Everything you need to know about using, exchanging, and updating your driving licence in Spain
Driving in Spain comes with different rules depending on whether you hold a UK licence, an EU licence, or you’re newly resident in the country. This updated 2026 guide explains the current requirements for residents, newcomers, and anyone planning to bring a vehicle into Spain.
🇬🇧 Driving in Spain With a UK Licence
If you are legally resident in Spain, your UK driving licence is valid for 6 months from the date you obtain residency. After this period, you must exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one to continue driving legally.
If you are visiting Spain as a tourist, your UK licence remains valid for the duration of your stay.
🔄 Exchanging a UK Licence for a Spanish Licence
Since March 2023, the UK and Spain have a full reciprocal driving licence exchange agreement. This means:
✔️ No driving test required
You can exchange your UK licence directly for a Spanish licence without taking a theory or practical exam.
✔️ Eligible licences
- UK (England, Scotland, Wales)
- Northern Ireland
- Gibraltar
❌ Not eligible (test required)
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- Isle of Man
🧾 Documents Required for UK Licence Exchange
To exchange your UK licence (canje), you will need:
- Original UK driving licence
- DVLA driving summary (PDF + code)
- Valid passport
- TIE card or green residency certificate
- Recent padrón certificate (issued within 3 months)
- Medical fitness certificate (Certificado de aptitud psicofísica)
- Passport photo (or digital photo at DGT offices)
- Completed DGT application form
- Payment of the DGT fee (Tasa 2.3)
💻 The Exchange Process (2026)
The DGT now uses a digital pre‑application system, making the process faster and more streamlined.
What to expect:
- Submit your details online
- Attend your appointment at the DGT
- Hand over your UK licence
- Receive a temporary Spanish driving permit (valid only in Spain)
- Your final Spanish licence arrives by post within a few weeks
🇪🇺 Driving in Spain With an EU Licence
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals benefit from freedom of movement, but there are still rules to follow once you become a resident.
✔️ If you are an EU citizen newly resident in Spain
Your EU driving licence remains valid in Spain until it expires.
However, you must exchange it for a Spanish licence if:
- Your EU licence expires
- Your licence is lost or stolen
- You commit a traffic offence that requires re‑issuing a licence
- You voluntarily choose to exchange it
✔️ When must EU citizens exchange their licence?
You must exchange your EU licence if:
- It has no expiry date
- It is valid for more than 15 years (Group 1: cars/motorcycles)
- It is valid for more than 5 years (Group 2: professional categories)
Spain requires licences to meet its own renewal standards, so long‑validity licences must be converted.
✔️ Documents required for EU licence exchange
- Valid EU driving licence
- Passport or national ID
- TIE or EU residency certificate
- Padrón certificate (within 3 months)
- Medical fitness certificate
- Passport photo
- DGT application form
- Payment of the DGT fee
✔️ Do EU citizens need to take a test?
No — EU licences are exchanged without a driving test.
🇬🇧 Driving in the UK With a Spanish Licence
You can use your Spanish licence in the UK for short visits. If you move back to the UK, you can exchange your Spanish licence for a UK licence without taking a test.
🆘 Lost, Stolen, or Expired UK Licences
If your UK licence is lost, stolen, or expired after you become a resident in Spain, you cannot renew it in the UK.
Instead, you must request a Certificate of Entitlement from the DVLA and use it to apply for a Spanish licence.
🚘 Bringing a UK‑Registered Vehicle to Spain
If you become a resident or spend more than 6 months per year in Spain, you must register your UK‑plated vehicle with Spanish authorities.
✔️ Key rules:
- Residents must register their vehicle within 30 days of residency
- Non‑residents may drive a UK‑plated car for up to 6 months per year
- UK insurance may become invalid after extended stays abroad
✔️ Tax exemptions
You may be exempt from import taxes if:
- You owned the vehicle for at least 6 months
- You lived in the UK for 12+ months before moving
🧭 Summary of Driving Rules in Spain (2026)
For UK residents
- UK licences valid for 6 months after residency
- Must exchange to continue driving
- No test required under the UK–Spain agreement
For EU residents
- EU licences valid until expiry
- Must exchange if licence has no expiry or exceeds Spanish validity limits
- No test required
For all residents
- Medical certificate required for licence exchange
- Vehicle registration required within 30 days of residency
- Temporary permit issued while waiting for your Spanish licence