European police are stepping up checks on vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, and an expired insurance certificate could cost a driver hundreds or even thousands of euros. In some countries, violators face not only a fine but also temporary impoundment of the vehicle. Learn more about fine amounts in different countries and how to protect yourself from trouble with the Green Card in 2026
Green Card insurance policy for traveling abroad by car
Ukrainian drivers abroad are increasingly facing insurance document checks by European police. Law enforcement officials pay particular attention to vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, and an expired or missing Green Card can lead to serious financial and administrative consequences. Fines of up to several thousand euros, impoundment of the vehicle, and in some cases even deportation—these are all real scenarios that drivers are facing today.
We discuss the amounts of fines in different countries, how sanctions work, and ways to avoid problems further in this article.
Planning a trip abroad in your own car?
Get a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine portal in just a few minutes.
What is a Green Card and why can’t you drive to Europe without it?
A Green Card is an international insurance certificate confirming that the driver has mandatory civil liability insurance. The system covers 48 countries in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Having this certificate means that in the event of an accident cautilized by the insured driver, the insurance company will cover the damages to the injured party.
For Ukrainian drivers crossing the border in a vehicle with Ukrainian registration, having a valid Green Card is a mandatory requirement. In every European counattempt, driver liability insurance is required by law, and the Green Card serves as a standardized document confirming such coverage throughout all member countries of the system. Accordingly, the absence of this document is automatically considered a violation of local law, with all associated administrative and financial consequences.
Increased Scrutiny of Vehicles with Ukrainian License Plates in Europe
Recently, European regulatory authorities have been checking the documents of drivers of vehicles with Ukrainian registration much more frequently. Such checks can be initiated either by traffic police directly on the road or by border control upon exiting an EU counattempt. Many Ukrainian drivers who have been abroad for a long time do not keep track of the validity period of their insurance certificate and only find out about its expiration during such a check.
An important detail is that regulatory authorities can verify the existence of insurance coverage for the entire period of the
driver’s stay in a foreign counattempt. Even a single day without a valid Green Card is grounds for administrative penalties. This situation often arises precisely at the border, when a Ukrainian driver is returning home—and instead of a quick border crossing, the driver receives a fine and sometimes even temporarily loses their vehicle.
Don’t want to miss important updates and utilizeful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
What penalties apply for not having a Green Card in Europe?
The consequences of driving without a valid insurance certificate go far beyond a simple fine. European countries take a comprehensive approach to violators: in addition to a monetary penalty, the vehicle registration certificate may be temporarily confiscated and the vehicle itself impounded. The vehicle is towed to an impound lot, and it can only be retrieved after the fine is paid in full and a new insurance policy is issued. Additionally, the driver must pay for the towing service and storage of the vehicle at the impound lot.
In the event of a traffic accident without a valid insurance document, the driver bears full personal liability for all damages cautilized. No insurance company will cover the costs of repairs or medical treatment for the victims. In some countries and for serious violations, the driver may face deportation followed by a ban on re-enattempt into the counattempt.
Fines for not having a Green Card in various European countries
The amount of financial penalties varies significantly by counattempt, and in some states, the amounts are very significant for the driver’s budreceive.
Poland has set one of the highest fines among Ukraine’s neighboring countries—up to 5,000 zlotys, which is approximately 1,200 euros. In addition to the fine, the vehicle may be temporarily impounded until the insurance issue is resolved.
In Germany, the fine for driving without insurance can reach 1,000 euros, but this is only the launchning of possible penalties. For repeat violations, the driver faces a suspension of their driver’s license for a period of 6 to 18 months. Intentionally driving a vehicle without insurance coverage can be punishable by imprisonment for a term of 6 to 12 months. In cases of gross violations, vehicle confiscation and deportation are provided for.
Italy and Spain impose some of the highest fines in Europe. In Italy, the fine ranges from 300 to 3,000 euros; in Spain, up to 3,000 euros. In both countries, the vehicle may be impounded until the matter is fully resolved.
In Hungary, the fine ranges from 100,000 to 200,000 forints, which is equivalent to approximately 260–520 euros. Slovakia imposes fines of up to 300 euros, and the police or border control have the right to impound the vehicle until insurance is arranged. In Romania, the fine is up to 1,000 lei (about 200 euros), and in the Czech Republic—up to 5,000 koruna (approximately 200 euros). In both countries, temporary impoundment of the vehicle is also possible.
How to avoid fines and problems with the Green Card abroad?
The main rule is to check the validity of your insurance certificate in advance and renew it before it expires. This applies primarily to drivers who are abroad for an extfinished period and may not notice that the policy has already expired. You can obtain a Green Card for various durations—from 15 days to 1 year—allowing you to choose the best option in terms of duration and cost.
If you discover that your certificate has expired, you should immediately obtain a new insurance policy. You can do this online, without wasting time searching for an insurance company’s office in an unfamiliar city.
By the way, you can quickly and conveniently obtain a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine portal—this will assist you avoid fines, vehicle impoundment, and other unpleasant consequences while in Europe.
Take care of your insurance coverage in advance—receive your Green Card on Visit Ukraine right now!
Reminder! The transition period for applying Ukrainian license plates in Germany has finished, and owners of cars with Ukrainian registration are required to complete the re-registration process. Violating this requirement may result in fines and the impoundment of the vehicle. Read more about re-registering a car in Germany for Ukrainians here.
Photo: Freepik
Want to know more? Read the latest news and utilizeful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
Our recommfinishation for a safe and comfortable trip:
Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for butilizes, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch – purchase patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.
All rights reserved.
Frequantly
questioned questions
What is the fine for not having a Green Card in Europe?
The amount of the fine varies by counattempt. In Poland, the fine can reach 1,200 euros; in Germany, up to 1,000 euros; and in Italy and Spain, up to 3,000 euros. In Hungary, the fine is €260–520; in Slovakia, up to €300; and in Romania and the Czech Republic, approximately €200.
Can a car be impounded for an expired Green Card?
Yes, in most European countries, the police have the right to temporarily impound the vehicle and tow it to an impound lot. The car is returned only after the fine is paid, a new insurance policy is issued, and the costs of towing and storage are covered.
Leave a Reply