Finally the Green Card issue has been resolved.
From 2 September 2021, drivers travelling to a member of the European Community or a country that has agreed to follow the EU directive will no longer require a Green Card to travel.
Following our departure from the EU drivers who planned to drive there had to take a paper copy of a Green Card with them to prove their vehicle was insured for the relevant country. Now the EU has agreed to readmit the UK to the ‘Free circulation area’ from 2 August 2021.
However, drivers will still need to carry a Green Card for at least a month after that date to allow time for everyone to be updated, such as borders and road policing authorities.
It is important to remember though that drivers will still need to take their certificate of motor insurance with them to provide evidence of insurance, even after the Green Card is no longer needed.
As travel opens up again following the pandemic this relaxation of rules will give extra freedom for both business and private drivers. However, not all countries on the European continent are covered by the scheme and it is vital that anyone planning to take their vehicle overseas checks that not just their destination is covered but also any country they may need to drive through as well. The new regulations will cover the following countries:
Andorra Germany Netherlands
Austria Gibraltar Norway
Belgium Greece Poland
Bosnia and Herzegovina Hungary Portugal
Bulgaria Iceland Romania
Croatia Ireland Serbia
Cyprus Italy, San Marino & Vatican State Slovak Republic
Czech Republic Latvia Slovenia
Denmark Liechtenstein Spain
Estonia Lithuania Sweden
Finland Luxemburg Switzerland
France Malta UK
If you are planning a trip abroad with your vehicle during the next few months it is worth talking with your insurance broker or provider to ensure that you are carrying the correct documents for the countries you wish to visit.
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 Commission has taken a pragmatic approach on the matter. UK drivers will no longer need to apply for a green card through their insurer which will help reduce bureaucracy for drivers and road hauliers travelling between the UK and EU. It will be especially welcomed by motorists in Northern Ireland driving across the border to the Republic of Ireland.”
