The transition period between the UK and EU ended at 11pm on 31st December 2020. Whilst a deal has been agreed, you will now need a Green Card to drive in the European Economic Area (EEA) and some other countries (Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland). A list of EEA countries is available here. There is no change to the cover of your insurance policy.
Customers who are based in Northern Ireland will automatically be issued with a Green Card. Please contact us at least 2 weeks in advance if you are planning on travelling abroad.
There may also be other vehicle requirements so please check the Government website prior to any travel. More information can be found here.
A Green Card is an international certificate of insurance issued by insurance providers, guaranteeing that the motorist has the necessary minimum motor insurance cover for driving in the country being travelled to.
You will need a Green Card to travel anywhere within the EU plus various other countries.
Please note that a Green Card does not change your cover, it's evidence of the most basic legal minimum cover.
Your policy provides the minimum cover (in case you are responsible for injuring someone else or damaging their property) through large parts of Europe. You will need a Green Card if you are driving to any of the following:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Yes, it does. You may be refused entry to the country or you may be accused of driving without insurance and could be subject to a fine, having your vehicle seized or prosecution. This would not be covered by your insurance.
Yes, you will. Because the Republic of Ireland is in the EU, you will need a Green Card to drive there, even though the cover provided by your insurance allows this automatically. This means that if you have our comprehensive cover, you are still covered as normal but need to contact us to get a Green Card.
Yes, you will. We realise that customers in Northern Ireland may cross into the EU on a very regular basis so we have issued customers there with a Green Card automatically and will send you a new one if you make any relevant changes to your policy, such as a change of van or named drivers. If you need it urgently please do contact us as we may be able to email it to you, but you'll need to print it double-sided, you cannot rely on an electronic only version.
If you change your van or insure it elsewhere, any Green Card we have sent you will no longer be valid.
We can send you a Green Card for free. However, this only proves that you have the minimum cover. When you have Direct Line Van Insurance, your policy automatically provides up to 90 days Foreign Use during each year of your policy. Please refer to the "Territorial limits and foreign use" section in your policy booklet for more detail.
You should contact us on the number provided in your documents. Because you need a physical document, we recommend you allow at least two weeks for us to process and send this to you.
Our lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday and 9am-2pm Sunday. The opening times for your brand will be on your policy documents.
We may also be able to email a copy of your Green Card to you. However, you will need to print it yourself, you cannot rely on an electronic only version.
You will need a Green Card to drive in the European Economic Area (EEA) and some other countries (Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland). A list of EEA countries is available here.
If you need a Green Card urgently, please do contact us as we may be able to email it to you. However, you will need to print it yourself, you cannot rely on an electronic only version. There is no change to the cover of your insurance policy.
No, you need to contact us so we can reissue it. Your Green Card needs to match up to our records for you to be covered.
Please contact us, we'll need to issue a second Green Card for you. You will also need to arrange renewing your policy.
If you're switching insurers, you need to speak to both insurers to make sure you have the necessary documents.
Yes, some EEA and EU countries require a separate Green Card as proof of insurance for your trailer, including caravans. If you are travelling with a trailer, contact us to get two Green Cards: one for the towing vehicle, and one for the trailer. We recommend you allow at least two weeks for us to process and send this to you.
You need one Green Card for every van you take into the countries listed above.
If you hire a vehicle in the UK and drive it abroad, you will need the permission of the hirer and a Green Card from the vehicle's insurers.
If you plan on flying abroad and hiring a van when you're there, then you won't normally need a Green Card: for instance, if you're in Spain and travel to Portugal or France. You may still require an International Driving Permit though. However, if you hire a van in the Republic of Ireland and travel to Northern Ireland the UK Government has confirmed you would not need a Green Card.
Please refer to the latest Government advice which can be found here.
This form has many different names, e.g. it's known as a "constat amiable" in France and a "DAA" in Spain. It's not a legal requirement but it's sensible to print one off and take it with you, as completing it is standard practice in many countries, and it will ensure you understand what the questions are, since the format is identical regardless of language.
EU GB number plates will no longer be valid. These are plates with a "GB" country identifier (or other UK variations, e.g. Cymru) surrounded by the EU star design. You will need to have a GB (or other UK variation) sticker or a number plate without the EU stars.
It's a good idea to speak to your breakdown provider to check you have cover for taking your van to Europe.
Yes. Passport validity rules are changing. You can check if you need to update your passport here. Because many passports may now need updating, you should allow extra time.
The European Health Insurance Card allows holders to get reciprocal healthcare at the same terms as nationals of that country – this doesn't necessarily mean free of charge. It's likely that EHIC will cease to be valid so it's especially important to buy travel insurance. If you do have any existing medical conditions, it's important to discuss them with your insurer.
The Pet Passport scheme has now ended for UK holders, meaning you can no longer use a Pet Passport issued in Great Britain. You can read more about this here, and it's a good idea to speak to your vet at least four months before you intend to travel.
