What do I need to drive in Europe?

Can I drive in Europe with a UK licence?

Yes, a UK driving licence, that has been issued in the UK, enables you to drive across much of Europe as well as the European Union (EU).

Keep in mind that different rules may apply if you plan to tow a trailer or caravan, which may require registration or additional paperwork.

Do I need an international driving permit (IDP)?

It’s unlikely. Despite rumblings that drivers of a post-Brexit UK could need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to take their cars into the EU, at the time of writing this is not the case.

As explained above, UK driving licences will suffice when driving in the EU as well as other countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

However, an IDP may be required in some EU countries or Norway if you have a paper driving licence, or if the licence was issued in either Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. It’s therefore worth checking the Government’s website or with the embassy of the country you’re travelling to for more information beforehand. It’s also worth noting that those who still have a paper licence will need to update to a photo licence in order to get an IDP.

To make matters more confusing, there are three different types of IDP to look out for, including:

• 1926
• 1949
• 1968

Which one you need will depend on the country you’re visiting, meaning you may even need more than one type of IDP if you’re travelling across multiple borders. See the Government’s website for a full list of what IDP is required for which country.

If you do require an IDP, they currently cost £5.50, however, you can no longer buy them at Post Offices. Instead, these documents are now available from certain shops that have a PayPoint.

Do I need a green card to drive in Europe?

A green card is an international certificate that provides proof of the minimum compulsory insurance for drivers visiting other countries. At the time of writing, there are 47 countries across the EU, Asia and North Africa that participate in the Green Card System.

Most UK car insurers provide basic Third Party Only (TPO) cover when driving in the EU for a limited time – usually for a minimum of 30 days per year but it can be longer in some cases.

This means if you’re involved in a car collision and are at fault, TPO covers damage for the other person’s vehicle and injury compensation costs but won’t cover the expenses for your own car or injuries.

Nevertheless, while you’ll still need valid UK car insurance, you won’t need a green card for the following:

• The EU (including Ireland)
• Andorra
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Serbia
• Switzerland

Note, you may still need to carry a green card in:

• Albania
• Azerbaijan
• Moldova
• Türkiye
• Ukraine

Again, it’s always best to check what insurance you’ll need before travelling to any of these countries just to be on the safe side, as you may need to present the green card if you’re involved in an accident, when crossing borders or if stopped by the police.

You can get a green card directly from your insurer, either within six weeks through the post, or they’ll explain how to download a printable version. Keep in mind if you’ll need an extra green card if you have a trailer or a caravan, two insurance policies, or have multi-car/fleet insurance.

Do I need to tell my insurer if I drive abroad?

It’s always worth letting your insurer know when planning to drive abroad, as some may only provide TPO cover if notified beforehand.

It’s also important to check the exact level of cover your policy will provide while you’re away, to give you time to amend your insurance where necessary.

Do I need a UK sticker for driving in Europe?

This depends. With the exception of Ireland, you must display a form of UK identification on your car when driving in the EU, which can include the white oval UK sticker that needs to be applied to the rear of your vehicle.

However, if your car’s number plate includes a UK identifier with the Union Flag, you won’t need a UK sticker as well, though there are notable exceptions. This includes if you’re travelling to either Spain, Cyprus or Malta, where you’ll need a UK sticker regardless of what’s on your number plate.

It also important to note that as of 2021, all GB identifiers, stickers or on number plates, are no longer valid and have been replaced with UK identifiers. This means if your plate has a GB identifier (including national flags of England, Wales or Scotland) or a European Union flag, you’ll need to either cover it with UK over-labels or use the white oval sticker.

What documents do I need to drive in Europe?

Aside from the aforementioned IDP or UK identifiers (if required), you’ll also need the following documents to drive in the EU:

• Driving licence
• Logbook (V5C certificate) – This must be the original document and not a copy.
• Passport
• Certificate of Motor Insurance – You’ll also need this alongside a green card if applicable.
• Travel Insurance documents

Besides making sure your car tax and MOT are up to date, it’s also worth having your breakdown cover documents with you, as well as emergency contact information.

European breakdown cover

Unfortunately, the majority of breakdown cover policies do not cover driving abroad as standard, leaving you with a few different options when taking your car into the EU.

European breakdown cover can be purchased to encompass a single trip, or as an annual policy that could be useful if you plan to make frequent trips throughout the year.

These policies tend to cover roadside assistance, money towards vehicle repair, or even vehicle recovery back to the UK in some cases. Depending on which cover you opt for, you may even receive a courtesy car, allowing you to continue your trip, or replacement train/ferry tickets to help get you home.

While not a legal requirement, this cover could help you avoid being stranded at the side of the road in the worst case scenario, but it’s worth comparing policies (and their terms) carefully to ensure you’re only paying for what you need. It’s also important to check that the country you’re travelling to is covered by your chosen policy, as European breakdown cover cannot be purchased if you’re already abroad.

Emissions stickers

In order to help reduce air pollution, certain countries in Europe have implemented regulations to restrict certain vehicles from driving through particular areas (usually cities) at certain times of the day. As a result, you may need to order an emissions sticker for your car before you travel.

For example, as of 2025, French cities with a population of 150,000 or more require cars to display a physical Crit’Air sticker on their windscreen; these can be purchased online from the French Government website.

Germany similarly requires an environmental sticker to drive in certain towns and cities, known as an Umweltplakette.

Meanwhile, other countries require you to register (often beforehand) or pay tolls to drive through their emission zones, including:

• Belgium
• Denmark
• Italy
• Norway
• Spain
• Sweden
• The Netherlands

And so, to avoid incurring hefty fines, it’s vital to thoroughly check the emission regulations for the countries you plan to visit in good time before travelling.