Executive summary
Ukrainian drivers with recognised Temporary Protection in Spain can work as CE truck drivers without needing an individual work authorisation from the Foreigners' Office. The legal framework is Royal Decree-Law 6/2022 of 11 March and Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382. Temporary Protection is in force until March 2027, with the possibility of annual extension. Time to onboarding is 1–2 weeks. The DGT driving licence exchange runs in parallel with employment, with a provisional receipt issued on the same day as the application, allowing legal driving from day one.
What legal framework governs Temporary Protection and work authorisation for Ukrainian drivers?
The legal position of Ukrainian drivers in Spain is substantially different from that of other non-EU nationals. Two instruments govern this.
Royal Decree-Law 6/2022 of 11 March, adopting urgent measures within the National Response Plan to the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine. This decree activated Temporary Protection in Spain for Ukrainian nationals displaced from 24 February 2022 onwards. Article 4 establishes that beneficiaries of Temporary Protection hold work authorisation in Spain for the full duration of the protection, without needing to apply for an individual residence and work authorisation from the Foreigners' Office.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022, establishing the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine. This Decision activated at European level the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC, requiring all Member States to grant Temporary Protection with associated rights, including the right to work. Temporary Protection is in force until 4 March 2027, extendable by Council decision.
What Temporary Protection covers:
- Residence and work authorisation in Spain for the duration of the protection period.
- Access to the healthcare and education systems.
- Access to unemployment benefits (SEPE) under the applicable conditions.
- Right to family unity.
What Temporary Protection does not cover:
- It does not equate to long-term residence status.
- It does not guarantee automatic renewal beyond March 2027.
- It does not cover Ukrainian nationals who were already in Spain before 24 February 2022 under another regular administrative status (these follow their existing permit regime).
Rights and employment conditions for Ukrainian drivers under Temporary Protection
| Area | Entitlement | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Work authorisation | Automatic — no individual application to the Foreigners' Office required | RDL 6/2022, Art. 4 (BOE.es) |
| Duration | Until 4 March 2027 (annually extendable by Council decision) | Council Decision (EU) 2022/382 (EUR-Lex) |
| Wages and conditions | Full equality with equivalent Spanish workers from day one | Spanish Workers' Statute (Estatuto de los Trabajadores), Art. 14 (BOE.es) |
| Maximum working time | 40 hours/week; 9 hours/day (transport sector: EU Regulation 561/2006 applies) | ET Art. 34; Reg. (EC) 561/2006 |
| Social Security access | Mandatory TGSS registration; entitlement to healthcare, unemployment and other benefits | RDL 6/2022, Art. 4.3 (BOE.es) |
| DGT licence exchange | Bilateral Spain–Ukraine agreement; provisional receipt issued same day, allows legal driving from day one | Royal Decree 818/2009, Art. 21 |
| Professional CAP | Case-by-case recognition; if not recognised, CAP training in Spain required (280 h initial / 140 h upgrade) | Directive 2003/59/EC; DGT regulations |
Note for employers: equal pay and working conditions under the Workers' Statute (BOE.es) are enforceable from the first day of the contract, regardless of the driver's nationality.
For the broader context of hiring non-EU drivers, see our complete guide to hiring foreign truck drivers in Spain.
How does a Ukrainian driver register with the SEPE and what is the initial administrative step?
Although a Ukrainian driver with Temporary Protection holds automatic work authorisation, there is one mandatory initial administrative step: registration with SEPE as a Temporary Protection applicant.
SEPE registration: The driver must demonstrate Temporary Protection status through a resolution from the Foreigners' Office, which issues a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) marked "Temporary Protection". This document is what proves work authorisation to employers and authorities.
TIE processing time: In Alicante, where DriversHub's office is located, the standard appointment wait for a Temporary Protection TIE runs between 2 and 4 weeks from application. For drivers who already hold a valid TIE, the onboarding process is effectively immediate.
SEPE jobseeker registration: Mandatory for access to certain benefits. DriversHub assists the driver with this step on arrival in Spain or immediately before the employment start date.
Social Security number: The Ukrainian driver needs a Social Security affiliation number to be registered by the employer. If the driver does not already have one, DriversHub arranges the number assignment with the General Social Security Treasury (TGSS) within the first few days after arrival. Employer Social Security contributions for Ukrainian workers with Temporary Protection follow the standard general regime rates published annually by the Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (MITES.gob.es), including the AT/EP rate applicable to the employer's CNAE sector code — no special rate applies on account of nationality or protection status.
