What's a Green Card?
A Green Card is issued by the driver’s insurer. It acts as evidence that the driver has the minimum legal cover needed for the country they’re visiting whilst driving outside the UK. The Green Card is a physical document which is printed on green paper – it isn’t valid in an electronic format.
Do I need a Green Card?
If you’re planning to drive your vehicle in the EU & EEA countries, Serbia, Switzerland and Andorra. You’ll need to contact us two weeks before you plan to travel so we can decide whether we need to issue you with a Green Card.
You’ll need a Green Card if you’re driving any vehicle in the EU to prove you have the insurance you need. It doesn’t matter what level of motor cover you have, including if your policy has a foreign use extension.
You’ll also need a Green Card when driving from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.
If you’re travelling with a trailer, you’ll need to register any commercial trailer weighing over 750kg before towing them abroad. All trailers (personal and commercial) weighing over 3,500kg must be registered. You’ll also need to get a Green Card for separately registered trailers.
How do I get a Green Card?
If you still need a Green Card, you can apply for one here or call us on 0345 030 7077. We recommend you apply two weeks before you’re due to travel to make sure it can be posted and delivered to you in time.
Will I need a Green Card to drive in the EU after Brexit?
Whilst we’ve agreed a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, you’ll still need a Green Card when driving to EEA countries as well as Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland. This is because we’re currently still outside the Green Card free circulation area.
I’m travelling to the EU, will my car insurance still be valid?
Under UK law, your motor insurance must give you the legal minimum cover needed when driving in the EU.
Your policy will still cover you to drive in the EU, but you’ll currently need a Green Card.
For some countries, you might also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) when you’re asked to show driving documents.
Where can I get more information?
The Government’s published guidance on driving in the EU after the UK’s exit from the EU at www.gov.uk/driving-abroad
We’re monitoring developments and speaking with regulators to minimise any challenges that may come up. We’ll always aim to provide the service you expect. We’ll update our website with more information, so you should keep checking back here as more details are announced.
I’m driving abroad beyond the borders of the EU – do I need a Green Card?
Your motor insurance with us doesn’t go beyond the following countries:
EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden
EEA countries not in the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Other countries where you don’t need a Green Card during the transition period: Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland
If you’re planning to drive your vehicle in any of the below countries, call us on 0345 030 8651 so we can check what you’ll need to be covered:
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Israel
- Morocco
- Montenegro
- Tunisia
- Turkey.
Do I need a Green Card when driving from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland?
Yes, you’ll currently need a Green Card to travel from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.
Is my driving licence still valid in the EU?
Yes. But if you have a paper driving licence or a driving licence issued in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
This depends on where you’re going so check the rules of the country you’re travelling to.
Can you also provide me with an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
The government provides IDPs and you should be able to get one from the Post Office. We won’t be able to issue them to our customers.