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Green Card car insurance: what it is and why you need it
Your car insurance Green Card is your international proof of insurance. Although the document is no longer mandatory to carry physically in all countries, it remains an indispensable part of your travel documents for a carefree driving holiday. In which countries is this proof a strict requirement, and what are the consequences if you don’t have it with you? We’ll explain it clearly.
\n\nWhat exactly is the Green Card?
\n \nThe Green Card is the official document that proves your vehicle is insured. The name refers to Third-Party Liability (TPL), the mandatory basic cover for damage you cause to others. Although the card is often printed on white paper today, or insurers provide it digitally, the name \”Green Card\” remains in use. The document is also known as the International Motor Insurance Card (IMIC).
\n\n\nThe card conveniently lists all important information. This is useful in case of a breakdown or accident abroad. The following information is stated on it:
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- Insured vehicle: The registration number of your car, motorbike, or campervan. \n\n\n
- Period of validity: The start and end date of your insurance cover. \n\n\n
- Area of cover: A list of country codes where your insurance is valid. Countries where you are not insured are crossed out. \n\n\n
- Green Card number: A unique number you need when filling in a European accident report form. \n\n\n
- Contact details: Your insurer’s details and important phone numbers for assistance with damage, theft, or breakdown. \n\n
Since 1 July 2020, the physical card is no longer required to be green. Insurers are increasingly switching to a digital document that you receive via email or an app. This makes it easier to always have the proof at hand.
\n\n\n\n‘ If your phone battery dies or it doesn’t work, you’ll always have a backup. ’
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How do you get a Green Card?
\n \nYou don’t need to apply for a Green Card yourself. You receive it automatically from your insurer when you take out or annually renew your car insurance. This applies to all motor vehicles, such as a car, motorbike, campervan, or classic car. Most insurers send the document digitally. Save it directly to your smartphone. Some still provide it by post.
\n\n\nFor good preparation for your trip, it is wise to save the digital version on your phone and also make it available offline. Additionally, consider printing a paper version and keeping it with your other car documents. If your phone battery dies or it doesn’t work, you’ll always have a backup.
\nIs the Green Card mandatory when travelling?
\n \nThe rules regarding carrying the Green Card differ by country. It is therefore good to know where the document is required and where it is not. A fine or delay at the border is not a pleasant start to your holiday.
\n\n\n\nWithin the European Union
\n\n\nIn all European Union (EU) countries, plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, and Andorra, it is not mandatory to physically show the Green Card. Verification of Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance is done based on the vehicle’s registration number. In the event of an accident or police check, the validity of your insurance is verified digitally.
\n\n\nNevertheless, we strongly advise you to carry the card with you in these countries too, digitally or on paper. In the event of a collision, you will need the Green Card number for the European accident report form. Moreover, all emergency numbers for your insurer and breakdown assistance service are on it, which makes handling claims much easier.
\n\n\n\nOutside the European Union
\n\n\nWhen you travel outside the EU, the situation is different. In many non-EU countries, it is mandatory to show an original, paper Green Card. This applies, for example, to Balkan countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and also to Turkey and Morocco.
\n\n\nAlways check your Green Card before departure. The country codes of the countries where your insurance is valid are listed on it. If a country code is crossed out, your insurance does not provide cover there. In that case, you must take out temporary Third-Party Liability insurance at the border to be allowed into the country.
\n\n\n\nWhat if you don’t have the card with you?
\n\n\nDriving without a valid Green Card in a country where it is mandatory has unpleasant consequences. You not only risk a fine, but in the worst case, you may also be denied entry to the country. Even in countries where it is not mandatory, the absence of the card leads to delays and confusion when handling a claim.
\n\n\nExperience shows that authorities in some countries, even within the EU, still ask for the document. A printed version in your glove compartment prevents discussion and ensures you can continue your journey without problems.
\n\nA separate Green Card for your caravan or trailer
\n \nAre you travelling with a caravan or a trailer? Then it is important to check the rules for a separate Green Card. For trailers and caravans weighing up to 750 kilograms, the insurance of the towing vehicle is usually sufficient, and a separate card is not needed.
\n\n\nFor objects heavier than 750 kilograms, which have their own registration number, a separate Green Card is required in some countries. This is the case in Germany, Spain, and Poland, among others. Enquire with your insurer before departure to ensure you comply with local legislation.
\n\n\n\nGood preparation is the foundation for a relaxed trip. Having the correct documents with you is naturally part of that. On the Traveler Tips website, you will find much more practical information about planning your road trip, from mandatory car equipment to rules for vignettes and environmental zones. Discover our comprehensive guides and hit the road well-prepared.
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\nA Green Card is an international insurance document that proves your vehicle is insured for Third-Party Liability. Although not always mandatory to carry physically within the EU, it is essential for international road trips. It proves your insurance, contains crucial contact details in case of damage, and is compulsory in many non-EU countries. Without a valid Green Card, you risk fines or problems in the event of accidents abroad.
\n\nIn many countries outside the EU/EEA, such as parts of Russia, a physical Green Card is mandatory. Experience shows that in Eastern European countries, such as Romania, the physical card is often still demanded. Within the EU/EEA, a digital version is usually sufficient, but it is advisable to have a backup. For countries where a physical card is required, it is recommended to print it or carry a physical copy to avoid fines.
\n\nYou automatically receive a Green Card when you take out or renew your car insurance, proving you have at least Third-Party Liability cover. Although not physically mandatory in most EU countries, it is advisable to always carry it, digitally or printed, in case of an accident or check. Check well in advance whether all countries you are travelling through are listed on the card, especially outside the EU, and take out border insurance if necessary for a carefree holiday. There’s no specific lead time for arranging this, as you receive the card directly with your insurance.
\n\nIf you lose your Green Card or don’t receive it on time for your trip, contact your insurer. They can send you a digital version via email or through their app, which you can save on your phone. It is advisable to print a paper version as a backup, especially for countries outside the EU or if you encounter checks. Always keep the card with your car documents, along with your driving licence.
\n\nThe Green Card, now often digital and white in colour, provides clarity about the countries where you have Third-Party Liability cover. It shows important details such as the registration number, the period of cover, contact details of the insurer for emergencies, and a unique number for the accident report form. Although it is not mandatory to carry it physically in most EU countries, it is crucial in the event of an accident or breakdown to prove that you are insured and to get help quickly. For countries outside the EU, it is often mandatory, so always check your card for crossed-out countries.
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