Polish Driver's Licences Cheaper Than Germany, Yet EU Residency Rules Apply

In Poland, a standard car licence (category B) costs between €600 and €1,200, far less than the German average of about €3,400 reported by the Bundesverkehrsministerium for 2026. The lower price results from fewer mandatory driving lessons, lower wages and less stringent school regulations.

EU law, however, requires that a licence be obtained in the country where the applicant normally resides – defined as staying at least 185 days a year. Because most German residents do not meet this residency threshold, they cannot simply travel to Poland to obtain a cheaper licence. The German Foreign Office warns that the licence would be invalid if the applicant’s habitual residence remains in Germany. An exception exists for students who move to another EU country for studies, allowing them to apply for a licence in the host nation.