The European Commission has dropped a requirement for UK motorists driving abroad to carry a car insurance Green Card.
The obligation has been waived and is expected to come into effect within weeks.
A Green Card is an internationally recognised certificate of insurance. It proves a visiting motorist has at least the minimum compulsory third-party liability car insurance.
Green cards are issued by car insurance companies and typically last for 90 days.
The EU required all UK motorists travelling to another EU country – including the Republic of Ireland – to apply for a Green Card.
Experts are keen to remind motorists the requirement has not yet been lifted, however, so motorists planning to travel into Europe this month will still need to apply for a Green Card before doing so.
This includes the Republic of Ireland and all other EU countries, plus the following non-EU countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia and Andorra.
A pragmatic approach
The Association of British Insurers has praised the ‘pragmatic’ approach by the European Commission.
“UK drivers will no longer need to apply for a Green Card through their insurer which will help reduce bureaucracy for drivers and road hauliers travelling between the UK and EU,” said director general, Huw Evans.
“It will be especially welcomed by motorists in Northern Ireland driving across the border.”
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland has also praised the decision after lobbying to remove the requirement.
There are 43 million cross-border trips on the island of Ireland each year and chief executive David Fitzgerald says the situation wasn’t sustainable: “There are approximately 25,000 who live on one side of the border and who regularly commute to the other jurisdiction.”
Admiral car insurance’s Clare Egan said that “although the decision is yet to take effect, it’s a welcome change that will hopefully be rubber stamped by the European Union soon, so that things are a little less complicated for Brits who are still hoping for a getaway this year, but who would prefer to drive to Europe instead of flying there”.
In a normal year, it’s estimated there are around 13 million visits to the EU each year from UK motorists, either via sea ports or the Channel Tunnel.
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