A Green Card insurance policy is mandatory for driving in 50 countries. Find out what penalties are provided for drivers if they do not have a Green Card or their insurance policy has expired

Issuing a policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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There are fines for not having a compulsory insurance policy for driving abroad. At the same time, the amount to be paid is several times higher than the cost of the insurance policy itself, even if compared to the price of a Green Card issued for 1 year.

What is more profitable: a Green Card or a local car insurance policy?

Car insurance, for example, in Europe is not a cheap pleasure. For example, in Germany, an insurance policy for a year will cost from 900 euros, and in the Netherlands, some insurance companies charge from 100 euros per month. But at the same time, the final cost of insurance will depend on the country of residence, the chosen insurance company, the driver's fines and recorded accidents. After all, insurers often charge much higher amounts for drivers who have already been involved in traffic accidents or regularly exceed the speed limit.

It should be borne in mind that a local motor citizen is definitely not suitable for those who plan to cross the borders of several countries, because the insurance will be valid only in one country.

Instead, the cost of the Green Card is fixed and such an insurance policy allows you to travel freely through all member countries of the Green Card system.

Which countries impose fines for not having a Green Card?

The policy must be taken out if you plan to travel to one of the member countries of the Green Card system, which is 50 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. In particular: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Belarus, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, France, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, and Spain, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Romania, russia, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

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What are the fines for an overdue or missing Green Card?

The amount of the fine depends on the current legislation of the host country. As a rule, this amount starts from 1000 euros. At the same time, the fine is not the only problem for drivers and car owners, because in some countries, the lack of insurance can lead to deportation, a ban on subsequent entries into the country, as well as the seizure or arrest of the vehicle. 

And if an accident occurs and the driver does not have a Green Card for the car, he or she risks spending tens of thousands of euros on car repairs and compensation for the treatment of the victims. And it should be borne in mind that in some countries, including Europe, there are no limits on compensation for damages. This means that the culprit of the accident will be obliged to support the victims for life.

Lack of a Green card: what penalties are provided for in the neighboring countries of Ukraine

Poland

Poland is one of the countries to which Ukrainians travel most often, and it is also one of the main countries for Ukrainian refugees.

In Poland, the absence of a Green Card can lead to high fines, which can reach up to 5000 zlotys (about 1200 euros). In addition, the police can detain the car until the required insurance is provided. In addition to the fine, the driver may also be forced to purchase insurance on the spot, which will add additional costs.

Romania

Romania is a strategically important transit route for Ukrainians traveling to other European countries.

In Romania, a fine of up to 1000 lei (about 200 euros) is envisaged for not having a Green Card. In addition, the police can detain the car and leave it at the impound lot until the insurance is obtained. Drivers who do not have a policy risk being detained at the border, which can cause delays in travel.

Hungary

In Hungary, you can be fined from 100,000 forints (about 260 euros) to 200,000 forints (about 520 euros) for not having a Green Card. There is also a risk of confiscation of the car until the driver takes out insurance. Hungarian border guards and road services strictly control the availability of insurance documents for foreign drivers.

Slovakia

Slovakia also borders Ukraine and is a popular route for Ukrainian drivers, especially those traveling to Austria and Germany.

In Slovakia, drivers can be fined up to EUR 300 for driving without a Green Card. It is also possible that the vehicle will be detained by customs or the police until the insurance issues are resolved.

Moldova

In Moldova, drivers without a Green Card can be fined from 300 to 600 lei (about 15-30 euros). Despite the fact that fines in Moldova are not so high, the car can still be detained until the necessary insurance is obtained, which creates significant inconvenience for drivers.

Germany

Germany is one of the main countries where Ukrainian refugees took refuge in 2024. It is also a popular destination for road trips from Ukraine.

In Germany, the fine for not having a Green Card can reach 1000 euros. In addition, the car can be confiscated until the appropriate insurance policy is provided. In some cases, drivers are forced to buy short-term insurance on the spot, which is usually much more expensive than a regular Green Card.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, a driver can be fined up to 5000 CZK (about 200 euros) for not having a Green Card. In addition, the car may be detained until the insurance is provided. The Czech Republic has one of the most developed border control systems, so not having a policy can have serious consequences.

Lithuania

Lithuania is a part of the European Union and is also on the list of countries where Ukrainians can frequently travel or stay.

In Lithuania, the fine for not having a Green Card can be up to 400 euros. The car can be detained at the border or on the road until the driver takes out a policy.

Italy

Italy is one of the most popular destinations for Ukrainian refugees in 2024, as well as a country where Ukrainians often go on vacation or work.

In Italy, the fine for not having a CTP can range from 300 to 3000 euros, depending on the circumstances. The car can be confiscated and can be returned only after full payment of the fine and insurance.

Spain

The fines for not having a Green Card in Spain can reach 3000 euros. If a driver gets into an accident or is simply stopped by the police without a policy, the car may be impounded until the insurance situation is resolved.

So, do not neglect to take out a Green Card for your car, because the consequences of such a decision can leave an imprint on the rest of your life. You can buy a Green Card insurance policy quickly and easily for the required period by following the link.

We remind you! Many drivers traveling abroad face a situation when their Green Card has expired. Read more about what to do in this case and whether it is possible to extend the validity of the insurance while abroad in our previous article.

Photo: GERT EGGENBERGER / APA / AFP

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