The green card is an international certificate of insurance providing visiting motorists with proof of the minimum compulsory insurance cover required by the law of the country visited. 47 countries in Europe, Asia and North Africa participate in the Green Card System.

Responsibility for issuing green cards is given to national organisations (MIB performs that role in the UK). MIB delegates this responsibility to insurers by allowing them to print and issue their own cards to policy holders based on their chosen level of risks. MIB members may contact our team at: GCardInsurerEnquiry@mib.org.uk

As a signatory to the Council of Bureaux Multilateral Agreement, MIB stands behind UK green cards and becomes involved in reimbursing the foreign bureau (which would deal with the claimant) if the at fault UK-registered vehicle is uninsured or the insurer does not reimburse within time limits.

The UK is part of the Green Card Free Circulation Area, which comprises all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries as well as Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Switzerland. UK-based drivers do not need to carry green cards for their vehicles when travelling to these countries.

Government guidance on insurance for driving abroad may be found here.

Information on issuing green cards is given in MIB Members’ guide and Green Card Q&A.

The authorities in countries which have ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic may require proof of registration for trailers or caravans over 750 kg gross weight. Following the UK’s ratification of the Convention in 2018, the Department for Transport chose not to impose a compulsory registration requirement for private trailers or caravans being taken abroad although it did impose such a requirement for commercial trailers. Voluntary registration of private trailers or caravans remains possible. Government guidance on trailer registration may be found here.