11/08/2026
PHILIPPINES AND ITALY SIGN DRIVER’S LICENSE CONVERSION PROTOCOL
10 August 2026, Rome - The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Italian Republic signed today the Protocol Amending the Memorandum of Understanding on the Automatic Exchange of Driver's Licenses in Rome, Italy after negotiations started in 2018.
The Ambassador of the Philippines to Italy, Neal Imperial, signed the Protocol on behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, while Ambassador Nicoletta Bombardiere, Director General for Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, signed on behalf of the Government of the Italian Republic.
The updated annexes to the Protocol cover Philippine driver's license models issued between 2017 and 2023. Negotiations between the Embassy and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will continue following the signing to further update the annexes to include Philippine driver's license models issued from 2024 onward.
Ambassador Imperial said that the Protocol, once implemented, will be of immense benefit to Filipino drivers in Italy.
“This conversion protocol will benefit an estimated 2,000 Filipino drivers in Italy, especially those who depend on driving for livelihood and those who drive across EU borders,” the Philippines envoy said.
The signing marked the culmination of negotiations between the Philippine Embassy in Rome and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, with the guidance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and technical support from the Philippine Land Transportation Office. The Protocol updates the agreement's annexes and select provisions to reflect current developments in both countries' driver's license systems, while the original 2006 Memorandum of Understanding remains valid and in force.
Pursuant to the Agreement, nationals of one Contracting Party who have established legal residence in the territory of the other Contracting Party for a period of less than six years are entitled to convert their valid national driver's license without being required to undergo theoretical or practical driving examinations. On the other hand, holders of a valid Philippine drivers license who have resided in Italy beyond the six year period, will have 180 days from the date of the entry into force of the Protocol, within which they may apply for the exchange of their valid Philippine license, provided that they shall be subject to the successful completion of a driving test intended to verify the continuing technical fitness of the holder, in accordance with the legislation in force in the Italian Republic.
This longstanding conversion arrangement has been of significant benefit to the Filipino community residing and working in Italy, facilitating their mobility and enabling them to contribute more effectively to the Italian economy and society as members of one of the country's largest and most productive migrant communities.
The Protocol, once ratified, will enter into force 60 days after the Philippines and Italy notify each other of the completion of their respective internal procedures. Both sides will make an announcement once the Protocol enters into force.
The Embassy will issue a corresponding advisory and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Filipino community in Italy once the Protocol has entered into force and the implementation of the new Protocol starts.END
