Does My UK Car Insurance Cover Me In Europe?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Does my UK car cover me in Europe?

All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third party cover to drive in: the EU (including Ireland)

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Does my car insurance cover me in the EU?

When you register a car in any EU country, you must insure it for third party liability.

This compulsory insurance is valid in all other EU countries

. It covers you if you have an accident causing damage to property or injury to anyone other than the driver.

Does car insurance cover abroad?


Car insurance policies usually have a limit on the number of days they will cover you for while abroad

. For instance, your policy may cover you for a maximum of 30 consecutive days in a single trip and up to a maximum of 90 days in any one year.

Is my UK car insurance valid in Spain?

How long can you drive a UK car in Europe?

UK law still applies to a UK-registered vehicle if you take it abroad for less than

12 months

. That means you need to make sure: your vehicle is taxed in the UK while it's abroad.

Does UK car insurance cover you in France?


If you've got valid UK car insurance, you've also got the legal minimum cover in any EU country

.

Does my insurance cover me to drive in France?

Driving in France FAQs


A green card from your car insurance provider isn't needed to drive in France

. However, you will need to have at least third-party insurance cover on your car before you take it into France.

What insurance do I need in Europe?

When you travel to an EU country or Switzerland you should have either:

a UK Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC )

Is my car insurance valid if I travel against FCO advice?


FCDO (previously the FCO) advice will determine if your travel insurance policy covers you for travel, not the travel traffic light system

. If FCDO advice says it's safe to travel to your destination, you will be covered with a new policy, even if the destination is on the amber list.

Do I need different car insurance to drive in France?


You must have third party insurance cover (a legal requirement) at the least

, but it doesn't cover any costs incurred by you as a result of an accident. Make sure your policy is fully comprehensive and that you have your Certificate of Motor Insurance before setting off.

Can I drive my UK car in Spain after Brexit?

Driving a UK registered car as a tourist in Spain

And the good news is that, if you are coming on holiday,

you can drive in Spain using a driving licence that has been issued in the UK for visits of up to 3 months, without needing an international driving permit

.

Can I drive my UK registered car in Spain?


You are legally permitted to drive your UK registered vehicle in Spain

. You just need to make sure you are familiar with the legislation and documentation requirements so that you don't become another Brit who has had their vehicle impounded and been hit with a massive fine!

Can I drive in Spain with a UK license after Brexit?

Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles)


You can continue to use your licence until 30 April 2022

. You may need to take a test if you want to exchange your licence. If you hold a licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need to take a test to drive in Spain.

Is UK driving licence still valid in Europe?

Will my driving licence be valid?

Yes, most UK drivers are still able to use their normal driving licence to drive in EU countries

. There are some exceptions and what is called an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be needed. An IDP can be bought at Post Offices for £5.50.

Do I need a UK sticker to drive in Europe?


Brits driving to the EU will now need a new sticker to point out that they're in a UK car

. The new rule change by the UK government came into force on 28 September. Drivers of UK cars must now have a clear sticker that says ‘UK' on it.

Can I drive in Europe after Brexit?


From 2nd August 2021, motorists will no longer require an insurance green card to drive their vehicles in the EU

(including Ireland). The same applies in Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland.

Why do I need a green card to drive in Europe?

No. Although a Green Card was initially needed after the UK left the EU on 1 January 2021, from 2 August 2021,

drivers going to Europe have been spared the additional paperwork

. A Green Card is an international certificate of insurance – a physical document that drivers sometimes need to take with them when travelling.

How long can you drive a UK registered car in France?

What do UK drivers need to drive in France?

Do I need travel insurance for Europe after Brexit?

As long as you have your EHIC/GHIC, you'll still be able to access free or subsidised healthcare for countries in the EU after Brexit.

The UK government still recommends you take out a travel insurance policy when going abroad to Europe

, as you would anywhere else in the world.

Who will insure against FCO advice?


High Risk Voyager

: Travellers aged up to 69, cover for some existing medical conditions. Travel insurance for travelling against FCDO advice is arranged and administered by Voyager Insurance Services Ltd. High Risk Voyager is arranged and administered by Voyager Insurance Services Ltd.

What travel insurance covers against FCO?


High risk travel insurance

includes cover for areas where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, or similar government body is advising against travel. You should note that most standard travel insurance policies exclude cover if you are travelling against Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice.

Which travel insurance covers FCO advice?

Do I need a UK sticker to drive in France?

From 28 September 2021, you must identify that your vehicle is from the UK when driving abroad.

If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), you do not need a UK sticker to drive in France

.

Where do you put a UK car sticker in France?

READ ALSO Travel to France: What has changed since Brexit

The UK government specifies: “You will need to display a UK sticker clearly

on the rear of your vehicle

if your number plate has any of the following: a GB identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack) a Euro symbol.

How much does it cost to register a UK car in Spain after Brexit?

Customs. A potentially huge extra cost to register a UK car in Spain after Brexit is

customs duty of 10% and 21% IVA

. The taxes are based on either the value published in the Government official list of vehicle values, the purchase price or assessed market value, depending on the age of the car and when you acquired it …

How much does it cost to put a UK car on Spanish plates?

Can I get a British MOT in Spain?

The simple answer is

NO, you cannot ITV/MOT a British registered car in Spain

. So if your vehicle was registered in the UK, you would have to have an MOT undertaken in the UK.

How long can you keep a British car in Spain?

Do I have to register my car in Spain?

Can I have 2 drivers licenses from different countries?

A: Answer to your first question is no.

You can only have one driver's license

. So let's say you spend your winters in California and summers in South Dakota. In most instances you need to select where you want to be or are a resident of.

What documents do I need to drive in Europe?

Do I need a Breathalyzer to drive in France 2022?

You may be aware that up until recently, all drivers and motorcyclists had to carry a personal breathalyser kit with at least two disposable testing units. However,

in 2020 the rule changed to no longer make it a legal requirement

.

Is my car insurance valid in Spain?

As a general rule,

vehicles insured in any European country are covered when driving in Spain

. Sometimes, the insurance provider will be able to offer you specific rates for special coverage for driving in another country.

Does car insurance cover international rentals?


Most U.S. auto insurers won't cover you while you're driving abroad, with the possible exceptions of Canada and Mexico

. So unless you have a credit card that offers rental car insurance, you'll probably need to purchase your insurance from the rental company itself.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.