In which countries do you need a green card?
A green card is an internationally valid proof of insurance. The advantage of a green card is that it is the same throughout Europe, making it easy to read for the police abroad, for example. You receive the green card when you take out your car insurance and then you receive a new one every year.
What is the content of the green card?
On the green card, the insurer will state in which countries the car insurance provides cover. The green card also states for which period and for which vehicle the cover applies. On the green card the insurer usually states which authorities the insured can turn to in case of breakdown, accident, broken windows and theft, both at home and abroad. Even though the Green Card is not obligatory, it still serves its purpose well because all the insurance details are listed in a concise manner. The card also has a so-called green card number.
Lifted the green card abroad?
In a large area, border controls on the presence of a green card have been lifted. However, in most countries, when checked, or in the event of a collision, you must show that your motor vehicle is insured. In principle, you can do this by showing the green card. Of course, the car insurance must then be valid. You used to be obliged to take this with you if you went abroad with the car. This is no longer the case but it is still advisable to bring the green card.
Does a green card have to be green?
In many European countries it is no longer compulsory for the green card to be green. This applies to all EU countries, with the exception of Belgium. In addition, the Green Card is not required in Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. However, even though it is not compulsory in these countries, we still recommend that you always take your green card with you.
Green card required?
The countries below do require you to have the green card with you and therefore it must be printed on green paper:
Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
In which countries is the Green Card covered?
This varies by insurance company, but the countries listed below are covered by most companies. However, we advise you to check this carefully before you go abroad.
- Albania
- Andorra
- Belgium
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Germany
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Croatia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Morocco
- Malta
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Ukraine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Czech Republic
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Belarus
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Country does not appear on the green card
For countries that are crossed out or do not even appear on the green card, insurance can usually be purchased at the border.
Separate green card for a trailer?
Are you going abroad with a trailer or caravan? You may have to apply for a second green card for your trailer or caravan. In the Netherlands, trailers and caravans are (co-)insured on the third-party insurance of the towing vehicle. Your green card will then mention the code AF. Are you going to Germany, Poland or Spain with a trailer or caravan? Then you need a second green card if your trailer or caravan is heavier than 750 kg. These heavy trailers or caravans have their own license plates. Therefore, in these countries you need a second green card on the license plate of the trailer or caravan. If you need a separate green card for your trailer or caravan, we advise you to apply for a (separate) green card early.
Green card expired what now?
In principle, before your green card expires, you will receive a new copy from your insurance company. The green card is always valid 1 month longer than the insurance period. This is to prevent that when you are abroad your green card has just expired.
Does the green card really have to be green?
After taking out a car insurance policy, the insurer (usually) sends the green card. It seems logical that this card is really green, otherwise it would have a different name. But is it possible that the card has a different colour or does the green card really have to have that colour?
Apply for a new green card?
If you have not received a new green card or you have lost your green card, you can apply for a new green card very easily and completely free of charge.
8 things you need to know about the green card
Everyone with car insurance has one: the green card. You get it automatically when you buy car insurance. However, there are many misunderstandings about the green card. For example, it doesn't necessarily have to be green and in some countries you have to carry it compulsorily. 8 things you need to know about the green card.
1. A green card does not have to be green
The green card used to be a certificate of insurance on green paper. Nowadays, the card comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. However, the "normal" paper green card still exists. Nowadays, you can also get a digital card and a credit card-sized card.
If you receive a paper green card from your insurer, the card is almost always green. Do you receive a PDF from an insurer and print it out yourself? Then the card does not necessarily have to be green, it is not required. Note! Some countries do require you to carry a paper green card.
2. The card is an international insurance certificate
You get the green card from your insurer after you take out car insurance. With the green card you can show that your car is insured. The card is also valid abroad. Yet a green card doesn't actually prove at all whether the insurance is valid.
3. The green card is not compulsory in the Netherlands. It is in some other countries
In the Netherlands and many other countries it is not mandatory to carry the green card. There are a few countries where it is mandatory to have a (paper) green card with you. You can read this on your green card.
4. The card is valid for one year. Or is it?
The green card has a validity date on it. Usually, the card is valid for one year. However, many green cards state that it is valid for 13 months. When renewing an insurance year, the insurer automatically sends a new green card. You may find yourself on vacation just around the time of renewal. To avoid sitting abroad with an invalid green card, it is valid for 13 months instead of 12.
5. You may need a separate green card for your caravan or trailer
Going on vacation with the caravan? Then sometimes you need a separate green card. In Germany, Spain and Poland, for example, you are required to carry a separate green card if your caravan exceeds 750 kilograms. You request this second green card from the insurer.
6. If your green card is lost or stolen, you can apply for a new one
You can very easily request a new card using the form below. Keep in mind that it will take several days before you receive the card by mail.
7. Always take the green card with you on holiday
Even though the green card is not compulsory in every country, it is still useful to have it with you at all times. It contains important information, such as telephone numbers of authorities you can call in case of an accident, breakdown or theft. It also contains the details of your policy and insurer.
8. The card does not only apply to the car
The green card applies to any motor vehicle. So even if you go abroad with your motorcycle, scooter or motorhome, don't forget to bring the green card.
When is a green card not a proof of insurance?
As crazy as it sounds, actually a green card (proof of insurance) is not proof at all. The insurer issues the card once a year, at the beginning of the insurance year. If you pay the premium late during that insurance year, you end up having no coverage.
Read also:
Made possible by klantenvertellen.nl
Based on 3343 reviews
Related pages about the green card
We can be reached via Chat, Whatsapp, phone or email
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more.
We are here today until 18:00