Visitor Protection System

When the road accident occurs outside the country of residence of the injured party

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What is the Protection of Visitors System?

Alongside the Green Card System, there is the Protection of Visitors System, a mechanism created within the European Union, through the Motor Insurance Directives, to protect the victims of road accidents occurring abroad (outside the victim’s country of residence), but limited to the countries of the European Economic Area, which covers the 27 Eurpean Union countries and also Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

While the Green Card System was designed to protect injured parties of accidents caused by foreign vehicles in their country of residence, the Protection of Visitors System aims to protect the victim of a road accident caused by local vehicles in a member state other than their country of residence.

The main advantage it offers is the possibility for the visitor (victim or injured party) to report the claim and claim compensation for the damage suffered in their own country and in their own language, and to do so by contacting the Claims Representatives.

All insurers operating in the motor third-party liability sector must appoint Claims Representatives in all Member States, to whom the injured parties of accidents abroad can turn to claim compensation when they return to their country of residence.

Claims Representatives have the power to represent the Insurer, pay compensation and examine the case in the language of the Member State where the injured party resides.

You can search here for the Claims Representatives of foreign insurers (FGA/ASF).

Members of the Visitor Protection System

In Portugal, this system is regulated by Decree-Law no. 291/2007, of August 21, under Title III – Protection in the event of an accident abroad (art. 65 and following).

The players in the Protection of Visitors System operate under the authority of the Motor Guarantee Fund (FGA – ASF Website), which is managed by the Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF). They are:

  • Motor Guarantee Fund
  • Compensation Body
  • Information Centre
  • Insolvency Body

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a question?

We can help.

    My policy has the minimum cover mandatory in Portugal. However, I had an accident abroad where personal injury liability is unlimited. Should I be worried?
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    No. Whenever you travel abroad, your liability is, at least, the mandatory minimum liability established in the legislation of the country you are visiting, even if your policy covers a lower amount. If the driver of a motor vehicle covered by a Portuguese insurance policy, with mandatory minimum cover, causes bodily injuries in France (where liability is unlimited) of a value exceeding your liability, your Insurer will cover such damages (or, if everything else fails, GPCV will cover them, as the ultimate guarantor).
    What is the mandatory minimum coverage in different countries?
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    Find out what the mandatory minimum motor third party liability insurance coverage is in different countries here
    The foreign third party fled the scene of the accident, and I only had time to note down the licence plate number. How can I find out the name of the Insurer?
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    Contact the Portuguese Information Centre here. If the foreign is registered in a country which is not a signatory to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, contact the GPCV.
    Do I have to put the insurance sticker on the windshield of my car?
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    As of 11 July 2023, it is not mandatory to put the sticker of the motor vehicle insurance on the windshield of your vehicle.
    What is the difference between a correspondent and a claims representative?
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    Although their roles are similar, correspondents work within the Green Card System while claims representatives work within the Protection of Visitors System. While it is not mandatory to appoint correspondents (it is optional for insurers), it is mandatory to designate a claims representative. Their scope is also different. The Green Card System covers insurers in 50 countries and the Protection of Visitors System covers insurers in only 30 countries (member countries of the European Economic Area).
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