Guide: Transport & Logistics
License Exchange (Canje) in Spain: Country-by-Country Basics
A practical 2026 guide to License Exchange (Canje) in Spain: Country-by-Country Basics for expats moving to Spain, with clear steps, required documents, and timeline planning.
Spain can absolutely improve your quality of life, but bureaucracy and planning mistakes can make this part of the move expensive. This guide covers License Exchange (Canje) in Spain: Country-by-Country Basics so you can quickly identify if your country agreement allows exchange and what evidence is needed.
Last reviewed on February 12, 2026. Rules, office criteria, and processing times can change. Confirm current requirements with official sources before filing or paying fees.
Clear promise
By the end of this guide, you should be able to make a confident go/no-go decision and execute the next steps without guessing.
Quick reality check
This path is usually a good fit if:
- You plan to drive regularly and want to stay legal from day one.
- You can gather documents and complete medical/admin steps in sequence.
This path is harder if:
- You depend on a car immediately but your license status is unresolved.
- You move between cities without checking local driving restrictions first.
Decision questions to answer first
- Is your issuing country currently covered by a valid canje agreement?
- Do agreement conditions include partial exams or additional checks?
- What deadline applies after becoming resident in Spain?
Step-by-step main guidance
1. Confirm current agreement status for your issuing country.
2. Collect country-specific document requirements before booking.
3. Complete medical and fee steps in correct sequence.
4. Attend appointment with originals and organized copies.
5. Track issuance and avoid driving assumptions during pending status.
Costs, timing, and required documents
Use these ranges for planning, not as guarantees:
- Eligibility and document check: 1 to 2 weeks.
- Appointments and tests/exchange processing: 2 to 12 weeks by province.
- Vehicle compliance updates: variable by city and vehicle type.
Core documents to prepare:
- Original valid license and identity documents.
- Residency proof establishing start of deadline window.
- Country-specific supporting documents and translations.
- Medical exam certificate when required by procedure.
- Appointment confirmations and fee payment receipts.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Using outdated canje lists and preparing the wrong document set.
- Assuming identical requirements across all agreement countries.
- Driving under assumptions from another country instead of Spanish limits.
Final action plan: what to do this week
- Verify your country status on official DGT channels.
- Build a country-specific canje checklist with deadlines.
- Book medical exam and appointment slots early.
- Create a no-drive contingency if timeline slips.