DriversHub's document management service covers all of these initial processes.
How do you exchange a Ukrainian driving licence at the DGT?
Ukraine has a bilateral driving licence recognition agreement with Spain. This agreement allows direct exchange of the Ukrainian licence for a Spanish licence, without the need to sit the theory examination.
Legal framework: Article 21 of Royal Decree 818/2009 of 8 May, General Driver Regulations (BOE.es), governs provisional recognition and the exchange procedure for holders of foreign licences under bilateral agreements. The Spain–Ukraine bilateral driving licence recognition agreement is in force, permitting direct exchange without a theory examination.
DGT exchange process for Ukrainian drivers:
- Exchange application at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) in the driver's province of residence.
- Required documentation: TIE with Temporary Protection (or passport + Temporary Protection resolution), original Ukrainian licence, certified Spanish translation (if required), recent photograph, DGT fees.
- Provisional receipt issued on the same day as the application. This receipt, together with the original Ukrainian licence, permits legal driving in Spain throughout the entire exchange period.
- Spanish driving licence issued: standard timeline 6–8 months from application.
Driving during the exchange period: The Ukrainian driver can perform professional driving from day one using the Ukrainian licence plus the DGT provisional receipt. There is no forced inactivity period. DriversHub files the DGT application within the first 3 days of the driver's arrival.
For full details on the DGT exchange procedure for different nationalities, see our DGT licence exchange guide for non-EU drivers.
What is the step-by-step process for hiring a Ukrainian truck driver in Spain?
For a Ukrainian driver with valid Temporary Protection and TIE, the process to starting on the road follows these steps:
Days 1–3 (selection and verification): DriversHub verifies: TIE with Temporary Protection annotation, Ukrainian CE licence (category and validity), CAP validity or training need, absence of relevant criminal record. Candidates from the TridentLogistic partner pool already have this documentation pre-verified.
Days 3–5 (employer documentation): The client company provides DriversHub with: tax ID (CIF), Social Security registration certificate, draft employment contract. Under Model D (staff-leasing), DriversHub prepares the temporary assignment contract.
Days 5–10 (Social Security and DGT): Driver registered with Social Security at TGSS. DGT licence exchange application filed at the Traffic Headquarters, provisional receipt obtained. Bank account opened if the driver does not already have one.
Days 10–14 (onboarding): PPE and health and safety documentation issued. Company procedure briefing (route manual, tachograph, communications). First day on the road with all documentation in order.
Timelines for drivers without a prior TIE: If the driver arrives without a TIE issued, the onboarding timeline extends to 3–6 weeks — the time needed to process the Temporary Protection TIE. DriversHub manages the appointment booking and the full dossier.
See our driver onboarding service for companies bringing on multiple drivers simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What happens to Ukrainian drivers' work authorisation if Temporary Protection is not extended beyond March 2027? A: Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 provides for annual extensions by Council decision. As of the date of publication of this article, Temporary Protection is in force until 4 March 2027. If no extension is issued, the driver will need to apply for a standard residence and work authorisation before the expiry date. DriversHub initiates the transition process 6 months before expiry for all active pool drivers, at no additional cost to Model D client companies.
Q: Can a Ukrainian driver work in Spain if they arrived before 24 February 2022? A: Not under the Temporary Protection regime. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Spain before 24 February 2022 under another administrative status (standard residence permit, student visa, etc.) follow their own residence regime and do not automatically access Temporary Protection. Their administrative situation is handled in the same way as any other legal resident under their existing permit type. DriversHub evaluates each candidate's situation before proposing onboarding.
Q: Is a Ukrainian CAP valid in Spain for professional driving? A: Ukraine is not an EU Member State, but from 2022 onwards there has been a recognition mechanism for Ukrainian CAPs for drivers with Temporary Protection in several Member States, including Spain. In practice, DriversHub verifies CAP homologation on a case-by-case basis: if the Ukrainian CAP is not directly recognised, the driver must complete the CAP in Spain (280 hours for the initial CAP, or 140 hours if upgrading from a lower category). DriversHub coordinates enrolment at an accredited training centre and schedules training so it does not delay the employment start date.
Conclusion
Ukrainian drivers represent the fastest onboarding profile available in the Spanish market in 2026: immediate work authorisation, a bilateral DGT agreement and a 1–2 week onboarding process. DriversHub manages the full process from candidate selection to the first day on the road.
To explore available hiring services, visit our direct recruitment or document management pages. For a consultation on available candidates, contact us at /en/contact/.
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