Exchange of Foreign Driving Licence in Spain: Complete Guide

If you are a foreign resident in Spain or have returned after living abroad, you may wish to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one. The process varies depending on the country of origin of the licence. We explain everything to you.

Which countries have an exchange agreement with Spain?

Spain has reciprocity agreements for the exchange of driving licences with several countries. The main groups are:

European Union / EEA Countries

Driving licences from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are automatically recognised in Spain and do not require exchange. They are valid directly throughout Spanish territory.

Countries with exchange agreements

Spain has exchange agreements with numerous countries, including:

• Latin American countries (with variations by country): Andorra, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, and others
• The list is updated periodically — check the DGT website to verify the current status

Countries without an agreement

If your licence is from a country without an agreement with Spain, direct exchange is not possible. You will have to take the theoretical and practical driving tests in Spain as if you have never held a licence.

General requirements for the exchange

To exchange a foreign licence for a Spanish one, you need:

1. Legal residence in Spain — registration and NIE
2. Valid foreign licence — it cannot be expired
3. Medical and psychotechnical examination at a centre authorised by the DGT
4. Documentation — NIE, original licence, photocopy, and official translation if the licence is not in the Latin alphabet or in an official EU language
5. Payment of corresponding fees

The medical examination for the exchange

Regardless of the country of origin of the licence, the exchange requires passing the same medical examination as any Spanish renewal. It includes:

• Visual examination
• Hearing ability
• Psychotechnical test
• General medical examination

The result is the Spanish provisional licence, which is valid for 6 months while the DGT processes the definitive licence.

Where to process the exchange

The exchange process begins at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters in your province. In Málaga, the Traffic Headquarters is located at C. Max Estrella 12, 29006.

Before going to Traffic, you must have undergone the medical examination at an authorised centre like ours to obtain the fitness report.

Step-by-step process

1. Book an appointment
2. Undergo the medical examination — at our centre, it takes less than 20 minutes
3. Gather all required documentation (original licence, translations if applicable, NIE, registration)
4. Request a prior appointment at the Traffic Headquarters in Málaga (DGT electronic headquarters)
5. Attend the appointment with all documentation and the medical report
6. Submit the foreign licence — the DGT retains it and issues you the Spanish licence

What types of licence will you receive?

The Spanish licence you will receive corresponds to the categories you have validated on your foreign licence, provided there is equivalence between the categories of the country of origin and the Spanish categories.

Practical tips

• Always check the official DGT website for the status of the agreement with your country, as it may change
• If your licence is about to expire, process the exchange as soon as possible
• Keep a photocopy of all documentation submitted to Traffic