The grey willow distribution is mostly Atlantic from Western Europe and North Africa to some Mediterranean islands.

Naturally growing in Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, it is very common in the Iberian Peninsula, and is also found in Corsica.

The grey willow lives in freshly disturbed land, with preference for acidic soil, but this is a very hardy species and is even found on beaches near the sea and on islands.

It grows in sandy or gravel shores of rivers, streams and ponds, meadows, valleys and hedgerows with some soil moisture, and is found from sea level to 2,000 m altitude, to the subalpine level.

A forest of S. atrocinerea occupies the eastern end of Cortegada Island in permanently or temporarily waterlogged soils, and a mixed forest with Alnus glutinosa occupies the end west side.