This species is associated with wet cool deciduous, mixed, or rarely, coniferous forests with well shaded brooks and small rivers. Within the mountain forest belt, the species can be found in woodlands, glades and forest edges, rocky slopes, dense bush, and herbaceous vegetation. It is possible, that the occurrence of Salamandra salamandra on woodless mountain pastures and within hayfields indicates the past existence of forests. In the Iberian Peninsula the species may be found in upland Mediterranean type forest and associated habitats. The species prefers microhabitats covered with dense leaf-litter and moss. It does tolerate some habitat modification, and has even been found in gardens. In general, the female gives birth to well-developed larvae, that complete metamorphosis in streams, ponds and still waters. However, the subspecies, S. s. bernardezi and S. s. fastusa may give birth to two to eight fully metamorphosed young on land.

Generation length has been estimated to be 7–15 years.

This species is endemic to Europe, where it is present across much of central, eastern and southern Europe. In the former Soviet Union, it is only known from the mountains and foothills of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The subpopulations of this species in Iberia are very fragmented (there is a small area of occupancy within the wider extent of occurrence). It occurs from lowland areas up to 2,500 m asl (in central Spain).

Some subpopulations of Salamandra species reported from western Anatolia (Türkiye, not mapped) require further investigation and are coded as 'Presence Uncertain' until that has been done; there is at present no records of the species in Anatolia, though suitable habitat occurs there (J. Speybroeck pers. comm. October 2022).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention and is protected by national legislation over much of its range. It occurs in many protected areas, and is listed in a number of national and sub national Red Data Books and Lists. Some subpopulations of this salamander are being monitored (e.g. central Spain, Zlote Mountains [southwestern Poland, East Sudety Mountains]). 

Bsal is included in Annex II of EU regulation 2018/1882 of the Animal Health Law, which means Bsal should be mitigated (the legislation explicitly mentions wild animals). However, mitigation efforts are currently not coordinated at an EU scale, and consist of mostly local initiatives which are currently limited to ex situ efforts [in the Netherlands] and preventing spread through informing the public [in Belgium and the Netherlands] (F. Pasmans and A. Martel pers. comm. August 2021). There has been a single attempt to actively contain a Bsal outbreak (in northern Spain) using fencing, host removal, disinfection and perimeter surveillance but it is unknown to what extent this has been able to continue during 2020-2021 (F. Pasmans and A. Martel pers. comm. August 2021).

Conservation Needed
There is also an urgent need for a EU (European Union) wide coordinated approach and implementation of the Bsal Action Plan by Gilbert et al. (2020), which was commissioned by the European Commission. 

Research Needed
Further research is also required into the impacts of chytridiomycosis on this salamander.