Good to know · Getting around
Exchange a driving license from outside the EU
A license from outside the EU/EEA lets a new resident drive in Spain for six months at most from becoming a normal resident. After that it is no longer valid here. It can be exchanged for a Spanish license only if Spain has an exchange agreement (convenio) with the country that issued it; otherwise the holder must obtain a new Spanish license.
- Why it matters
- Driving on a foreign license after the six months is driving without a valid license in Spain. Whether you can simply exchange or must take Spanish tests depends entirely on the country that issued your license.
- When
- You become resident in Spain holding a driving license issued outside the EU/EEA.
- How long it takes
- Exchange before six months from becoming resident.
- Official page
- Países con convenio de canjes
- Last checked
- 20 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 4 steps, what to bring (5 items), and tips and what to watch for, with every official source.