Morphological and molecular research by Fitze et al. (2011, 2012) concluded that Psammodromus hispanicus represented a complex of three species. The available name for the eastern lineage is Psammodromus edwarsianus (incorrectly given in some sources as P. edwardsianus), and Fitze et al. (2012) described the western lineage as Psammodromus occidentalis. This arrangement was supported by the findings of Mendes et al. (2017), and accepted by Speybroeck et al. (2020). Faria et al. (2021) found "notable" mitochrondrial diversity within P. occidentalis, suggesting that the taxonomy of this species may warrant further investigation.

This species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula in Europe. It is assessed as Least Concern on the basis that it is widespread and subject to only localised threats.

This species is endemic to Europe, where it has a wide range in Portugal and western Spain, ranging through most of the western and central Iberian Peninsula except the far north and northwest (Speybroeck et al. 2016). It occurs from sea level to 1,330 m asl, but most records are from below 300 m (Malkmus 2004).

This species occurs in low densities across its range, and so far as is known, is never as abundant as the related Spanish and Edwards's Psammodromus (Fitze 2012). The highest reported density at the time of this work was 12.5 individuals /ha (recorded by Delibes and Salvador 1986 in the Cantabrian Mountains). The population is believed to be stable overall, although with strong inter-annual fluctuations (Fitze 2012).

This lizard is associated with areas of loose soil, particularly those with sparse Mediterranean scrub, but is also found in oak woodland, coastal dunes, heathland, grassland, pine forest, fallow land, and bare sandy or stony areas such as riverbeds and quarries (Delibes and Salvador 1986, Guillaume 1997). It favours grassy microhabitats with dense shade-providing low herbs and shrubs, but avoids wooded areas and those with tall bushes (Fitze 2012). An association with foxglove, preferentially used as a refuge in one study, has been suggested but appears to be an artefact of the study site, and no particular associations with specific plants are known (Fitze 2012). It is almost exclusively found in areas that receive less than 1,000 mm of annual rainfall (Fitze 2012).

It is generally active between February and November, but may be crepuscular in summer (Speybroeck et al. 2016). Females lay three to six eggs per clutch and two clutches may be laid in a year (Speybroeck et al. 2016). The species' lifespan is not much greater than two years (Speybroeck et al. 2016), and many males die after their first reproductive season (Arnold and Ovenden 2002).

The loss of scrubland may be a local threat, driven primarily by intensive agriculture, fire and urbanisation - the latter especially in coastal areas (Fitze 2012). As it occurs in low densities throughout its range, it may be slow to recolonise following any local extinctions (Fitze 2012).

There is no information on any use of or trade in this species.

This species occurs in the Natura 2000 protected area network. Conservation measures should focus on the management of succession processes, as closed habitats are unsuitable for this species (Fitze 2012).