What do I need to know before I travel?
Always bear in mind that:
- The Green Card (International Motor Insurance Certificate) only guarantees the mandatory Motor Third Party Liability insurance cover.
- Whenever you go abroad, the insured capital is the minimum established by the legislation of the country you are visiting, even if your insurance policy guarantees a lower capital.
- The Green Card is valid for any country whose name or acronym is not crossed out.
It is possible to extend cover to other countries, as long as it has been previously requested to and accepted by your Insurer.
If you have taken out own damage cover, check that the geographical scope of this cover includes the territory where you will be driving (there may be countries where there is mandatory motor third party liability insurance cover, but not own damage cover); if this is not the case, i.e. if own damage is not covered in the country you intend to visit, but you still want to keep own damage cover, contact your insurer and ask for the territorial extension for that particular country.
Extending the territorial scope may imply the payment of an additional amount.
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- The information you can gather at the scene of an accident can be fundamental to the fair and timely settlement of your claim.
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- You should always carry an Accident Report (DAAA – Amicable Statement) form with you and keep it in your vehicle.
This is the European accident report. If the other driver has a similar form, but in another language, you can use it without fear, bearing in mind that the numbers on both forms have the same content and meaning.
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- You must write down the number of your insurance’s Roadside Assistance line.
In the event of an accident or breakdown abroad, it is extremely useful to promptly contact someone who can immediately come to your aid.
- You must write down the number of your insurance’s Roadside Assistance line.
Do I always need to carry a Green Card?
Not always… we explain:
PORTUGAL
The Green Card or International Motor Insurance Certificate (IMIC) is proof of valid and effective insurance for vehicles registered at Portugal.
In addition to the Green Card, proof of the validity of the insurance is also provided by the provisional certificate, the receipt or the motor third party liability certificate, when valid.
From 11 July 2023, Green Cards can be issued and made available in digital format, but they can also be provided on paper at the insured or the policyholder’s request, at no additional cost. The Green Card issued electronically replaces the paper insurance certificate. This possibility, along with the elimination of the obligation to put the insurance sticker on the windshield of the vehicle, was introduced by Law no. 32/2023 of July 10.
SIGNATORY COUNTRIES TO THE MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT (Section III of the Internal Regulations)
- It is not mandatory for vehicles registered in these countries to carry a Green Card, just as it is not mandatory for a Portugal registered vehicle to circulate in these countries with a Green Card.
They are:
- The 27 EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
- Plus 3 EEA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
- And 6 more countries: Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
OTHER COUNTRIES (Section II of the Internal Regulations)
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- It is mandatory for vehicles registered in these countries to carry a Green Card, just as it is mandatory for a Portugal registered vehicle to circulate in these countries with a Green Card.
They are:
- Albania, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Moldova, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Travelling to a country crossed out in my Green Card
This is the case with Russia, Belarus and Iran, which are currently crossed out in my Green Card, due to the suspension of their membership of the Council of Bureaux.
To enter one of these countries, drivers will have to purchase border insurance when entering the country.
Likewise, a Russian, Belarusian or Iranian vehicle wishing to enter one of the EEA countries will have to purchase border insurance, valid for the entire EEA.
This is the procedure to follow for any country that is crossed out in the Green Card or does not adhere to the system.
- If it is not possible to identify the vehicle that caused the accident, or if, within 2 months of its occurrence, it is not possible to identify the Insurer, submit a claim for compensation to the FGA (Motor Guarantee Fund).
- If you know the name of the Insurer of the vehicle responsible and its claims representative in Portugal, submit your claim to the latter.
- If you know the name of the Insurer of the vehicle responsible, but it has no designated claims representative in Portugal, submit your claim to the FGA (Motor Guarantee Fund).
