Guidance

Driving in the EU: UK licence holders living in the EU

Driving licence exchange and rules for driving in EU countries.

UK and EU driving licences

If you live in the EU, you will not be able to renew your driving licence in the UK.

Consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU licence as soon as possible in line with specific advice for your country of residence.

If your UK licence is lost, stolen or expired, you may not be able to exchange it for an EU licence. You may have to apply for an EU licence and retake your driving test. Please check with the licensing authority in your country of residence if your licence is lost, stolen or expired.

Check the driving advice for the country you live in.

Austria

You can exchange your licence before 1 July 2021 without having to take a test.

Driving in Austria.

Belgium

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.

Driving in Belgium.

Bulgaria

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.

Driving in Bulgaria.

Croatia

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Croatia.

Cyprus

You can continue to use your licence without exchanging until 7 July 2021. You are encouraged to exchange your licence within this period otherwise you may need to take a test. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.

Driving in Cyprus.

Czech Republic

Most drivers can exchange their licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence issued by the Isle of Man, you will need to take a test to exchange your licence.

Driving in the Czech Republic.

Denmark

If your UK or Gibraltar photocard licence was issued before 1 January 2021, you can exchange your licence without having to take a test. You need to do this within 180 days of taking up residency in Denmark, or by 30 June 2021, whichever is later.

If your licence was issued after 1 January 2021, or if your licence was issued by Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test to exchange some categories.

Driving in Denmark.

Estonia

Most drivers can exchange their licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence issued by the Isle of Man, you will need to take a test to exchange your licence.

Driving in Estonia.

Finland

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test for licence categories A1, A2, A or B. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Finland.

France

You can continue to use your licence until 1 January 2022. You may need to take a test if you want to exchange your licence. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test to drive in France.

Driving in France.

Germany

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. You should exchange your UK licence for a German one within 6 months of becoming resident or by 30 June 2021, whichever is later. You may need to take a test if you hold a licence from Gibraltar.

Driving in Germany.

Greece

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test from 1 February 2021. A medical – physical and eye – examination will be required.

Driving in Greece.

Hungary

Most drivers can exchange their licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence issued by the Isle of Man, you will need to take a test to exchange your licence.

Driving in Hungary.

Iceland

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Iceland.

Ireland

UK and Northern Ireland licence holders’ resident in the Republic of Ireland must exchange their driving licence for an Irish licence. UK and Northern Ireland licences aren’t legal for driving in Ireland. However, they can be exchanged without the need to take a driving or theory test.

Driving in Ireland.

Italy

You may need to take a test to exchange your licence.

Driving in Italy.

Latvia

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Latvia.

Liechtenstein

Most drivers can exchange their licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence issued by the Isle of Man, you will need to take a test to exchange your licence.

Driving in Liechtenstein.

Lithuania

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test if you obtained the licence before 1 January 2021. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Lithuania.

Luxembourg

Most drivers can exchange their licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. You may need to take a test to exchange Category C and D licences in 2021.

Driving in Luxembourg.

Malta

You can continue to use your licence until 1 July 2021. From 1 July 2021, you will need to take a test to exchange your licence. Consider exchanging your licence as soon as possible. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man you may need to take a test.

Driving in Malta.

The Netherlands

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in the Netherlands.

Norway

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Norway.

Poland

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.

Driving in Poland.

Portugal

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Driving in Portugal.

Romania

Most drivers can exchange their licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence issued by the Isle of Man, you will need to take a test to exchange your licence.

Driving in Romania.

Slovakia

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. If you have been resident for over 185 days starting from 1 January 2021, you must exchange your UK licence for a Slovak one within 60 days of completing the 185 days and before 2 September 2021.

Driving in Slovakia.

Slovenia

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test until 31 December 2021, or within one year of becoming resident, whichever is longer.

Driving in Slovenia.

Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)

You can continue to use your licence until 1 July 2021. You may need to take a test if you want to exchange your licence. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test to drive in Spain.

Driving in Spain.

Sweden

You can continue to use your licence until 1 July 2021. After this, you will be able to exchange your UK licence without taking a test.

Driving in Sweden.

Switzerland

You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.

Driving in Switzerland.

Rules for driving in EU countries

You must check the rules for driving and living in different EU countries and follow any local laws.

Published 31 December 2020
Last updated 2926 March 2021 + show all updates
  1. Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Portugal.

  2. Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Sweden.

  3. Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Portugal.

  4. Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in the EU. Also updated rules for driving in Denmark and Germany.

  5. First published.