The International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card)

Mother and child in the car

International Motor Insurance Card

Make sure you have the International Motor Insurance Card - also known as the Green Card - with you when driving abroad in your car. This is because the Green Card confirms that your vehicle has liability insurance and is therefore properly insured.

Order a Green Card

Insurance certificate for your car

Are you planning to go abroad in your car? Then don't forget to take the International Motor Insurance Card (Green Card) with you. The Green Card confirms that your car is properly insured. It also makes the paperwork easier for you in the event of an accident. The International Motor Insurance Card makes it easier for you to exchange insurance data. And it makes it easier for you to settle the claim with the foreign authorities. The Green Card system is valid in over 40 countries. These include most countries in Europe and Turkey.

Request an International Motor Insurance Card

If you have taken out car insurance with Zurich, you can order the Green Card free of charge. To do so, fill out the order form. We will then send you the International Motor Insurance Card by mail.

Green Card: recommended or compulsory?

In many European countries, the so-called "license plate agreement" applies. This means that in these countries the registration number is sufficient to prove that the vehicle is properly insured. However, there are also countries which may only be entered with a valid International Motor Insurance Card. These include: 

  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Morocco
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey

In some countries, an International Motor Insurance Card is required in the event of a claim, despite the license plate agreement. We therefore recommend that you always carry your Green Card with you when driving abroad. This way you will always be on the safe side and have all the necessary information at hand when needed.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the International Motor Insurance Card valid for?

The valid-until date of the International Motor Insurance Card is printed on the card itself. In principle, the Green Card is valid for as long as your car insurance policy. Make sure that your Green Card is still valid before each trip abroad. If the card has expired, you can order a new one free of charge.

What happens if I forget to take the International Motor Insurance Card with me?

If do not have your Green Card with you or your license plate is not recognized, you can take out frontier insurance at customs, depending on the country. However, some countries are even stricter. In the worst case, you may not be allowed to move your car until confirmation has been received. Therefore, find out exactly what the entry requirements are before traveling. Zurich does not cover the costs of frontier insurance.