Licence Exchange
Living in Spain? Don’t forget to exchange your driving licence!
If you’ve officially become a resident in Spain, one of the most important things you must do is exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one.
Failing to do so can result in fines of up to €500, and you may not be legally allowed to drive once your initial grace period expires. Here’s everything you need to know:

🇪🇺 EU/EEA Countries:
You can use your licence until it expires, but once it does, you must exchange it.
In some cases (like medical restrictions), Spain may require an earlier exchange.
🌍 Non-EU Countries with Exchange Agreement
Spain has bilateral agreements with the following countries — you must request the exchange within 6 months of becoming a resident:
Click here an read the Full list of countries and the exchange costs from the DGT official website:
https://www.dgt.es/nuestros-servicios/permisos-de-conducir/permisos-extranjeros-y-de-fuerzas-y-cuerpos-de-seguridad/canjes-de-permisos/paises-con-convenio-de-canjes/
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