On 30th June 2021, the European Commission announced a decision to waive the obligation to produce motor insurance Green Cards for drivers from the UK.

Following the UK’s departure from the EU (Brexit), on 01 January 2021 the requirement to show a Green Card when travelling to EU countries has been in place for all UK motorists. This enabled drivers to legally use their vehicle in an European Economic Area (EEA) Country (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland). 

Now, with this decision from the EU to scrap the Green Card obligation, UK drivers will soon be free to travel into EEA countries, without the need to request a Green Card from their insurers. 

Please note, this has not yet taken effect so drivers entering the EU must continue to obtain a green card from their insurer in the meantime.  *We will provide an update when the need to obtain a green card is no longer required.

Huw Evans, Director General at the Association of British Insurers said:

“This is excellent news. We have long campaigned for the UK to be part of the Green Card Free Circulation Zone so we warmly welcome the decision by the European Commission today”

The decision means that the UK is, again, part of the Green Card Free Circulation Zone, and this is very welcome news for both commercial and private motor policyholders, and the industry as a whole.

*UPDATE 16/07/2021 – The decision made by the European Commission to scrap the Green Cards for UK drivers will take effect from 2nd August 2021. Drivers must continue to carry a green card until 2nd August 2021.