Driving in Slovakia as an expatriate or visitor requires careful attention to the process of exchanging your driving license. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through the exchange process smoothly while ensuring compliance with Slovak regulations. ProRelo, your trusted relocation service provider, is here to assist you at every stage, making the process hassle-free.
Since 2013, all driving licenses issued in the EU have a standard format – a plastic, credit card-sized photocard, with better security features.
You can still use your old-style license, but you will be issued with the new format when you renew your existing license and in any case at the latest by 2033.
Residence registration/permit must be available first before request for the driving license can be submitted.
In case you are in Slovakia only based on visa – this exchange will not be possible – you must organize your residence first.
While EU citizens can choose whether they will change their license, NON EU nationals must do so in a 60-day period starting 185 days after they have been granted temporary residence in Slovakia.
EU citizens, whose driving licenses have been issued for the standard determinate period of time of up to 15 years do not have to exchange their driving licences in Slovakia. They can do so for convenience, for example when their driving license is about to expire. They can only do so following a 185 day period after having been registered for temporary residence in Slovakia. EU citizens, whose driving licences have been issued for an indeterminate period of time (only possible for issues before 19.1.2013) must exchange their driving license for one issued for a determinate period of time in Slovakia within two years of having been registered for residence in Slovakia following a period of 185 days after registration. If NON-EU Nationals wish to drive in Slovakia, they must exchange their driving license for a Slovak one during a 60 day period starting 185 days after being granted temporary or permanent residence in Slovakia.
Before diving into the exchange process, it’s essential to understand the eligibility criteria:
EU nationals are not obligated to exchange their driver’s license in Slovakia. However, if your license is approaching expiration and you prefer not to return to your home country for renewal, exchanging your license is an option. You can request the exchange after 185 days of having been granted a temporary or permanent residence permit.
Non-EU nationals must exchange their driver’s license within 60 days after 185 days of residency in Slovakia. Keep in mind that the process for obtaining necessary documents may vary depending on your home country.
Gather the following documents to initiate the license exchange process:
The official fee for exchanging a driving license is 10 EUR if produced in a 30-day period and 40 EUR if produced in an express 2-day period. The official fee for obtaining an International Driver’s license is 10 EUR and is produced immediately for the foreigner at any regional police department headquarters provided the country of Issue is party to either the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic In case you intent to apply also for International Driver’s license make sure to also bring a 3.5cm x 4.5cm photo either in black and white or in colour.
Ensure all documents are complete and translated by a sworn translator to facilitate a smooth process. Price of the translation depends on your native language.
Here’s a breakdown of the exchange process:
