Validity of a driving licence when relocating within the EEA
Last update
Driving licences issued by European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states benefit from mutual recognition within these geographical areas.
When relocating within the EEA, the holder of a Luxembourg driving licence may apply to have their national driving licence exchanged for a licence issued in their new country of residence. However, apart from a few exceptions, this is generally not a requirement.
Since 19 January 2013, all new driving licences issued in the EU are identical. They are made of plastic and resemble a credit card.
Valid driving licences remain valid and will be exchanged for a licence in the new format at the time of their renewal, or at the latest in 2033.
Relocating to an EEA country
Before moving to another country, the holder of a Luxembourg licence should ensure that their licence has not expired.
Temporary licences or certificates issued by Luxembourg are not recognised in other EEA countries.
Holders of a Luxembourg driving licence who are relocating to another country within the EU or EEA may continue driving using their current licence for as long as it remains valid, provided that their right to drive has not been suspended, restricted or cancelled in the country of issue.
The following categories are recognised in all EU countries: AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, B1, B1E, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE.
| Country | Validity |
|---|---|
| Germany | 15 years |
| Austria | 15 years |
| Belgium | 15 years |
| Bulgaria | 10 years |
| Cyprus | 15 years |
| Denmark | 15 years |
| Spain | 10 years |
| France | 10 years |
| Finland | 10 years |
| France | 15 years |
| Greece | 10 years |
| Hungary | 10 years |
| Ireland | 10 years |
| Italy | 10 years |
| Latvia | 10 years |
| Lithuania | 10 years |
| Luxembourg. | 10 years |
| Malta | 10 years |
| The Netherlands | 10 years |
| Poland | 15 years |
| Portugal | 15 years |
| Czech Republic | 10 years |
| Romania | 10 years |
| Slovakia | 15 years |
| Slovenia | 10 years |
| Sweden | 10 years |
| Croatia | 10 years |
Renewal/exchange of a driving licence
The holder of a Luxembourg driving licence may only have their licence renewed (or exchanged) by the authorities of their country of residence.
Several EEA countries require driving licences to be exchanged when their holder has committed a driving offence resulting in the restriction, suspension, or cancellation of the licence, or a loss of points.
To exchange a driving licence, in most cases the local authorities require a certificate of authenticity in addition to the usual documents needed to apply for a driving licence. The 'certificate of authenticity' is a document attesting to the applicant's right to drive. It is issued by the country which issued the original licence and includes details concerning:
- the origin;
- the scope of the licence;
- the validity of the right to drive;
- and where necessary, an official translation.
In Luxembourg, this certificate may be issued in German, French or English. Applications for a certificate of authenticity should be sent to the Department of Mobility and Transport (Département de la mobilité et des transports), "Road Safety and Traffic" department, mentioning the licence holder's:
- driving licence number;
- date of birth;
- current address (to which the certificate will be sent).
Département de la mobilité et des transports
4, place de l'Europe
L-1499 Luxembourg
Postal address:
L-2938 Luxembourg
Tel.: (+352) 247 - 84400
Fax: (+352) 26 47 89 48
Email: contact@tr.etat.lu
The authorities of the country of residence will then send the holder a local driving licence in exchange for their Luxembourg licence. On receipt of the local licence, the licence holder is subject to the same rules as the nationals of their new country of residence as regards the validity of the licence, medical examinations, etc.
When the local licence is issued, the Luxembourg licence is taken from the applicant and returned to the issuing authorities.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Department of Mobility and Transport
-
Ministry of Mobility and Public Works Department of Mobility and Transport
- Address:
-
4, place de l'Europe
L-1499
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
L-2938 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 84 400
- Fax:
- (+352) 26 47 89 48
- Email address:
- contact@tr.etat.lu
- Website:
- https://transports.public.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Permis de conduire
sur le Portail Transports
-
Driving licence
on Your Europe
Legal references
-
Directive 2006/126/CE du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 20 décembre 2006
relative au permis de conduire
-
Décision (UE) 2016/1945 de la Commission du 14 octobre 2016
concernant les équivalences entre les catégories de permis de conduire
- Code de la route
