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Administrative

Exchanging a foreign driving licence (canje)

If you live in Spain with a foreign driving licence, you may need to exchange it for a Spanish one. EU and EEA licences remain valid while in force; others are valid for at most six months after you become resident and, as a general rule, can only be exchanged if Spain has an agreement with that country. We prepare your documents and support you through the DGT procedure.

By Aida Elias Soguero, ICAB member no. 44021 · Updated on 14 October 2026

In brief

Who it is for
Residents of Spain holding a driving licence from an EU or EEA country, or from a country that has an exchange agreement with Spain.
Where it is handled
At a Provincial Traffic Office (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) of the DGT, by appointment; in the province of Barcelona, at the Barcelona Provincial Traffic Office.
Validity of the foreign licence
EU and EEA: while it remains in force. Other countries: a maximum of six months after you acquire normal residence in Spain, unless the agreement provides otherwise.
Fees
We quote them in the first consultation (€40), with the option to pay in instalments.

Requirements

  • Having normal residence in Spain: an EU citizen registration certificate or a valid residence card (TIE).
  • A licence that is in force, issued in the EU or EEA or in a country with a current exchange agreement with Spain.
  • For licences from non-EU countries, having obtained it before becoming a legal resident in Spain or before the agreement was signed; the DGT notes some exceptions.
  • Application on the official form, photograph, declaration that you are not banned from driving by a court, and the original licence with a photocopy.
  • For licences from non-EU countries, a medical fitness report from an authorised driver medical assessment centre (centro de reconocimiento de conductores).
  • For licences from non-EU countries, a signed declaration taking responsibility for its authenticity and validity and, where applicable, an official translation.
  • If a non-EU licence covers lorries or buses (categories C and D), you will normally need to pass a practical test and sometimes a theory test.

How we help you

  1. We study your case

    We check the issuing country and date of your licence, the date you became resident and whether the agreement allows a direct exchange or requires tests.

  2. We prepare the documents

    We tell you which documents the DGT requires for your country —some require a certificate of the licence's issue date— and check translations and legalisations.

  3. Appointment and application

    We help you book the appointment and pay the fee. When you apply, you hand in the original licence and the DGT issues a temporary licence.

  4. Follow-up

    We follow the application until the Spanish licence is issued and, if it is refused, we consider with you the appropriate appeal.

Frequently asked questions

More than six months have passed since I became resident. Can I still exchange my licence?

If your country has an agreement, generally yes: after that period you can still apply for the exchange, but you cannot drive in Spain with the foreign licence until you have the Spanish one, unless the agreement provides otherwise.

My country has no agreement with Spain. What are my options?

As a general rule an exchange is not possible and you will need to obtain a Spanish licence by passing the tests. Professional drivers have an exchange route which requires, among other things, passing a road test and having been employed as a professional driver for at least six months by companies established in Spain.

I have a licence from another EU country. Do I have to exchange it?

No. It is valid in Spain while it remains in force and the exchange is optional. If your licence has no expiry date, you must renew it once you have had normal residence in Spain for two years.

Legislation

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