Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Spain?

It depends on where you are from and how long you are staying. If you are visiting Spain from an EU or EEA country, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you are a tourist from outside the EU or EEA, the DGT recommends carrying an IDP alongside your own licence, though there are exceptions. This guide explains who needs one, who is exempt, and what car rental firms tend to ask for.

The short answer

For most short visits, the rule is simple. EU and EEA visitors drive in Spain on their home licence with no extra paperwork. Non-EU tourists should generally carry an IDP together with their original national licence. An IDP is not a licence on its own; it is a certified translation of your real licence, and it only works when you carry both documents.

There are a couple of exceptions for non-EU visitors, which we cover below. And a reminder up front: this article is about visitors and tourists. If you move to Spain and become resident, the rules change completely, and we explain that at the end.

Are you an EU or EEA visitor?

If you hold a driving licence from an EU or EEA country, you do not need an International Driving Permit to drive in Spain. Your national licence is enough on its own while it is valid and has not been withdrawn. The EEA includes the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

That said, always carry the physical licence with you when you drive. You should also carry the other standard vehicle documents. Our guide to the documents you must carry when driving in Spain lists everything the Guardia Civil can ask to see at a roadside check.

Are you a tourist from outside the EU?

If your licence was issued outside the EU or EEA, the DGT recommends that you carry an International Driving Permit together with your original national licence while visiting Spain. The IDP translates your licence into a standard multilingual format, which makes life easier if you are stopped by police or need to deal with an insurer.

There are exceptions. You generally do not need an IDP if:

• Your national licence is already written in Spanish, or
• Your licence was issued under one of the recognised international models, specifically Annex 9 of the Geneva Convention or Annex 6 of the Vienna Convention.

In practice, the safest approach for a non-EU tourist is to get an IDP before you travel, since it is cheap and removes any doubt at the roadside. You apply for the IDP in your home country before you leave, not in Spain. If you are unsure whether your specific licence qualifies for an exemption, confirm with the DGT rather than relying on general advice online.

What about US, Canadian or Australian licences?

Licences from outside the EU, including the United States, Canada and Australia, fall under the non-EU tourist rules above. You will sometimes see blog posts claiming that certain nationalities "always need an IDP with no exceptions." Treat those claims with caution. The exemptions for Spanish-language licences and Geneva or Vienna model licences apply regardless of nationality, so check your own licence against the rules and confirm with the DGT if in doubt.

Will a car rental company ask for one?

Yes, quite often. Even when the DGT rules would let you drive without an IDP, a car rental company can set its own conditions. Many firms ask non-EU customers for an International Driving Permit as a matter of policy, especially if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet or is hard for staff to read.

Because the rental desk is a private contract, their requirement can be stricter than the law. To avoid a nasty surprise at the counter, check the rental company's terms when you book, and carry both your national licence and your IDP if there is any chance you will rent. It costs little and saves the risk of being refused the car you have already paid for.

What if you become a resident?

An International Driving Permit is a visitor document. It does not help you once you live in Spain. If you take up normal residence, you are no longer a tourist, and an IDP will not extend your right to drive on a foreign licence.

Non-EU residents can drive on their foreign licence for a maximum of six months from taking up residence, after which they must exchange it (if a bilateral agreement exists) or sit the Spanish theory and practical tests. EU and EEA residents can keep using their licence, with a registration step in some cases. We explain the deadlines in full in the six-month rule for driving in Spain. If you are heading toward the Spanish licence, our DGT theory test in English guide is the place to start.

Frequently asked questions

Do EU citizens need an International Driving Permit in Spain?

No. If you hold a valid licence from an EU or EEA country, you drive in Spain on that licence alone. An IDP adds nothing for EU and EEA visitors. Just carry your physical licence and the vehicle documents.

Is an IDP a driving licence?

No. An International Driving Permit is only an official translation of your national licence. It is never valid on its own. You must carry the IDP and your original licence together, or it does not count.

Where do I get an International Driving Permit?

You apply in your home country before you travel, usually through the national motoring authority or automobile association that issues them. You cannot obtain a foreign IDP in Spain, so sort it out before you leave.

Do I need an IDP if my licence is in Spanish?

Generally no. If your national licence is already written in Spanish, the translation an IDP provides is not needed. Licences issued under the Geneva Annex 9 or Vienna Annex 6 models are also usually exempt. Confirm your case with the DGT.

My licence is exempt, but the rental firm wants an IDP. What now?

The rental company can set stricter rules than the DGT because it is a private contract. If their terms require an IDP, you will need one to collect the car. Check the booking conditions early and get an IDP if there is any doubt.

Sources

• DGT, conducir con un permiso extranjero.
• DGT, permiso internacional de conduccion.

Last updated: August 2026.