Green Card - travel abroad with a vehicle
The Green Card system covers almost all European countries and some countries bordering Europe.
The system means that you do not need to purchase MTPL insurance in any of the participating countries, as your Swedish MTPL insurance is valid there as well.
The most important points in brief
- A Green Card is an international insurance card that certifies that your vehicle has valid MTPL insurance.
- The Green Card system covers almost all European countries and some countries bordering Europe.
- The system allows you to travel freely across borders, but some countries require you to present a Green Card upon entry.
- A Green Card is issued by your insurance company. Be sure to order it well in advance of your departure.
- If you do not have a Green Card with you when entering a country that requires one, you must take out Frontier Insurance at the border.
- Take your vehicle’s insurance policy and registration certificate with you when travelling abroad. This is compulsory in some countries.
Order a Green Card
A Green Card is a document you order from your insurance company. Be sure to order it well in advance of your departure.
The insurance company will issue a Green Card for the time you plan to be abroad, up to the end of the period for which your policy is paid. Thus you must have an insurance policy that is valid for the entire period you intend to be abroad.
Take the vehicle’s insurance policy and registration certificate with you when you travel abroad. This is compulsory in some countries. Remember also that the rules for your vehicle and the requirements of you as a driver or owner may differ considerably from country to country, even within the EU/EEA area.
Travelling without a Green Card?
If you do not have a Green Card with you when entering a country that requires one, you must take out what is called Frontier Insurance at the border.
Frontier Insurance covers claims your vehicle gives rise to concerning third parties or property, in accordance with the country where the claim arises. The insurance does not cover damage to your vehicle.
Countries that do not require a Green Card
In these countries you do not need to have a Green Card with you, but you must of course have MTPL insurance:
- Andorra
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Croatia
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Switzerland
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Hungary
- Austria
Countries that require a Green Card
- Albania
- Azerbaijan
- Morocco
- Moldova
- North Macedonia
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
Special rules in certain countries
Kosovo
The Green Card is not valid in Kosovo, as Kosovo is not a member state of the United Nations.
When entering Kosovo, you must take out a special Frontier Insurance policy. The policy can be purchased at border crossing points. More information is available from the Kosovo Insurance Bureau.
Frontier Insurance provides cover similar to Swedish MTPL insurance. In brief, it covers personal injuries and damage to other people's property, but not damage to your own vehicle. Check with your insurer whether the other parts of your motor insurance policy are valid in Kosovo.
Are you unsure about what applies?
If you are unsure about what applies in the country or countries you are travelling to, contact your insurance company and find out.
More about the Green Card system
The Green Card system is co-ordinated by COB (formerly Council of Bureaux) in Brussels. COB is an international organisation that operates in the vehicle insurance sector and acts to protect claimants in cross-border traffic accidents. Read more about COB on their website.