Your degree
With a foreign university degree you have three routes. Choose based on what you want to do:
- Homologación: lets you practise a regulated profession in Spain.
- Equivalencia: your degree is valid for academic and administrative purposes.
- Convalidación: your studies are recognised so you can continue them at a Spanish university.
Steps:
- Pick the right route above.
- Have your documents legalised in your country (apostille). Not needed for EU, EEA and Swiss degrees.
- Have documents that are not in Spanish officially translated.
- Pay the official fee: €166.50 for homologación and equivalencia. Then submit the application on the Ministry’s electronic office.
- You can check the status of your application online with Valida-TE.
Homologación, equivalencia and convalidación (Ministry)
Non-university qualifications (school, vocational training) and regulated professions (doctor, lawyer, teacher…): This depends on your personal situation: a professional can tell you what to do in your case. → Ask for a consultation
Your driving licence
EU or EEA licence: you can drive as long as it is valid. Exchanging it is voluntary.
Licence from another country: it is only valid for a limited period after you become a resident in Spain. Then you must exchange it to keep driving. You can only exchange it if there is an agreement with your country. If not, you have to get a new licence. To know whether your country has an agreement, see the official DGT page (link below).
How to exchange an EU or EEA licence:
- Book a cita previa with the DGT. DGT cita previa
- Bring form Mod. 03, an ID or residence card, the registration certificate (if you are EU), your licence and a passport-style photo.
- Pay the official fee: €28.87.
- You get a provisional licence straight away. The definitive one arrives by post a few weeks later.
Exchange of a foreign licence (DGT) Each office may ask for extra documents: always check your province’s page before the appointment.
Practical tips
- Ask for apostilles and translations early: they are the slowest part.
- Do not leave the licence exchange to the last moment.