Can I apply for a green card digitally?
Nowadays, the green card is available digitally from almost every insurer. Less and less insurers send the green card by mail, but make sure you can download it digitally. You get the green card automatically after taking out a car insurance policy. Your insurer or intermediary will let you know where you can download the green card. You can then print the green card yourself. In the Netherlands you are not obliged to keep the green card in the car. If you go abroad by car, in some countries it is mandatory to have it with you.
Does the green card have to be a document/pass or is it also valid digitally?
Today, the green card is less and less often a document or pass. Since July 1, 2020, the green card no longer has to be printed on green paper, but may also be printed on white paper. Thus, the green card is no longer green. It was also decided then that the green card may also be shared electronically. As a result, more and more insurers are sending the green card digitally only. You can then print the document yourself. This also does not have to be in color, but may simply be black and white. Although in the Netherlands it is not compulsory to carry your green card in the car, it is recommended. The green card contains important phone numbers that you will need in case of breakdown or damage. You can also choose to save the digital green card on your phone, for example as a PDF file or as a screenshot.
In many European countries, the original green card is no longer required, and a digital green card is also accepted. This is the case in all EU countries, as well as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Digital green card not accepted in all countries
In some European countries , however, it is mandatory to carry an original green card. Here, a digital green card is not accepted. This is for example in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Belarus. If you drive your car to or through one of these countries, you do need an original green card. In Bulgaria, an original green card is not required but is recommended.
Requesting a green card digitally: how does it work?
So most insurers no longer send the green card by mail, but send it digitally via e-mail. You can then print and save the green card yourself. It is also often possible to download the card via your personal environment on the insurer's website. You get the green card automatically after taking out your car insurance and every year for as long as the insurance is renewed.
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