Exchanging a Foreign License
If you live in Spain and hold a foreign driving license, in most cases you are required to either register it or exchange it for a Spanish one. Once 6 months have passed since obtaining residency, you are no longer allowed to drive with a foreign license, except in specifically provided cases. Violating this can result in a fine of up to €500
Holders of an EU license + Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway can
- Simply register their license in the system;
- Or exchange it for a Spanish one without taking any exams
Licenses issued in third countries can be exchanged if a bilateral agreement with Spain exists — without taking any exams.
These countries include, for example: Argentina, Ukraine, Colombia, Peru, Turkey, Moldova, Japan, Korea, Uruguay, Georgia, and others.
If there is no agreement, you'll need to take the exams in Spain under the general requirements
To do this, your license must be valid, you must not be disqualified from driving, and you must hold a document proving your Spanish residency (TIE or CUE)
These countries include, for example: Argentina, Ukraine, Colombia, Peru, Turkey, Moldova, Japan, Korea, Uruguay, Georgia, and others.
If there is no agreement, you'll need to take the exams in Spain under the general requirements
To do this, your license must be valid, you must not be disqualified from driving, and you must hold a document proving your Spanish residency (TIE or CUE)
How We Handle License Exchanges from Third Countries
1) We check your documents and prepare the file:
• Passport / TIE / CUE;
• Original driving license (it will be withdrawn);
• Medical certificate of psychophysical fitness, after a brief check-up;
• Photo;
• Exchange application and proof of payment of the government fee.
2) Authenticity check
The DGT requests confirmation of your license from the country that issued it. It's important that it is valid and not falsified
3) Once confirmed, you'll receive a temporary document until your Spanish license arrives, which will be sent to you by post
1) We check your documents and prepare the file:
• Passport / TIE / CUE;
• Original driving license (it will be withdrawn);
• Medical certificate of psychophysical fitness, after a brief check-up;
• Photo;
• Exchange application and proof of payment of the government fee.
2) Authenticity check
The DGT requests confirmation of your license from the country that issued it. It's important that it is valid and not falsified
3) Once confirmed, you'll receive a temporary document until your Spanish license arrives, which will be sent to you by post
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can a license that was already exchanged once be exchanged again?
No — if your current license is itself the result of an earlier exchange in another country, Spain will not exchange it.
01 - Can a license obtained after getting Spanish residency be exchanged?No — a driving license cannot be exchanged if it was obtained after your Spanish residency was granted02
You can always reach out to me for legal assistance. This will help you avoid mistakes when gathering documents and filing your application.