Green Card 2025: new border check rules and advice for drivers

In 2025, the rules for checking Green Cards at the border have been tightened somewhat. Find out what documents drivers need, what the consequences are for not having a valid policy, and how to safely buy a Green Card online

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In 2025, the rules for checking insurance documents for drivers traveling outside Ukraine have changed slightly. In this article, we explain what changes have taken place, what documents you need to have with you, what the consequences may be if you do not have a valid Green Card policy, and how to prepare for your trip to avoid problems.

What is a Green Card and why is it important?

A Green Card is an international civil liability insurance policy that confirms that the driver has car insurance that is valid abroad. It is valid in more than 40 countries, including all EU countries, Turkey, Switzerland, and others.

This document is mandatory:

● for Ukrainians traveling abroad in their own car;

● for foreigners crossing the Ukrainian border by car.

The Green Card covers damages caused to third parties in the event of an accident. This means that if an accident occurs outside Ukraine, the insurance company will cover the costs of repairing someone else's car or treating the victims. This minimizes financial risks and avoids serious debt obligations.

Read also: In which countries is the Green Card valid – full list.

Rules for checking the Green Card at the border in 2025

When crossing the border, border service employees check a number of details:

● Online check in the database. Border guards must check the policy against the MTIBU (Motor Transport Insurance Bureau of Ukraine) register. If the document is not in the system, it is considered invalid.

● Required documents. The driver must have a valid Green Card in paper or electronic form (with a QR code for quick verification), as well as a passport and vehicle documents.

● Validity requirements. The policy must cover the entire period of stay abroad. If the validity period expires earlier than the planned trip (for example, you have paid for accommodation for 1 month, but the insurance is only valid for 15 days), border guards may refuse to allow you to leave.

● Special features for travelers from the EU. Citizens of the EU or other countries entering Ukraine by car are also required to have a valid Green Card. The checks for them are identical.

In addition, you may be denied exit abroad if the policy is issued to another person or if the car does not match what is specified in the Green Card certificate.

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Consequences of not having a valid Green Card

Not having a valid policy is a serious violation with specific consequences:

● Denial of exit or entry. Border guards will not let a car without insurance pass.

● Financial costs. In the event of an accident abroad, the driver is obliged to compensate for the damage, which can amount to tens of thousands of euros.

● Fines and delays. Countries impose high fines for not having insurance, and a forged policy may be grounds for administrative proceedings.

Thus, traveling without a Green Card in 2025 is virtually impossible. The procedure for crossing the border is regulated in accordance with Article 39 of Law of Ukraine No. 1961-IV, which clearly states the obligation to have international insurance when traveling abroad by car.

Read also: What fines await Ukrainians in the EU without a Green Card in 2025?

How to properly prepare for a trip abroad?

To avoid problems, it is important to take care of insurance in advance:

1. Buy a policy in advance. The Green Card becomes valid the next day, which means that it is impossible to buy insurance “for today.”

2. Check the validity period. It must cover the entire duration of the trip.

3. Keep your confirmation. An electronic policy with a QR code can be shown on your phone, and a printed copy can also be made, but from 2025 this will not be necessary.

4. Avoid dubious intermediaries. Only official services guarantee that the policy will be entered into the MTIBU database.

Helpful tip: You can check the validity of the policy yourself on the MTIBU website by entering the car or policy number.

To avoid unnecessary risks, it is most convenient to purchase a Green Card online through verified services. On the Visit Ukraine platform, it only takes 5 minutes: you will immediately receive confirmation by email, and the data will automatically be entered into the MTIBU database.

In addition to fast processing, the service offers:

● legal advice before the trip, document verification, and legal support in case of problems at the border;

● the option to simultaneously take out travel insurance for traveling abroad to ensure that your trip is completely safe.

This is especially convenient for those who are planning to travel outside Ukraine for the first time or want to avoid bureaucracy.

We remind you! An accident can happen at the most unexpected moment, whether on the way to work or while traveling. However, people experience even more stress when they are involved in a traffic accident outside their home country. Read how to act in case of a traffic accident abroad and how to get compensation in our previous article.

Photo: Freepik

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