Updated: May 20, 2025
What’s New?
Spain has launched a new digital-only system for exchanging foreign driver’s licenses, but only for countries that have a special agreement with Spain (called a bilateral agreement).
You can see the full list of eligible countries here: List of countries with an exchange agreement
This new system:
- Speeds up the process.
- Frees up more in-person appointments for other services.
- 100% online, except for handing in your original foreign license and picking up a temporary Spanish driving permit.
What You Need to Use the Online System
You must:
- Be registered with Cl@ve,
- Or have a digital certificate,
- Or appoint someone else to handle it for you (via the power of attorney register).
How It Works
- You apply online through the DGT’s Electronic Office. (You can change the language on the right hand side clicking the down arrow where you see the word “Bienvenido”.
- If you’re from one of these countries:
Argentina, Andorra, UK, Peru, Ukraine, Uruguay, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, Monaco,
no prior verification is needed, and you can go straight to the application. - If you’re from one of the following countries:
Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Philippines, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldova, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Serbia, Tunisia, or Turkey,
your license must be verified first by your home country.- Once your country confirms the license is valid, you’ll receive an email with instructions and a code to continue.
- If they reject it, the DGT will inform you that the exchange cannot proceed.
- Regardless of your country, you’ll need to specify which license categories you want to exchange.
- For heavy vehicle licenses (like trucks and buses), you may need to take additional tests, depending on your country of origin.
What Documents Are Required?
You must submit the following:
- Valid ID: Passport, national ID (DNI), or foreign residency card.
- Proof of residence in Spain: This could be your DNI, residence card, EU citizen registration certificate, or other documents requested.
- You can also authorize the DGT to check your address online, but if this fails, you’ll need to provide proof manually.
- Proof you didn’t live in Spain when your license was issued:
- If you have a Spanish DNI and obtained Spanish nationality in your home country before moving to Spain, you must request a Certificate of Consular Registration and Deregistration from the Spanish Embassy that issued your license.
- Otherwise, you must provide:
- Foreigner ID, residency card, or student card.
- Or certificate of registration in the foreigner registry.
- Original driver’s license: It must be valid and current.
- Medical fitness report: Issued by an authorized Driver Recognition Center, based on the type of license you’re exchanging.
- Payment of the fee: This depends on whether you need extra tests (Fee 2.1 or Fee 2.3).
Final Steps
Once your application is complete, the Traffic Office will review it.
- If something is missing or unclear, you’ll get an email to fix it—or your request may be denied, with reasons provided.
- If everything is in order, they will approve your request and tell you when to visit the office:
- Submit your valid foreign license.
- Receive your temporary driving permit.
Later, they send your permanent Spanish license to your home by mail.