Green Card?

[nortada]

Suggest everyone checks who is covered on their Green card as many its just policyholder and not other named drivers.

In Portugal, vehicles, not drivers, are insured so anybody can drive on the policy.

Reference Green Card, I suspect the GNR are unlikely to check if the driver is the policy holder.

 

[claymore]

I got this from my Broker - hope it helps

Brexit - Everything you need to know about Green* Cards


From 1 January 2021, you will need a Green Card if you are driving your vehicle in Europe



What is a Green Card?

• A Green Card is a physical document that acts as evidence of compulsory motor insurance required by the law of the EEA country in which travel will take place.

They are not “cards” in the strict sense – they are paper documents (digital copies are not currently accepted)

*Black and White is the new Green
Insurers are now able to issue Green Cards that are in black ink on white paper and send them directly to policyholders by e-mail, who can later print them in black ink on white paper.

Issuing Green Cards in black ink on green paper is still permitted, but all countries must recognise black on white Green Cards from visiting motorists.

Who needs a Green Card?

From 1 January 2021, a Green Card is required for each vehicle (including fleet/commercial vehicles) from the UK travelling in the EU, EEA, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland. For instance, you will require a Green Card if you are driving from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.



This is true even if your motor policy has a foreign use extension.

It applies to both personal and commercial use of vehicles. If you are towing a trailer or caravan you will need a separate Green Card for the trailer or caravan.



What if my policy renews with a different insurer whilst I am travelling abroad?

If you think you may be driving your vehicle in one of the countries listed above, after 31 December 2020, and your policy renews whilst you are abroad; you will need to obtain a Green Card for both policies (including, if there are different insurers, one from each insurer) before you leave.





How do I obtain a Green Card?

Please contact your Broker / motor insurer(s) or visit their website for information on how they plan to issue Green Cards. You should allow sufficient time for an insurer to process your request – we suggest contacting them at least 6 weeks ahead of your planned travel.



Will there be a charge for issuing a Green Card?

Insurers may make a charge for issuing a Green Card. This will vary from insurer to insurer.



What happens if I travel without a Green Card?

• From 1 January 2021, you may be breaking the law by driving your vehicle in Europe if you do not have a Green Card. If drivers do not carry a Green Card their vehicle could be seized, they could face a fine and/or the risk of prosecution.

 

[syvictoria]

Suggest everyone checks who is covered on their Green card as many its just policyholder and not other named drivers.

I sincerely hope that's not correct! That would be an infringement of (first world) human rights! (Bit OTT, I know!!!)

If you're a couple with only one car, for example, you would not ordinarily both be policyholders. I know it seems to be very old fashioned nowadays to not have a 'spare car for the wife', but we don't! That means one of us is only a named driver and has no policy of their own.

Insuring a car twice is not advised by the insurers as it can affect NCB and cause complications in the event of a claim. I had thought that it was illegal, but a quick Google suggests otherwise.

 

[syvictoria]

In Portugal, vehicles, not drivers, are insured so anybody can drive on the policy.

Reference Green Card, I suspect the GNR are unlikely to check if the driver is the policy holder.

Insuring the vehicle and not the driver is arguably a better system than the current UK one. I'm also of the opinion that third party insurance should be included in car tax (or potentially fuel duty), with drivers then only needing 'top up' insurance if they wish to insure fully comp. I think this system is used elsewhere, perhaps Canada?

Re: Portugal, I thought that residents weren't legally allowed to drive foreign registered cars and so the green card is surely a bit of a non-issue for many (most?) based there anyway.

 

[Sailfree]

In Portugal, vehicles, not drivers, are insured so anybody can drive on the policy.

Reference Green Card, I suspect the GNR are unlikely to check if the driver is the policy holder.

Be careful. Anyone can drive but the policyholder must be present in the country.

I know of someone caught. GRN escorted them to policyholders home and car mileage noted. Told they would be fined and car impounded if it was continued to be used.

I suspect its to stop people paying to stay at friends holiday homes in owners absence and borrow car with a small payment so depriving car hire companies of business.

 

[Sailfree]

Insuring the vehicle and not the driver is arguably a better system than the current UK one. I'm also of the opinion that third party insurance should be included in car tax (or potentially fuel duty), with drivers then only needing 'top up' insurance if they wish to insure fully comp. I think this system is used elsewhere, perhaps Canada?

Re: Portugal, I thought that residents weren't legally allowed to drive foreign registered cars and so the green card is surely a bit of a non-issue for many (most?) based there anyway.

Many do so using only their British Licence and claim to be tourists. GRN can check whether they are registered as residents.

Likely to be more difficult after 1st Jan. If you are trying it make sure you have a return ferry trip booked within the 90 day visitor period. Some do this and keep moving Ferry date booking!

