UK driver's licences no longer valid in the EU: What does this mean for British expats?

Expats from the UK had until April 30 to get a Spanish version of their license for 90 euros. If they were living in Spain before January 1, 2021, their valid UK driving license will no longer be valid for driving in Spain. If they moved to Spain after January 1, 2021, their valid UK license will be recognized for 6 months from the date they obtained residence. After that, they have to retake their driver's license test, including theoretical and practical sections. The failure of both governments in finding an agreement impacts British expats as they face license costs and issues with transportation. 

Sarah Wagstaff, from Watford, UK, has been living in Tenerife for the past six years but struggled to meet the cost to exchange her license. Wagstaff told Express.co.uk: “I started the application in February 2020, and then during the pandemic, I was living on €462 a month on ERTE (Spanish furlough). “I was told I had two years to do it, so I decided to wait until I was back at work, but by then, my application had expired. So now I'm stuck paying €10 each way to work in a taxi,” she shares. Regarding the cost to exchange her license prior to the deadline, which was €90 to start the process, and then an additional cost for a medical test, she said: “It may not sound much, but when you are living on €462 a month which includes keeping a roof over your head and feeding yourself it is (...)”

Carlos Tobon, a Colombian-British expat from London and Chelmsford, moved to Spain for work. He has a UK and Colombian driver's license. The invalidation outside the UK affects his life in Spain since he isn't allowed to drive in the country, as he explains. “It is about time, in Spain, some things are very difficult to process, and the country is famous for its bureaucracy. In fact, I had already tried to exchange my Colombian driving license, and getting an appointment is next to impossible. When I finally got it, I went, and they decided that I needed more documents that were not informed in advance, so I will try to apply for this process again very soon considering the situation with the UK license”. Carlos finds it easier to exchange his Colombian license with a Spanish one rather than paying for a new one. “ British expats could exchange their UK license for a Spanish one, which is not possible at the moment. In my personal situation, I will try with the Colombian license as I don't want to lose the UK license which is difficult and costly to get”.

What's next? 

Hugh Elliott, the British ambassador in Spain and Andorra, shared on his social media that the British and Spanish governments continue to negotiate long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licenses without needing to take a practical test. The Spanish government requested a new extension on May 3, so expats can still have time to regulate their licenses. The ambassador added that the delay is due to Spain having asked for data on vehicle owners to be provided by the UK side. He said that this is “more complex”, which is why a resolution is being delayed and acknowledged that the delay is “very disruptive” for the group affected.

What you should know about UK licenses 

Expats living in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland can find more specific information on the British government website. 

According to the British government, if UK expats move to an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, they will not be able to renew their driving license in the UK. It is shared that expats should consider exchanging their UK driving license for a local license as soon as possible in line with specific advice for their country of residence if the time is not over as in Spain.

If a British expat has its license lost, stolen or expired, they will not be able to exchange it for a local license in the country where they are living. They will have to apply for a local license and may have to retake their driving test. The British government advises expats to check with the licensing authority in their country of residence if their license is lost, stolen or expired.