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Within the EU a physical green card is usually not required at the border, but you must always be able to prove that your vehicle is insured. In many countries there are no standard border checks. In the event of a collision, police check or if you travel outside the EU, you will still need proof. What exactly should you take with you and where does practice differ from theory?
What is the green card and when do you need it?
The green card is the international insurance certificate for your car insurance. It shows in which countries your insurance provides cover and helps during checks or when handling claims abroad. Many travellers think the green card is no longer needed since the introduction of border-free travel within Europe, but that is not entirely correct.
Within the European Union, a system has been in place for years without standard border checks on proof of insurance. However, the authorities can ask for proof of insurance at any time, especially in the event of an accident or during a traffic check. A paper or digital green card is then the quickest and most reliable proof. You can find more context on border rules in our article on border crossings, customs and travel formalities.
Do you need a green card for a road trip through Italy?
For a road trip to Italy or another EU country, the green card is not required at the border. In practice, there are no standard checks at internal EU borders either. Even so, it is sensible to take your green card with you, both digitally and printed.
In the event of a collision or fine, the local authorities regularly ask for proof of insurance. A green card prevents delays and confusion. It also shows that your third-party liability insurance is valid in Italy and that claims will be handled correctly. Without proper proof of cover you will run into problems on the spot with the police or roadside assistance services.
What should you take with you for a trip within the EU?
- Your policy number and your insurer’s contact details
- A digital or printed version of the green card
- The European accident statement form
- The emergency number of your breakdown service or insurer
Caravan at the Polish border: what insurance check applies?
Separate rules apply to travellers with a caravan or trailer. Many insurance policies automatically include caravans under car insurance, but there are exceptions. For heavier trailers, insurers require a separate policy.
There are no standard insurance checks at the Polish border, as Poland is part of the EU. If you are stopped or have an accident, the authorities will ask for proof of cover for both car and caravan. So check before departure whether the caravan is included in your policy and whether you have cover for Poland via your green card.
If you travel through several countries with a caravan, check with your insurer in advance which additional conditions apply. For some countries, the caravan may need to be listed separately on the green card. This will help you avoid fines, delays or problems in the event of damage.
What if you don’t have a green card at a customs check?
Within the EU, the green card is not always compulsory. Not having it with you during a check can still cause problems. At a customs or traffic check, the authorities will ask for proof of insurance. If you cannot show this, you may receive a warning or a fine. In the worst case, the authorities may impound the vehicle.
In some cases you can still provide digital proof, for example via an insurance app or a photo of your policy. Not every country or every officer will accept this without question. A paper green card remains the most reliable solution. If you are driving through several countries or away from the main routes, be sure to take a paper version with you.
How do you avoid problems during a check?
- Keep the green card together with your vehicle registration documents in the glove compartment
- Take a screenshot of the green card and store it offline on your phone
- Make sure you have your insurer’s emergency number to hand
- Check in advance whether digital versions are accepted in the countries you are visiting
‘ So always check in advance whether your destination is listed on your green card and, if necessary, request an updated version from your insurer. ’
Outside the EU: when is the green card compulsory?
If you cross the EU border into countries outside the EU, the green card is often compulsory. Examples include Serbia, Albania, Türkiye and countries in the Balkans. At border checks, the authorities actively check whether you have a valid green card. They also check whether the country you are travelling to is listed on the card.
If a country is not listed on your green card or is crossed out, this usually means that you do not have cover through your Dutch car insurance. At some border crossings you can take out a temporary border insurance policy. This temporary border insurance is often more expensive than arranging cover in advance and usually only offers third-party liability cover.
For countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, which are not part of the EU but are included in many insurance policies, the green card also remains an important proof of cover. So always check in advance whether your destination is listed on your green card and, if necessary, request an updated version from your insurer.
Digital green card: convenient but not accepted everywhere
More and more insurers offer a digital green card, which you can download via an app or online portal. Many European countries accept this digital version. Not all countries accept digital documents, however. At border checks in countries outside the EU, the acceptance of digital documents may still vary.
