Car Insurance - Information on Green Cards

Get the latest information on the driving in the European Union post Brexit. Find out more about Green Cards or the International Motor Insurance Card as it’s sometimes known.

Brexit: Driving in the EU – Green Cards

On 30th June 2021, the EU Commission announced their decision to waive the need to travel with a Green Card for vehicles and towed caravans and trailers when driving in the EU and EEA from 2nd August 2021 onwards. 

This means you do not need a Green Card for driving your vehicle and towing a caravan or trailer in the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

You may need a Green Card for driving your vehicle and towing a caravan or trailer in the following countries: Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Israel, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine. 

(Please note, insurance cover in these countries is subject to agreement from your insurer and an additional premium may apply in accordance with the terms of your policy).

If you are travelling to the countries shown above where a Green Card may be required for your vehicle and caravan/trailer - please contact us 21 days before you are travelling and we will arrange for one to be sent to you if your insurer agrees to the cover and you have paid any additional premium if required. 

You will need to take a copy of your Certificate of Insurance, your driving licence and V5C log book with you and display a UK sticker on your vehicle. You may also need an International Driving Permit to drive in some EU/EEA countries.

If you intend to tow a trailer with your vehicle, depending on the type of trailer you have, you may also need to register your trailer before you travel.

Please note, if you took out a new policy or renewed a policy with us after May 2021, ‘Section 9 Driving Abroad’ in your terms and conditions will still contain information concerning the previous EU ruling which advised that Green Cards were required in all circumstances. We will not be reissuing policy documents in the short term, however if you choose to renew your policy with us at your next renewal, this section will be updated.  

Getting in touch

Existing car insurance customers can request a Green Card from us to drive in the EU or EEA states. Please call us 21 days prior to travelling and we will arrange for the Green Card to be sent to your home address. 

Call: 0344 209 0471

Lines are open from Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-6pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays 10am-4pm.

Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 169628.