely used tool in Spain. From January 2, 2027, Spanish employers are required to assess psychosocial risk. You can use FPSICO or another recognised methodology, but this is the default reference for most labour inspections.

It is not an engagement survey. It measures working conditions that can cause psychological harm.

The 9 factors it measures

FPSICO evaluates nine factors through a 44-item questionnaire answered by employees:

–Working time: shifts, breaks, weekend work.
–Autonomy: over time and decisions.
–Workload: quantity, pace, time pressure.
–Psychological demands: cognitive and emotional load.
–Variety and content: meaning and monotony of tasks.
–Participation and supervision.
–Interest in the worker and compensation: development, stability, information.
–Role performance: role clarity and role conflict.
–Social relationships and support: peer support, conflict, violence at work.

Each factor is scored as adequate, moderate, high or very high exposure, and benchmarked against Spanish working population percentiles.

How to administer it

–Population: the entire workforce. Under 30 people, everyone responds. Over 30, statistically representative sample.
–Anonymity: mandatory.
–Format: paper or digital questionnaire. Free download from the INSST website.
–Time per worker: 20 to 30 minutes.
–Full process duration: 4 to 8 weeks.
–Prior communication: worker representatives must be informed before launch.

What you get out

Exposure level for each of the 9 factors. Population percentiles (where your company sits versus the Spanish average). Breakdown by analysis units. Data to plan preventive measures.

The report feeds into your risk assessment and prevention plan. If exposure is high on any factor, you must plan corrective measures and reassess.

When to apply it

The mandatory deadline is January 2, 2027. Start earlier: first-time data always needs an adjustment cycle, and occupational health services will be saturated in Q4 2026.

Recognised alternatives

–CoPsoQ ISTAS21: Spanish adaptation of the Danish questionnaire.
–RED-WONT Method: developed by Universitat Jaume I.

FPSICO is the most neutral and the least likely to generate friction with the Labour Inspectorate.

See how Harmony helps you prepare the FPSICO assessment →

Natalia Cuadrado is the founder of Harmony.