Do I need a green card for the country I am going to?

Few countries ask for the card, but one of them may be on your road. Pick the country.

The green card is needed in eight countries: Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia and Azerbaijan.
In the countries of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Andorra the plate is enough.
Your insurer issues it, and it covers liability only.

Check

The journey

Where you are going Which country you cross

The answer

Green card: Needed
Cost of the card: €0

Turkey asks for a green card at the border.
Ask your insurer for it before you leave. It holds while the policy runs.
Without a card you buy frontier insurance on the spot: you pay more and get the local minimum limits.

The card runs from midnight on the day of issue and ends with the policy at the latest.
It follows the vehicle, not the driver. A trailer with its own plate needs its own card.

Where they ask for the card

At the borders of these countries you show the green card: Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia and Azerbaijan.

Where the plate is enough

In these countries the Greek plate proves the insurance: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Andorra.

Where the card does not reach

Greek insurance is not valid in Russia and Belarus from 30 May 2023, nor in Iran, suspended since 1 January 2024. It is not valid in Israel or in any other country outside the system either. There you need insurance from that country itself. The green card: which countries need it and what it costs.

The answer for each country

Turkey, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, Iran, Israel.

How we work it out

The lists come from the terms of Hellas Direct and from the pages of the British and the Polish green card bureaux. The Motor Insurers Bureau of Greece issues the cards of Greek insurers through the system of the Council of Bureaux. A journey is decided by the strictest country it crosses: if one country on the road asks for a card, you need it.

The card proves only compulsory third-party liability, up to the limit of the country of the accident if that limit is higher than the Greek one. It takes no optional cover abroad. The vehicle insurance check.

Sources

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Frequently asked questions

What people usually ask

01 Do I need a green card for Bulgaria?

No. Bulgaria is in the European Union, where the Greek plate is enough. Take the card with you anyway: it helps in an accident.

02 I am driving to Germany through North Macedonia. Do I need it?

Yes. North Macedonia asks for the card at the border, so you need it for the road, even if your destination is a country of the Union.

03 Is Greek insurance valid in Russia or Belarus?

No. Since 30 May 2023 the countries of the European Economic Area and Switzerland have ended their green card agreements with both countries.

04 What does a green card cost?

Ask your insurer. In the terms of Hellas Direct, for example, the card comes with the policy, by email, at no charge, and holds while the policy runs.

05 What happens if I reach the border without a card?

In a country that asks for it you buy frontier insurance on the spot. You pay more and get the local minimum limits. A phone call to your insurer before you leave saves you that.