Driving in Europe: UK licence holders living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
Driving licence exchange and rules for drivers living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
UK and European driving licences
If you move to an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will not be able to renew your driving licence in the UK.
Consider exchanging your UK driving licence for a local 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 will not be able to exchange it for a local licence in the country where you are living. You will have to apply for a local licence and may have to 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
If you intend to drive in Austria you must exchange your UK licence for an Austrian licence within 6 months of becoming resident in Austria. You can exchange your valid UK licence without taking a test.
After 6 months you can no longer use your UK licence to drive in Austria, but can still exchange it for an Austrian one, for as long as it is valid. This also applies to driving licences from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
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 Jersey, Guernsey or Gibraltar, you may need to take a test. See which Gibraltar licences can be exchanged (PDF, 1MB) without taking a test.
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 the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.
Croatia
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.
Cyprus
You can exchange your licence without taking a test. You must exchange your UK licence within 6 months of becoming a resident in Cyprus.
If you became resident in Cyprus before 31 December 2020, you must exchange your licence by 7 July 2021.
If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test.
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 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 UK or Gibraltar licence was issued on or after 1 January 2021, you can only exchange a Category B licence without having to take a test. You must do this within 180 days of taking up residency in Denmark.
If your licence was issued in Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you can only exchange a Category B licence without having to take a test. You must do this within 180 days of taking up residency 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.
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.
France
This guidance also applies to driving licences from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
If your UK driving licence was first issued before 1 January 2021
Your licence is recognised in France for as long as it is valid. Paper licences are usually valid until you are 70. For plastic photocard licences, the expiry date is on the front.
If your UK licence has expired, or has less than 6 months’ validity remaining, you must exchange it for a French licence. You do not need to take a driving test.
You can only exchange your licence if it is due to expire within 6 months. If you do not have a valid reason to request an exchange, your application will not be processed.
If your UK driving licence was first issued on or after 1 January 2021
Your licence will be recognised for 1 year from the date of issue of your residency permit (carte de séjour). If you intend to stay in France for longer than 1 year, you must exchange your UK licence for a French licence during this initial 1-year period. You do not need to take a driving test.
Germany
You must exchange your UK driving licence for a German one within 6 months of moving there. You will not need to take a driving test to exchange your licence. Your local Bürgeramt can tell you where to exchange your licence.
Living in Germany before 1 January 2021
If you were living in Germany before 1 January 2021, you must exchange your driving licence for a German one to continue to drive in Germany. You will not need to take a driving test to exchange your licence.
Greece
If you hold a valid UK or Gibraltar driving licence you can drive in Greece without restrictions.
If you hold a Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence, you should contact the competent Greek Directorate of Transport and Communications (in Greek) in the area of your residence to find out what you must do to drive legally in Greece.
Hungary
You can exchange your 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.
Iceland
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.
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.
Italy
If you were resident in Italy before 1 January 2023, you can use your valid UK licence until 31 December 2023.
If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2023, you can use your valid UK licence for 1 year from the date you became a resident.
You will need to exchange your UK licence within this period. A test is currently required to exchange your licence.
Latvia
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Luxembourg
You can convert your licence without having to take a test. You must convert your licence within 1 year of becoming a resident in Luxembourg.
If you became resident in Luxembourg before 31 December 2020, you must convert your licence by 31 December 2021.
Malta
You can use your UK driving licence for up to 12 months from the date you last entered Malta. After this period, you must hold a Maltese driving licence.
You can exchange your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man driving licence without taking theory and practical tests.
The Netherlands
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.
However, in some cases, you may need to provide a certificate of health that could involve a medical examination.
If you became resident in The Netherlands before 31 January 2020, you must exchange your UK licence by 1 May 2021. If you exchange by this date, you do not need to provide a health certificate. Your UK licence will no longer be valid to drive on Dutch roads after 1 May 2021.
If you became resident in The Netherlands between 31 January 2020 and 13 June 2020, your UK licence is no longer valid to drive on Dutch roads. You must not drive until you have exchanged it for a Dutch licence.
If you became resident in The Netherlands between 13 June 2020 and 15 February 2021, you must exchange your UK licence by 1 October 2021. Your UK licence must have been valid on 14 December 2020 to benefit from this extended validity.
If you became resident in The Netherlands after 15 February 2021, you must exchange your licence within 185 days of becoming a resident.
Norway
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.
Poland
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. Consider doing this as soon as possible.
Portugal
Until 31 December 2023
Rules that apply to EU driving licences continue to apply to UK driving licences in Portugal until 31 December 2023. This means that until this date, it is possible to drive in Portugal on a UK driving licence issued by the DVLA (in England, Scotland and Wales) or DVA (in Northern Ireland).
To continue driving in Portugal as a resident, you must register your driving licence with the IMT. You must do this within 60 days of the issue date on your residence certificate, or immediately if you have already been in Portugal for more than 60 days.