Your phone may be dead, have no signal, or the authorities may prefer paper. A printed version therefore remains the most reliable option, especially if you are driving through several countries or heading to more remote areas.
Smart preparation with a digital back-up
- Save a PDF of the green card offline on your phone
- Print an extra copy and keep it in your glove compartment
- Store a digital copy of your full policy in the cloud
- Note your policy number separately in your notes app
What should you do if you have an accident across the border?
If you are involved in a collision while travelling, you should show proof of insurance straight away. The green card speeds up the process and helps both parties to fill in the European accident statement form. This form is valid throughout Europe and helps ensure that claims are handled smoothly.
Always take photos of the damage, the other car, the number plate and the situation. Keep the completed claim form and send it to your insurer within 24 hours. If you do not have a green card or cannot show proof of insurance, claims handling will be severely delayed.
Some insurers offer assistance via an emergency number or a claims app. Check before departure whether your insurer offers this and what the procedure is in the event of damage abroad.
‘ Not having a green card can lead to fines or even the immobilisation of the vehicle, even if the card is not formally compulsory. ’
Frequency of checks: where are you most likely to be stopped?
The likelihood of being checked varies from country to country and from one border crossing to another. In countries with stricter checks, such as at the external Polish borders or at crossings into the Balkans, insurance proof is requested more often. Within Schengen countries such as France, Germany and Spain, standard checks at the border are rare.
Even so, local authorities can still carry out random checks within the EU, for example during major events, the summer holidays or on busy routes. Not having a green card can lead to fines or even the immobilisation of the vehicle, even if the card is not formally compulsory.
Car hire companies in some countries also explicitly ask for a green card if you are crossing a border. If you drive a Dutch car but hire a car in another country, check the terms and conditions of your hire car and whether it is insured in all the countries you will be visiting.
Departure checklist: how to set off well prepared
To avoid delays, confusion and fines, it is worth taking a moment before departure to quickly check your insurance documents and cover. This checklist will help.
- Check that all destination countries are listed on your green card
- Request an updated green card if countries are missing or crossed out
- Print a paper version and keep it in the car
- Save a PDF of the green card on your phone and make an offline copy
- Take the European accident statement form with you and keep it with your documents
- Save your insurer’s emergency number in your phone
- Check whether a caravan or trailer needs separate insurance
- Check whether digital proof is accepted in your destination countries
Discover more about safe and smart travel
On the Traveler Tips website you will find more information on border crossings, travel formalities, toll roads and low-emission zones.
Frequently asked questions
Within the EU it is usually not compulsory to physically carry the green card at the border. You must, however, always be able to prove that your car is insured, for example during a check or after an accident. A digital or printed green card is therefore recommended. Outside the EU the green card may be compulsory.
Within the EU it is wise to carry at least your green card (preferably printed and digital), your policy number and your insurer’s contact details. Also take a European accident statement form with you in case of an accident. Check in advance that your destination country or countries are listed on the green card and are not crossed out. If you are travelling (just) outside the EU, a physical green card or possibly a separate border insurance policy may be compulsory.
Within the EU, uniform rules generally apply, but some countries and border posts still explicitly ask for a (preferably paper) green card in practice. Separate insurance requirements may apply for caravans, trailers and motorhomes, such as a separate green card or specific third-party liability cover. Outside the EU or in countries with a special status (for example Serbia, Andorra, Switzerland), additional or different cover requirements may apply. Always check for each country whether it is listed on your green card and whether there are no exclusions or obligations to take out border insurance.
Within the EU, a digital version of your insurance certificate or green card is sufficient in many countries during checks. Outside the EU or in countries with stricter rules, a physical (printed) green card may be compulsory. It is therefore wise always to take a paper copy with you, especially when travelling outside the EU. Check the specific requirements for each country in advance.
If you do not have the correct insurance documents, you may be stopped at some borders or be required to take out (expensive) border insurance on the spot. You also risk a fine or problems during police checks. In the event of an accident, claims handling may be significantly delayed or complicated. In countries where insurance is strictly monitored, you may even be refused permission to continue driving.
