UK
Insurance
We strongly advise that you take out your own adequate vehicle and travel insurance, which includes cancellation cover. We are not liable for any loss or disappointment that you may suffer in the case that you are not adequately insured.
Medical Cover
If you have a current European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will continue to be valid in EU countries up to its expiry date. You will need to apply for the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) when your current EHIC expires. The GHIC card is free to obtain from the official GHIC website, visit www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
The EHIC and the GHIC are not equivalent to travel insurance as neither cover private medial healthcare or other costs. It is essential that you take out a valid private travel insurance policy and we strongly recommend that this cover includes protection against medical costs, cancellation or curtailment.
The latest travel information is provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo and
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Driving
Insurance It is your responsibility to ensure your car is roadworthy and properly insured for use outside of your country of residence. Your UK vehicle insurance gives you a minimum of third party cover to drive your vehicle in EU countries. Check with your insurer if your policy has extra cover for things like theft or damage to your car abroad.
Green card From 2 August 2021, a Green Card (or International Motor Insurance Card) is no longer required for travel in the European Economic Area, which includes all the European Union. You also don’t need a Green Card for Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Switzerland.
Registration documents You must carry your car log book (V5C). If the vehicle is not registered in your name, for example if it is a lease or hire car, you will need a VE103 certificate.
Driving permits Please also ensure that your driving licence is valid for the countries to which you are travelling.
If you have a paper license or your driving license was used in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you may also need an international driving permit (IDP0 to drive in some EU countires and Norway. These are available from the Post Office.
What to carry From 28 September 2021, you need a UK sticker, instead of a GB sticker for your car. 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. However, 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, a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier.
If you're in Spain, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate. You must also carry a warning triangle (2 in Spain) and a hi-viz vests.
In France, motorists must carry 2 single-use breathalysers certified by French authorities, showing an ‘NF’ (French Standard) number. Please remember to adjust your headlights with deflector strips so they dip to the right. It is not allowed to carry or use a speed camera detector in France and you will need a clean air sticker (Crit’Air) displayed on your car when travelling to certain cities.
Recommended items to carry are spare light bulbs, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit (compulsory in Austria).
All of these items can be bought from motoring shops, AA or RAC shops and at the ports.
For more info about driving abroad, please visit www.gov.uk/driving-abroad