EU licences work in Poland until they expire; non-EU ones have a six-month clock from the day you become a resident. Here is the exchange procedure step by step.
Whether you must exchange your licence — and how hard it will be — depends entirely on which country issued it. The rules below apply across Poland; in Warsaw the paperwork goes through your district office (urząd dzielnicy).
EU, EEA and Swiss licences
A licence issued in the EU, EEA or Switzerland is valid in Poland until its printed expiry date — no exchange needed. You swap it only when it expires, when your data changes, or voluntarily. No exams are required for the exchange.
Non-EU licences: the 6-month rule
A licence from outside the EU can be used in Poland for six months from the day you obtain resident status. After that, an exchange is required. If the issuing country signed the Vienna or Geneva road traffic conventions, you only pass the Polish theory exam. If not — a full course and both state exams are necessary.
Documents you will need
- exchange application at the district office's transport department
- the original foreign licence plus a sworn translation
- a biometric photo (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
- passport or residence card and proof of address in Poland
- proof of payment — 100 PLN issuance fee plus a small registry fee
How long it takes
The office verifies your document with the authority that issued it. For non-EU licences this is the slow part — from a few weeks to a few months. Once verification comes back positive, the Polish card is printed within about 9 working days.
When starting fresh is easier
If your licence comes from a country outside the conventions, or it has been expired for years, a standard Category B course is often faster and cheaper than the exchange path. Experienced foreign drivers usually need only a handful of refresher lessons (180 PLN/h) to adapt to Polish rules and Warsaw traffic before the exam. Read our step-by-step guide to getting a Polish driving licence for the full picture.
Need help choosing the path?
Write to us in English — we will tell you which route applies to your licence and match you with a course or refresher lessons. Contact details and the sign-up form are on the website.
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