Brexit information

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31^st January 2020 with a Withdrawal Agreement and subsequently entered into a transitional period which ended on 31^st December 2020. The UK Government has announced that discussions with the EU to agree the terms of the future relationship between the two have been successful and a trade deal has been confirmed.

For all our Ageas Car Insurance policyholders - We want to reassure you that you’re still covered by the terms of your car insurance policy if you’re considering driving your vehicle outside of the UK from 1^st January 2021. However, there are still some matters that have yet to be decided between the EU and UK, including access to the free circulation zone, which means that UK drivers must currently carry a Green Card when travelling outside of the UK from 1^st January 2021.

We have provided some information below about Green Cards, as well as other matters which you need to know in relation to driving in the EU. We hope this will help answer most of the questions you may have. This page will be updated once further details are available.

Green Card

Currently, you will need to carry a Green Card with you when you travel outside the UK in your vehicle from 1^st January 2021.

A Green Card is an International Motor Insurance Certificate which evidences that your current insurance policy provides the necessary minimum level of cover for driving in the EU country you are travelling to or through. A Green Card is personalised with your UK vehicle registration details, and might need to be carried with you when driving in the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA). While we await further details, it is best to carry your Green Card for all journeys to the EU or EEA. In addition to the basic cover which the Green Card gives you, your insurance policy provides you with full insurance cover for up to 90 days, unless you hold an Ageas Essentials policy. Ageas Essentials policies are limited to the minimum third party cover when driving in the EU. Please check your policy documents for more information on your specific cover.

Currently, a Green Card must be a paper document and cannot be presented digitally.

Ageas Car Insurance policyholders can request a Green Card at no extra cost from us by calling 0345 165 0914. Please ensure that you have your travel dates available and give us 2-3 weeks’ notice to ensure that you receive your Green Card in the post in good time. Alternatively, if you prefer, we can email your Green Card to you, but you will have to print it off yourself.  Instructions on how to print it will be provided if you choose this option.

If you live in Northern Ireland, we will automatically provide you with a Green Card for the duration of your current policy, which will give you the minimum legal cover to drive in the Republic of Ireland as well as the other EU/EEA countries.

If you intend travelling to the EU when your policy is due for renewal, please ensure that you have insurance in place that covers you for the full duration of your trip. You will also need to ensure that you have a Green Card for each insurance policy, your current one and the one which will renew.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

If you hold a photocard driving licence, you will not need an IDP to drive in any of the 27 EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein.  However, if you do not have a photocard licence, you will need to carry an IDP with you. 

An IDP is a permit that allows you to drive in countries where a UK driving licence alone is not sufficient. Some countries have confirmed that UK licence holders will not need an IDP to drive when visiting after the 1^st January 2021, but some will require you to have one.

There are three types of IDP issued by the Post Office to UK Licence Holders resident in the UK. It may be necessary to obtain more than one IDP depending on the countries you are planning to drive in. More information about these requirements can be found on the Government’s website.

An IDP costs around £5.50. Please remember to take your UK driving licence with you when driving in the EU, as you will need this, as well as the relevant IDP. 

Log Book (V5C)

You should carry your vehicle log book (V5C) with you when driving. If the original has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you will need to get a replacement. The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will be able to assist you.

GB Stickers and Number Plates

You should display a GB sticker on the rear of your vehicle, if driving in the EU after 1^st January 2021. Even if you currently have a number plate which includes the GB and/or EU symbol identifier, we would recommend that you still place a sticker on your car. These stickers may be obtained from several outlets such as Amazon, Wilko or Halfords.

Travelling with Pets

Pets covered under Ageas Pet Insurance continue to be covered abroad after 1^st January 2021. However, if you are planning to travel with your pet to Europe, please ensure you have contacted your vet well in advance of your trip to confirm if additional vet checks and documentation are required before you leave. For the latest advice on travelling with your pet after Brexit, please visit the Government website. 

For the latest information about driving in the EU, please visit the Government’s Guidance document.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Team on 0345 165 0570 or email them at: helpweb@ageas.co.uk.  Lines are open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 8:00pm and Saturday 8:30am – 4:00pm.