What you need to know about swapping your non-EU license in Spain

Online exchange of driving licenses means no more long queues

If you’ve ever tried to swap your non-EU driving licence for a Spanish one, you’ll know the old routine—hours lost at the traffic office, stacks of paperwork, and a real test of patience just to keep driving legally. The good news is that those days are now (mostly over): the DGT finally launched an online system to allow you to complete nearly all the paperwork. Yes, it works.

DGT digitalizes: Online license swap in Spain

We’re not going to lie, dealing with Spanish government bureaucracy was never the highlight of our lives. Up to now, you had to chase down an appointment at your local Tráfico office—sometimes waiting weeks, just for someone to look at your pile of forms. You can now start the entire process at home, on your laptop, while enjoying a cup of coffee. Thanks to the new digital system launched by DGT in May.

Log in to their portal online (yes, the language is Spanish but Google Translate will help you) and upload your documents. The days of wrestling for a slot at the Jefatura are gone—at least, until the very last step. In a second, I will elaborate on this.

What documents will you need to exchange your Spanish driving license online?

This isn’t a simple “take a photo, upload your old license and you’re good to go” type of thing. Spain is very official so there’s a check list.

• Your original and valid driving license You can also use your own country.
• Proof of residence in Spain You can register online or by submitting your TIE.
• Recent medical certificate (aptitude psychofísica) showing you’re fit to drive.
• For pro licences (like lorry drivers), It may include a test.

The DGT may want to confirm that the licence you have is genuine. This will depend on the country from which it is issued. Some countries respond quickly, others can be… less speedy.

Register with Cl@ve, or use a digital certification. If that sounds like a tech nightmare, don’t panic—you can ask someone (like a gestor) to help, or authorise them to represent you.

When do you need to visit Tráfico for your licence exchange in Spain?

The DGT will update you with any updates and requests for additional information if necessary. When they say you’re good to go, you just make one trip to your local Tráfico office—no long wait required—to hand in your original licence and pick up your Spanish provisional permit. You will receive your Spanish driving licence by mail. Done.

Which countries experience delays with Spain’s online license exchange?

Don’t be surprised when the DGT says that you’ll have to wait longer if your license is from Morocco, Argentina or New Zealand. The DGT has to check with your home country and paperwork can sometimes move at the pace of summer Spanish traffic.

Why should you go digital?

DGT says that it’s not just about saving you time. This is also about eliminating bogus licences and ensuring that the process is transparent for all. For most people, this really does mean less hassle and more certainty—no more mysteries about where your paperwork is stuck.

Before you dive in, here are a few tips to help you get started.

• Double-check your documents before you start—the system can be picky.
• If you hit a wall with the tech, consider using a gestor—they do this all the time.
• Keep calm if you experience a delay. This is particularly important if your nation is on the list.
• Keep your temporary permit until you receive your real license.

This new digital process, which is much more efficient than the old method of exchanging a non-EU license in Spain after years of horror stories, is truly a breath fresher for anyone who has heard horror stories over the past few decades. The process won’t be completed in just five minutes but you can now do the majority of it from home.