Do I need a Green Card to drive in Europe?
· updated
UK plates with a valid UK policy: usually no Green Card in the EU since 2 August 2021 — that policy already gives minimum third-party cover, and you typically do not carry a card (gov.uk). You still need Europolis if there is no valid UK policy, your insurer will not cover the trip, or you are heading outside that list (Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey and similar). Beinsurance issues the EU frontier policy online from €78 / 15 days — order EU cover online on the English checkout.
Who needs what
| Plates and cover | What you use in the EU |
|---|---|
| UK plates + valid UK policy | Usually the UK policy itself. Minimum third-party cover in the EU since 2 August 2021. No Green Card to carry in the EU. |
| UK plates, no cover / insurer refuses the trip | Europolis (EU frontier cover) from €78 / 15 days on the English checkout. |
| US, Canada, UAE and other non-EU plates without a recognised card | Europolis. A home policy often does not travel. See Green Card insurance for non-European vehicles. |
| After a ferry unloading | Marine or cargo insurance on the container is not road third-party cover. You still need a valid UK policy or Europolis once the car is on the road. |
UK rules since 2 August 2021
Official gov.uk guidance: all UK vehicle insurance gives at least third-party cover in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. You do not need to carry a Green Card in those places, plus Montenegro. You still need valid insurance. A valid UK policy is not a promise that every border will always refuse entry without a paper card — that is not how the waiver works.
You may still need extra proof or a local policy for countries outside that list — Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey and others. Check the country before you drive. For Turkey, buy Turkish car insurance; Europolis does not replace it.
What a Green Card actually is
A Green Card is an international certificate of compulsory third-party motor insurance. It proves minimum liability cover for damage you cause to other people, vehicles or property. It is not comprehensive cover for your own car, and it is not the same as a UK short-trip app sold as “temporary European car insurance”.
Ferry ticket ≠ road policy
Booking a ferry or shipping a car does not create EU motor third-party cover. Cargo insurance on a container protects the shipment, not the legal duty to insure the car on a European road after unloading. Sort the road policy before you drive off the dock.
Order EU cover online when the UK policy is not enough
Beinsurance sells Europolis — EU frontier cover issued by a licensed European insurer. It replaces a missing Green Card for travel in the EU plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. Passenger cars from €78 / 15 days. This is not a US brand that uses the word “frontier” on its own, and it is not Turkish MTPL.
Order EU cover onlineEnglish checkout — policy by email.
If you have an accident
- Secure the scene and call 112 in the EU when anyone is hurt or the damage is serious.
- Exchange insurance details. UK drivers show the UK certificate; Europolis holders show that policy.
- Fill in a European Accident Statement only if you understand it; wait for the police if you do not.
- Tell the insurer on the document you were using as soon as you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Green Card to drive in Europe?
UK plates with a valid UK policy usually do not: since 2 August 2021 the policy already gives minimum third-party cover in the EU, and you typically do not carry a Green Card there (gov.uk). You still need Europolis if you have no valid UK policy, your insurer will not cover the trip, or you are going outside the gov.uk list — Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey and similar. US, Canadian, UAE and other non-EU plates without a recognised card buy Europolis on the English checkout from €78 / 15 days.
Does UK car insurance cover Europe?
Yes for the legal minimum. gov.uk: every UK vehicle policy gives at least third-party liability in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland. Ask your insurer about theft or damage to your own car. Extra cover such as Europolis is for when that UK policy is missing, refused, or the country is not on the list.
Driving in the EU — do I still need a Green Card?
Usually no if you have UK plates and a valid UK policy. Since 2 August 2021 you do not need to carry a Green Card in the EU, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland. You still need valid insurance. A border will not automatically turn a UK car away just because you have no paper card.
When do I still need Europolis?
When there is no valid UK policy, your insurer will not cover the journey, or the country is outside the gov.uk waiver (Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey and others). The same product covers US, Canadian, UAE and other plates that have no recognised Green Card for the EU. Beinsurance issues Europolis online from €78 / 15 days — order EU cover on the English checkout. This is not the same as a UK “temporary European car insurance” app.
Does ferry or cargo insurance replace road third-party cover?
No. A transatlantic or North Sea ferry ticket, and marine or container cargo insurance, cover the crossing and the goods — not compulsory motor third-party liability once the car is on a European road. After unloading you still need a valid UK policy or Europolis, depending on the plates.
Do I need a Green Card for Turkey?
Turkey is not on the gov.uk “no card needed” list. A UK policy that covers the EU does not automatically become Turkish MTPL. If you drive in Turkey, buy Turkish car insurance separately — it is a different product from Europolis.
Is temporary European car insurance the same as Europolis?
No. Short-trip UK apps sold as “temporary European car insurance” are a different product. Beinsurance sells Europolis (EU frontier cover) for plates that are not already covered for the EU, from €78 / 15 days on the English checkout.
Do US, Canadian or UAE plates need Europolis to enter the EU?
Usually yes. A home policy from the US, Canada or the UAE typically does not travel as recognised EU third-party cover. Europolis is the online EU frontier policy — from €78 / 15 days. After a ferry, cargo cover still does not replace that road policy.
More detail for US, Canadian and UAE plates: Green Card insurance for non-European vehicles. Driving on to Turkey: Turkish car insurance.
Based on gov.uk vehicle insurance / driving abroad and driving in the EU (checked 3 September 2026). Rules can change — confirm with your insurer and the destination before you travel.