A major change to car insurance has gone live today as motorists will now be able to use digital Green Cards on their mobile devices as proof of insurance when driving abroad.
The new system will eliminate the need to carry printed documents when travelling through countries in the Green Card system, making international driving more convenient for both holidaymakers and business travellers.
This digital transformation comes as a result of work by the Motor Insurers Bureau in partnership with Council of Bureaux, which manages the Green Card system across 47 countries in Europe and beyond.
The change represents the first time that digital Green Cards have been accepted across all participating nations in the system’s history.
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From January 1 2025 drivers can use digital Green Cards on their mobile devices as proof of insurance
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Countries now accepting digital Green Cards include Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Morocco, North Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Motorists must request a digital Green Card from their insurer before travelling to any of these destinations.
For travel to other countries within what is known as the Green Card Free Circulation Area, UK motorists will not require a Green Card at all.
This free circulation zone includes all countries in the European Economic Area, as well as Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Switzerland.
The digital format will be accepted either as a PDF document or can be displayed directly on a mobile device when required at borders or during police checks.
Angus Eaton, CEO at MIB said: “Expanding the use of digital Green Cards is a significant step forward in simplifying cross-border travel experiences for motorists.
“By allowing all drivers to carry a digital Green Card on a mobile device, instead of a physical copy, this makes the process of taking a vehicle abroad quicker and easier for everyone involved.
“We’d like to thank COB and our wider international counterparts, for helping to ensure the digital Green Card scheme could be expanded.”
He added that as UK Green Card system representatives, they will “continue our vital work to ensure cross-border travel stays hassle-free, to help keep drivers moving across Europe and beyond.”
A Green Card serves as an international certificate of insurance, providing proof that visiting motorists meet the minimum compulsory insurance requirements of the country they are visiting.
For UK drivers, all valid UK motor insurance automatically provides at least the minimum level of cover required for driving in the EU.
However, coverage levels can vary when driving abroad. Some policies maintain the same level of protection as in the UK, while others may only provide third-party liability coverage.
This means that in the event of an accident, drivers might only be covered for damage to other vehicles involved, not their own, unless they have specifically arranged additional coverage.
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Car insurance is compulsory when driving abroad
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MIB advises motorists to follow several key steps when planning to drive abroad. Drivers should first ensure they have valid UK car insurance and can check their vehicle’s insurance status online.
It’s recommended to contact insurers at least six weeks in advance when requesting a Green Card to ensure timely arrangements.
