Exchanging Your Driving License on Mallorca: Process and Costs
Sandor Farkas
Mallorca expert and author
You live on Mallorca full-time and wonder whether you have to exchange your foreign driving license? The short answer depends a lot on where your license was issued. EU, EEA, and UK licenses can be swapped for a Spanish one without any test, while a US, Canadian, or Australian license generally cannot be exchanged at all and means passing the Spanish exams from scratch. This post shows you which rule applies to you, how the process works at the DGT, which documents you need, and what it all costs in 2026.
At a glance
An EU or EEA license stays valid on Mallorca and can be exchanged (canje) for a Spanish one without any exam. A UK license can also be exchanged without a test thanks to the 2023 recognition agreement, within six months of becoming resident. A US, Canadian, or Australian license cannot be exchanged: after six months of residency you must pass the full Spanish theory and practical test. The exchange runs through the DGT, costs around 75 to 100 EUR, and needs a medical fitness certificate.
What exchanging your license on Mallorca means
Exchanging your license on Mallorca means having your foreign license converted into a Spanish document at the Spanish traffic authority DGT (Direccion General de Trafico). The Spanish procedure is called canje. You keep your existing license categories but receive a Spanish license with a Spanish validity period and are entered into the Spanish points system.
The important thing to understand: whether an exchange is even possible depends on the country that issued your license. Spain recognises and directly exchanges licenses from the EU, the EEA, and the United Kingdom, plus a list of other countries that hold a bilateral agreement. Licenses from countries without such an agreement, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, cannot be exchanged and require the Spanish driving exams.
Which rule applies to you
EU or EEA license
Recognised in Spain and exchangeable without an exam. Card-format licenses stay valid until their printed expiry date; older open-ended licenses must be exchanged after you become resident.
UK license
Exchangeable without a driving test under the recognition agreement in force since 2023. If your residency began after 16 March 2023, you have six months to exchange it.
US, Canadian, or Australian license
No exchange agreement with Spain. You may drive on your home license plus an International Driving Permit for up to six months after becoming resident, then you must obtain a Spanish license by passing the theory and practical tests.
Other non-EU countries
Spain has agreements with a number of further countries. Check the official DGT list to see whether your license can be exchanged or whether the exams apply.
Heads-up: do not sit on it
Whatever your license, once your grace period ends you may be driving without a license that Spain recognises. That can get expensive at a Guardia Civil check and can void your car insurance after an accident. Sort out your case early, not just before the deadline.
Exchanging an EU, EEA, or UK license step by step
If your license comes from the EU, the EEA, or the UK, the exchange is straightforward. There is no theory test, no practical test, no driving school, and no language test. You only need to complete the steps in the right order.
Book the cita previa
Book an appointment (cita previa) with the Jefatura de Trafico in Palma on the DGT website. Appointments are often taken weeks in advance, so start early.
Take the medical test
Take a vision and health test at an approved Centro de Reconocimiento (psicotecnico). The centre usually sends the result straight to the DGT.
Prepare photo and documents
Get a biometric passport photo ready, along with your NIE, empadronamiento, your foreign license, and the completed application form.
Attend the appointment and pay the tasa
Show up for the appointment, pay the DGT fee (tasa), and hand in your foreign license. You receive a temporary permit to keep driving.
Receive your Spanish license
The final Spanish license arrives by post, usually within a few weeks.
If you also want to put your car on a Spanish plate, you will find the steps in our guide to re-registering a car on Mallorca.
The documents you need
Without complete paperwork, the DGT will not process your application. Have ready:
Valid foreign license
The original, which you hand in at the appointment.
NIE number
Your Spanish foreigner identification number. For how to get it, see the guide to the NIE number.
Empadronamiento
A current proof of your registration with the municipality (certificado de empadronamiento).
Medical certificate (psicotecnico)
From an approved Centro de Reconocimiento, usually transmitted electronically.
Biometric passport photo
Passport or national ID card in the original
Completed DGT application form
Your NIE is the basic requirement for almost every errand with the authorities on the island. If you do not have it yet, read our guide to the NIE number first, before you book the appointment at the DGT.
What the exchange costs in 2026
Exchanging your license is not an expensive process, but several small items add up. The following figures are guide values for 2026 and can vary slightly depending on the Centro de Reconocimiento:
| Posten | Kosten | Dauer |
|---|---|---|
| DGT tasa (canje fee, Modelo 790 codigo 011) | approx. 28.85 EUR | one-off |
| Medical certificate (psicotecnico) | 40 to 60 EUR | one-off |
| Biometric photos | 5 to 10 EUR | one-off |
| Total approx. | 75 to 100 EUR | one-off |
Tip: a gestor saves time, not money
If dealing with the authorities in Spanish feels like too much, a gestor can handle the exchange for you. That costs extra (usually 50 to 150 EUR in fees), but it saves you the appointment search and the form stress. Whether it is worth it depends on your Spanish and your patience.
If your license cannot be exchanged
If your license comes from a country without an agreement, such as the United States, Canada, or Australia, there is no canje. After your six-month grace period as a resident, the only legal route is to obtain a Spanish license from scratch. That means enrolling at a driving school (autoescuela), taking the medical fitness test, passing the DGT theory exam, and passing the practical driving test, just like a first-time learner. The theory exam is officially available in English, which makes the process easier for many international residents. Plan for noticeably higher costs and several weeks of preparation here compared with a simple exchange.
Official sources and appointments
For deadlines and fees, always rely on the official bodies, not on forums. These pages are the binding sources:
DGT - Exchanging EU and EEA licenses
Official page of the Spanish traffic authority on exchanging EU and EEA licenses.
DGT - Exchanging non-EU licenses and country list
Official DGT overview of which non-EU countries have an exchange agreement with Spain.
DGT - Book a cita previa
Official appointment booking for the license exchange at the Jefatura de Trafico.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving on my foreign license on Mallorca? An EU or EEA license stays valid until its expiry date. A UK license is valid until you must exchange it within six months of becoming resident. A US, Canadian, or Australian license is valid for up to six months after you become resident, ideally together with an International Driving Permit, after which you need a Spanish license.
Do I have to take a test for the exchange? For an EU, EEA, or UK license there is no theory or practical test and no language test. You only need the medical certificate, the documents, and the DGT appointment. For licenses without an exchange agreement, you must pass the full Spanish exams.
How long does the exchange take? After the DGT appointment you receive a temporary permit and can keep driving. The final Spanish license usually arrives within a few weeks by post.
Conclusion
Exchanging an EU, EEA, or UK license on Mallorca is no big deal: no test, modest costs of around 75 to 100 EUR, and a clear process through the DGT. If your license is from the US, Canada, Australia, or another country without an agreement, the picture is different, and you should budget time and money for the Spanish exams. Whatever your case, check the exact rule on the official DGT pages, book your appointment early, and bring in a gestor if the language is a hurdle. For the next steps once you are mobile, see our guide to traffic rules on Mallorca.
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