When an exchange is possible and when it is not
The DGT separates EU and EEA licenses from licenses issued by countries that have a bilateral exchange agreement with Spain. EU and EEA licenses do not require an exam for exchange. Licenses from other countries depend on the agreement and on the category you want recognized in Spain.
The DGT also highlights an important limit: a license is not exchangeable if you obtained it in your country of origin after already becoming a legal resident in Spain, with specific exceptions such as the one noted for the Republic of Korea. That point is one of the most common issues behind exchange-related searches.
