The international insurance card at a glance

  • Green Card: Since the 1st of July 2020, the card has been known as the ‘International Motor Insurance Certificate’.

  • Proof of insurance cover: The Green Card serves as official proof that your vehicle is covered by valid liability insurance, and it should be taken along on every trip.

  • Compulsory in the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia and Azerbaijan – you cannot enter these countries without a valid Green Card.

  • Recommended in the following countries: Italy, Serbia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Great Britain and Northern Ireland – here, it is advisable to carry the Green Card.

  • No longer compulsory in many countries: In all other European countries, the vehicle number plate is considered sufficient proof of insurance cover.

  • Validity: The international insurance card from V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a is valid for two years.

How to order the international insurance card

  1. Enter your email address and vehicle registration number.

  2. Take time to check your input.

  3. Send your order with a single click. You will receive the documents by email.

Your advantages with the Green Card

  • Thanks to this proof of insurance, you can travel throughout Europe with peace of mind.

  • Makes the exchange of information and processing of claims easier in the event of an accident.

  • Simply order online and receive the card digitally or by post.

For your car journey abroad, you need the Green Card as proof of insurance. Order the Green Card using our online form – quickly, easily, conveniently and free of charge.

Frequently asked questions about the international insurance card

You require the international motor insurance card, also known as the Green Card, if you are travelling abroad by car and need to provide proof of your liability insurance there.

In many European countries, it is no longer compulsory, but it is required in the following countries:

  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • North Macedonia
  • Montenegro
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • Moldova
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Azerbaijan

You will find up-to-date information about territorial scope on the website of the Swiss National Bureau of Insurance and the Swiss National Guarantee Fund.

Carrying the Green Card is also recommended in the following nations and territories, even though it is not compulsory there:

  • Italy
  • Serbia
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Hungary
  • Great Britain
  • Northern Ireland

The international motor insurance card is also helpful in the event of an accident abroad, as it contains your insurance details in several languages. If you have taken out car insurance with us, you can order the card free of charge before your next trip abroad.

With V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a, the international motor insurance card (Green Card) is valid for one year. The expiry date is shown on the card.

Before each trip abroad, check whether your Green Card is still valid and apply for a new one in good time if necessary.

In many countries, the Green Card for cars is no longer compulsory, but it is still obligatory in some, if you are entering by car.

The Green Card is currently mandatory in the following countries:

  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • North Macedonia
  • Montenegro
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • Moldova
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Azerbaijan

Please note that the regulations are subject to change. You will find up-to-date information about territorial scope on the website of the Swiss National Bureau of Insurance and the Swiss National Guarantee Fund.

If a country is not listed on the international motor insurance card (Green Card), this does not automatically mean that you need additional insurance there.

There are two possibilities:

  1. EU/EEA countries, and countries with a number plate agreement:
    In many countries, the vehicle number plate is sufficient proof of insurance. A Green Card is not required there. This applies, for example, to Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Belgium.
  2. Countries without an agreement:
    If a country is not listed on the Green Card and does not have an agreement with Switzerland, you will need to take out border insurance locally. You can usually do this directly at the border crossing.

Thus, you should check the regulations in force in the respective country before every trip, so as not to be left without cover.

If you enter a country where the international motor insurance card is compulsory and you do not have it with you, this can cause problems:

  • You can be refused entry by car at the border.
  • Some countries require you to take out border insurance on the spot in order to be allowed to continue your journey.
  • If you are involved in an accident abroad without a valid international motor insurance card, also known simply as ‘Green Card’, this can lead to delays or complications during claims handling.

It is therefore best to apply for the card well in advance of your trip. It is free of charge if you have car insurance with V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a and it can be obtained by email. A digital version is sufficient in some countries, but to be on the safe side, it is advisable to have a printed copy.

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autoversicherung

V⁠i⁠s⁠a⁠n⁠a Services AG

Headquarters

Weltpoststrasse 19

3000 Bern 16

Phone: 0848 848 899 (DE/FR/IT)