Driving Abroad by Car: Checklist and the Green Card

Driving your own car outside Moldova? You need a Green Card certificate — compulsory cross-border MTPL insurance — plus your vehicle documents and the equipment required by the countries you pass through. Below: what the Green Card covers, the full checklist of documents and equipment, what to do if you have an accident abroad, and what to check before you leave.

What the Green Card is and why you need it

The Green Card is compulsory cross-border liability insurance: it covers damage caused to third parties in a road accident that happens outside Moldova, in the member states of the International Green Card Insurance System. Standard MTPL is valid only in the Republic of Moldova — for any trip abroad with your own vehicle, the Green Card certificate is what gives you legal cover.

The system is coordinated internationally by the Council of Bureaux, and in Moldova by the National Bureau of Motor Insurers (BNAA), a member of that council. That's why a certificate issued by a Moldovan insurer is recognised by border police and insurers abroad without extra checks. The policy is valid only in the countries whose codes are not crossed out on the certificate — check the list before every trip, especially if your route crosses several states.

When buying online, you choose the coverage zone available in the offer — Europe (all countries) or Ukraine — and the period, from 15 days to 12 months. Enter your vehicle's details and receive the certificate by email, ready to print.

Checklist: mandatory documents

• A Green Card certificate valid for the whole trip — including the return days.
• Vehicle documents: the registration certificate.
• Driving licence and identity document (ID card or passport, depending on the destination country).

Remember: Keep the originals within reach — border staff and roadside checks may ask for them at any time.

Mandatory equipment: check every country on your route

Generic lists of "what to carry in your car in Europe" circulate online, but in practice the rules differ noticeably from country to country. A few examples:

- In Romania, a first-aid kit, two approved warning triangles and a fire extinguisher are compulsory — a hi-vis vest is not required for passenger cars (only for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes).

- In Czechia, a hi-vis vest is compulsory (kept in the cabin, not the boot) along with a first-aid kit; a fire extinguisher is required only for vehicles with 8 or more seats.

- In Bulgaria, the full set is required: first-aid kit, warning triangle, hi-vis vest and fire extinguisher, plus an electronic vignette for driving on motorways.

- In Austria, a first-aid kit and warning triangle are compulsory, a vest is required only for the driver, and no fire extinguisher is required — but winter tyres are separately mandatory in winter.

So instead of one list "for every case", it's more practical to travel with a set that won't be out of place in any country, and check the details before entering each state:

- a first-aid kit (check the expiry date of its contents);

- at least one approved warning triangle (some countries require two);

- a hi-vis vest at least for the driver — keep it in the cabin, not the boot, so you can put it on before stepping out of the car;

- a fire extinguisher within its expiry date, if you're driving to a country where it's compulsory;

- a tyre repair kit or spare wheel — check what's provided for your car model.

Attention: The easiest way to check the exact requirements for your destination is the country's automobile club website or the border police before departure — it takes a few minutes and saves you the risk of an on-the-spot fine.

What the Green Card does NOT cover

• damage to your own vehicle;
• injury suffered by the driver at fault;
• property belonging to you as the insured;
• accidents caused intentionally or by breaching local law.

In other words, the Green Card, like MTPL, protects not you but the people you might harm. If you also want to protect your own car on a trip abroad, consider CASCO with territorial extension — confirm with the insurer whether your package is valid outside Moldova.

What to do if you have an accident abroad

If you're involved in a road accident abroad, contact the national Green Card system bureau in that country or its designated correspondent/agent — the claim assessment and payout follow the legislation of the country where the accident happened and the rules of the Council of Bureaux. BNAA's contacts in Moldova are available in the contacts section.

Important: Write down the assistance phone numbers and the steps to follow before you leave — in a stressful situation on the spot, you won't have time to search for instructions.

Practical tips before you leave

• Check your Green Card policy's validity in advance, not on the day you leave — buying it online takes a few minutes.
• Learn the local traffic rules of your destination country: speed limits, lighting requirements and toll zones can differ from Moldova's.
• Keep the mandatory equipment within reach, not buried under luggage in the boot.
• Write down assistance phone numbers and the accident procedure.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I drive abroad with Moldovan MTPL only, without a Green Card?

No. MTPL is valid only inside the Republic of Moldova. Any trip abroad with your own car requires a separate certificate — the Green Card.

2. How long can I buy a Green Card for?

From 15 days to 12 months, depending on how long your trip is — you choose the period when you buy it.

3. Is the Green Card valid in every European country?

Only in the member states of the system whose codes are not crossed out on your certificate — check the list on the form before every trip.

4. What if the other driver is at fault in an accident abroad?

Contact the local national bureau of the Green Card system or its designated correspondent — the procedure is similar to a domestic accident, but with the international bureau involved.

Get ready before you go

A roadworthy car, a valid Green Card and knowledge of local requirements — three things that make for a calm trip abroad. Sort them out in advance, not at the last moment before the border.

Buy a Green Card online or request a consultation — the General Asigurări team can help you prepare your documents before the trip.