Alternatively, you can exchange your UK driving licence for a Portuguese one now.
These arrangements will change on 1 January 2024. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to exchange your licence.
From 1 January 2024
The Portuguese government recently introduced new legislation regarding driving licences issued by OECD countries. This means that you will be able to continue using a UK driving licence as a resident in Portugal from 1 January 2024, if you meet all these requirements:
- you are under the age of 60
- your driving licence photocard has not expired
- your licence was issued or renewed within the last 15 years
- you are only using your licence to drive vehicle categories A and B
- you are not disqualified from driving in Portugal or the UK.
If you do not meet all of these requirements, you will need to start the process to exchange your licence by the end of March 2024 to continue driving.
The British and Portuguese governments are continuing to negotiate a joint agreement, separate to this legislation, for the recognition and exchange of UK driving licences. If you are resident in Portugal and need to drive, we advise that you exchange your valid UK licence now. You should not wait for negotiations to conclude.
If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you should exchange your licence within 90 days of registering for residence. You can exchange categories AM, A1, A2, B1, B and BE without having to take a test.
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.
Slovakia
You can exchange your licence without having to take a test. You must exchange your UK licence for a Slovak one within 60 days of completing 185 days of residence.
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.
Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)
YouIf you were living in Spain before 16 March 2023, you can continueuse your valid UK or Gibraltar driving licence to usedrive in Spain for 6 months.
If you move to Spain on or after 16 March 2023, your valid UK or Gibraltar licence untilwill 30be Aprilrecognised 2022.for 6 months from the date you obtained residence.
If you hold a UK or Gibraltar licence, you can exchange your driving licence for a Spanish one without taking a practical or theory test. You mayshould needaim to takedo athis testwithin if6 months from 16 March 2023, or within 6 months of the date you wantobtain your residence, whichever is later.
After this time your UK or Gibraltar driving licence will no longer be valid for driving in Spain. However, you will still be able to exchange yourit licence.for a Spanish one.
If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you maycannot needcurrently toexchange takethis for a testSpanish licence. You must apply for a Spanish licence as a non-EU national to drive in Spain.Spain, which involves taking both a theory and practical driving test.
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.
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.
Rules for driving in Europe
You must check the rules for driving and living in different European countries and follow any local laws.
Last updated
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New arrangements for exchanging UK and Gibraltar driving licences in Spain from 16 March 2023.
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UK driving licence holders living in Italy have until 31 December 2023 or 12 months from becoming a resident, whichever is later, to exchange their driving licence.
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If you live in Portugal you can continue to drive on a UK driving licence until 31 December 2023.
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UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man licence holders living in Malta can now apply to exchange their licence at any time.
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UK licence holders resident in Spain can now continue to drive using their valid UK driving licence until 30 April 2022.
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UK driving licence holders resident in Italy before 1 January 2022 can continue to drive until 31 December 2022.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Malta.
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UK driving licence holders in Spain can continue to drive on their UK licence until 28 February 2022. Guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Greece or Italy also updated.
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UK driving licence holders in Portugal can continue to drive on their UK licence until 31 December 2022.
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UK driving licence holders in Spain can continue to drive on their UK licence until 31 December 2021.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Malta.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Austria.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Germany.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in France and Spain.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Italy.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Cyprus, Denmark and Luxembourg.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Austria.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in The Netherlands.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Portugal.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Sweden.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Portugal.
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Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in the EU. Also updated rules for driving in Denmark and Germany.
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First published.
Update history
2023-03-27 13:40
From 30 March 2023, you can exchange a UK driving licence for an Italian driving licence without needing to take a test.
2023-03-16 17:25
New arrangements for exchanging UK and Gibraltar driving licences in Spain from 16 March 2023.
2022-12-30 14:20
UK driving licence holders living in Italy have until 31 December 2023 or 12 months from becoming a resident, whichever is later, to exchange their driving licence.
2022-12-23 09:47
If you live in Portugal you can continue to drive on a UK driving licence until 31 December 2023.
2022-02-28 15:36
UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man licence holders living in Malta can now apply to exchange their licence at any time.
2022-02-23 11:01
UK licence holders resident in Spain can now continue to drive using their valid UK driving licence until 30 April 2022.
2022-01-14 12:45
UK driving licence holders resident in Italy before 1 January 2022 can continue to drive until 31 December 2022.
2021-12-31 16:10
Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Malta.
2021-12-29 13:56
UK driving licence holders in Spain can continue to drive on their UK licence until 28 February 2022. Guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Greece or Italy also updated.
2021-11-22 10:52
UK driving licence holders in Portugal can continue to drive on their UK licence until 31 December 2022.
2021-10-26 17:49
UK driving licence holders in Spain can continue to drive on their UK licence until 31 December 2021.
2021-09-22 12:13
Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia.
2021-03-29 13:38
Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Portugal.
2021-03-26 12:04
Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Sweden.
2021-01-29 12:19
Updated guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Portugal.