What is a green card?

Regardless of the language, it is clear what the information on the card means. This card was developed about 70 years ago to protect victims of traffic accidents when the at-fault party is driving a foreign vehicle. Drivers were required to carry this proof with them when driving abroad. It’s also convenient for drivers, as it contains all the necessary information about their auto insurance. The green card still exists, but it’s usually no longer required.

When is a Green Card required?

In the Netherlands, you are not required to carry a green card with you as a general rule. In someEU countries, however, it is mandatory to carry a green card. This is because you must be able to prove that your car has at least third-party liability insurance. In popular vacation destinations such as France, Spain, and Italy, you do not need to carry a Green Card. Are you driving to Albania, Morocco, or Turkey, among other places? Then you will need your Green Card. Still, it’s a good idea to carry your Green Card with you even in the Netherlands. It contains your insurance details and the phone numbers to call in case of an accident or breakdown.

What does a green card look like?

The green card is a card or paper document that contains the most important details about your auto insurance. The green card lists the insured license plate number, the period during which the car is insured, the countries in which the car is insured, the card number, and the insurer’s contact information. The advantage of a green card is that it has the same format throughout Europe, making it easy to read even abroad—for example, by the police.

As of July 1, 2020, the green card is no longer green—it’s white. It is now printed on white paper instead of green paper. You can now also print the green card yourself in black and white.

Is a green card the same as a vehicle registration certificate?

The green card and the vehicle registration certificate are two different things. The green card is an international insurance certificate. It allows you to prove that your car has at least third-party liability insurance. You receive the green card after taking out car insurance. The vehicle registration certificate is your car’s identification document. It allows you to prove that you are the owner of the car. You receive the vehicle registration certificate when you purchase the car. The Green Card does, however, list the car’s license plate number.

When do you need to carry your green card with you?

In the Netherlands, it has not been mandatory to carry your car’s green card with you since 1972. However, it is still advisable to always bring the green card with you when you go on a road trip. This is because the card contains a lot of useful information. If you break down on the road or are involved in an accident, you’ll always have your insurance information and important phone numbers at your fingertips.

In the Netherlands, you must carry your green card with you when driving unregistered vehicles, such as tractors.

Green Card number

Every Green Card has a Green Card number. This is a combination of your auto insurance policy number, the insurer’s code, and the code for the country where you live. You must enter this number on the European accident report form. In addition to the number, the card contains a summary of all your insurance details. It’s a good idea to always carry your green card with you when you’re on the road. You never know when you might need the green card number.

Green Card for a Car

It’s not just cars that have a green card as proof of insurance. Any other motor vehicles you own also require such proof. The green card applies to every motor vehicle. However, it is not the same as the one for a car. You need a separate green card for each motor vehicle. You’ll also receive a green card for your motorcycle, scooter, or RV. When you travel abroad, be sure to bring it with you.

Lost Green Card

If you’ve lost your Green Card or it’s been stolen, you’ll need to request a new one. If you’re insured through Alpina, you can request a new Green Card online—it’s free. You’ll then receive the Green Card by mail or email. In some cases, you’ll even receive the new Green Card both by mail and by email. If you receive the card by mail, please keep in mind that it may take a few days for it to arrive.

Green Card Required

In the Netherlands, it is not mandatory to carry a green card with you. Of course, you must at least have liability insurance for your car. Once you’ve purchased car insurance, you’ll receive the green card. Although it’s not mandatory in the Netherlands to always carry it with you, it is recommended. Make it a habit to carry your green card with you whenever you drive, just as you do with your driver’s license.

Green Card for a Caravan

In the Netherlands, caravans are (co-)insured under the liability insurance of the towing vehicle. However, this does not apply in a number of other countries. Are you going on vacation with your caravan? If so, you may need a separate green card for your caravan. In Germany, Spain, Croatia, and Poland, you’re required to carry a separate green card for your caravan if it weighs more than 750 kilograms. You can request this second green card from your insurer.

Germany Green Card

In Germany, you are not required to carry a green card with you. You must, however, be able to prove that your car is insured. If you’re going on vacation to Germany with a trailer, however, as you can read here, you must carry a green card with you. The green card is sometimes confused with the (green) environmental sticker. These are, however, two different things that generally have nothing to do with each other.

Green Card Countries

In many countries today, it is not necessary to carry a green card with you. However, there are certainly still plenty of countries where it is mandatory to carry an original green card. That is, a card printed on green paper, not a copy. The original Green Card is required for the following countries: Albania, Bosnia (and Herzegovina), Israel, Iran, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Macedonia, and Belarus.
If you’re traveling to or driving through any of these countries, make sure you have an original paper Green Card with you.

Green Card policy number

You’re no doubt aware that the Green Card contains a lot of useful information. Your auto insurance policy number is part of the Green Card number. This policy number is a unique code under which your auto insurance is registered with your insurer and/or broker. The Green Card policy number is therefore not the same as the Green Card number you enter on the European accident report form; it is merely a small part of it.

Green Card Abroad

Even though a green card isn’t always required abroad, it’s still a good idea to always have it with you. So be sure to bring the card with you whenever you travel abroad (on vacation). It may not be required in your destination country, but you should also consider the countries you’ll be driving through to reach your destination. In those countries, it may indeed be mandatory to carry the card. In addition, the Green Card serves as easy proof—in the event of a traffic stop or a collision—that your vehicle is insured. Of course, it’s important that your car is actually insured.

Download the Green Card

Most insurers no longer mail the Green Card, but instead allow you to download it online. You can then print and keep the Green Card yourself. Before July 1, 2020, the Green Card was actually green, but recently it has been changed to white. This makes it easier to print—simply in black and white. Would you like to download your Green Card? You can usually do this in your personal account on the insurer’s website. You’ll also often receive the Green Card via email.

Digital Green Card

These days, you can download your Green Card digitally from virtually any insurance provider. You can then print the Green Card yourself. In the Netherlands, you are not required to keep the Green Card in your car. However, if you’re driving abroad, some countries do require you to have it with you. Abroad, a Green Card displayed on a phone or tablet—or a screenshot of the digital version—is not accepted. It’s a good idea to keep the Green Card in your car and save it on your phone. That way, you’ll always have your insurance information and important phone numbers at your fingertips.

Green Card

The green card can be either a card or a document. Because more and more insurers are no longer mailing the green card but are sharing it digitally, it is becoming less common to have a physical card. You can print the document yourself on white paper. Although it is not mandatory in the Netherlands to carry a green card in your car, it is recommended. This is because the Green Card also lists important phone numbers you’ll need in case of a breakdown or accident. It’s therefore best to always keep a digital Green Card with you, for example by saving the PDF file on your phone.

Apply for a Green Card

You’ll receive your green card after taking out auto insurance. Then, every year when you renew your auto insurance, you’ll automatically receive a new green card. So you don’t need to request the green card yourself. Your personal information is also listed on the green card. Have you moved? If so, your green card with the old address remains valid. In that case, you do not need to request a new green card. When you renew your auto insurance, you’ll automatically receive a green card with your new address on it.

Green Card valid

The expiration date of your Green Card is printed on the card itself. In principle, a Green Card is valid for one year. However, most Green Cards are valid for 13 months. Every year, when you renew your insurance, the insurer will automatically send you a new green card. Of course, you might be on vacation right around the time your auto insurance is due for renewal. That’s why we’ve chosen to make the green card valid for 13 months. This prevents you from being abroad with an invalid green card.