 

[Graham376]

As far as I know, green card has always been needed within EU, My Portuguese third party car insurance has the green card at the bottom third of the certificate.

 

[syvictoria]

Suggest everyone checks who is covered on their Green card as many its just policyholder and not other named drivers.

The LV= green card application states "All drivers associated with the named vehicle will be covered, however only the policy holder's name will be shown on the card." Phew!

 

[Graham376]

Many do so using only their British Licence and claim to be tourists. GRN can check whether they are registered as residents.

Likely to be more difficult after 1st Jan. If you are trying it make sure you have a return ferry trip booked within the 90 day visitor period. Some do this and keep moving Ferry date booking!

There is of course the argument of having dual residence (as I have) and which country takes priority for issue of license. Once permanent residence held, one can be out of country for up to two years so would need UK licence.

 

[Graham376]

Agreed. But even without the car (which we abandoned years ago) the hassle of visas, residency and all the rest of the crap has bolloxed it for European cruising. Ok if you just want to stay on a mooring in Faro but not if you want to cruise around.

Having a mooring and cruising around works well, for the folks who decided to take up residence somewhere. Allows 90+ days elsewhere in Schengen so could cruise all the way to Turkey and back to Portugal in a season without breaking any rules. Have sympathy for those unable to take up residence but little for those who just buried their heads.

 

[greeny]

Be careful. Anyone can drive but the policyholder must be present in the country.

Thanks, interesting - I need to check that one out with my insurer as I often lend my car, to friends who don't own one, when I'm away out of the country and don't need it. As do many others in the village. I know that you have to leave a signed permission document if you lend a car to someone to use without you in the vehicle, but have never been told this before.

 

[claymore]

Just had a note from my Broker to say they need to know the dates of travel and whether or not we would be towing anything.
Bummer - we have family in Denmark and are never that sure when we are going (not at all at present!)
If they require 6 weeks when applying for a green card - I think I may have to be a tad casual regarding dates!

 

[Cariadco]

On a slightly different tack, but might be of interest.
I live in Corfu and have a Greek registered car.
On our (normal) trips back to the uk in the summer and over Xmas. my Greek insurers issue a green Letter stating the car is insured to be driven on europe and uk roads.
It's all in Greek!!
Mine is the only name on the green letter and the main policy document, as the insurance covers the car, not the driver. However, and to appease my missus, the insurers add her name onto the green Letter, just in case we get stopped, so a rosser would see our names and tell us to carry on??? That's the plan and so far, not been tested.

 

[Davy_S]

Yes, when i drove my Greek registered car back to the uk, we were given exactly the same Green card! never got stopped or asked for it.

 

[syvictoria]

Just had a note from my Broker to say they need to know the dates of travel and whether or not we would be towing anything.
Bummer - we have family in Denmark and are never that sure when we are going (not at all at present!)
If they require 6 weeks when applying for a green card - I think I may have to be a tad casual regarding dates!

That's surprising, as LV's information states that the green card will be "valid from the date of this request, until your next renewal date".

It does agree that two green cards are needed if you’re towing, one for the car and one for the caravan or trailer, and confirms my post above that all drivers associated with the named vehicle will be covered, despite only the policy holder's name being shown on the card.

(A link for Nortada: Green Card application | LV= )

 

[Sailfree]

Thanks, interesting - I need to check that one out with my insurer as I often lend my car, to friends who don't own one, when I'm away out of the country and don't need it. As do many others in the village. I know that you have to leave a signed permission document if you lend a car to someone to use without you in the vehicle, but have never been told this before.

Don't think it purely an insurance issue but a legal one.

Of course you have to allow that all "rules" in Portugal can get a local interpretation!

The incident i posted though actually happened. We park our Fiat 500 at a friend's house when away rather than leave it at marina. They are aware of this incident and they refuse to use our Fiat once they know we are physically out of the country - even when their car broke down!

 

[Forty_Two]

That's surprising, as LV's information states that the green card will be "valid from the date of this request, until your next renewal date".

It does agree that two green cards are needed if you’re towing, one for the car and one for the caravan or trailer, and confirms my post above that all drivers associated with the named vehicle will be covered, despite only the policy holder's name being shown on the card.

(A link for Nortada: Green Card application | LV= )

Thats exactly right.

You need to have the foreign use extension on your policy then apply for the green card online, arrives within 48hrs, valid for policy year. Max time allowed during the year is 6mths.

They don't need departure or return dates. Done this for two years now.

 

[nortada]

A link for Nortada: Green Card application | LV=

Haven't got a car, so why would I want a Green Card

 

[PlanB]

As far as I know, green card has always been needed within EU, My Portuguese third party car insurance has the green card at the bottom third of the certificate.

Same in Spain.

 

[syvictoria]

Haven't got a car, so why would I want a Green Card

Sorry - my attempt at humour obviously went wrong! I was preempting your usual request for a link!!! ?