This guide concerns travel in a vehicle with Bulgarian registration and valid compulsory third-party insurance.
Checked on
Where is a Green Card required?
EU and Multilateral Agreement countries
The certificate is not compulsory for crossing borders between these countries: the registration plate is accepted as evidence of insurance under the agreement. Valid third-party insurance is still required.
European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Finland, France, Croatia, Czechia, Sweden.
Other countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Kingdom, Serbia, Montenegro, Switzerland.
Source: COB - Multilateral Agreement.
Countries requiring a certificate
Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.
A Green Card certifies motor insurance cover. The Bulgarian insurer issues it with the policy at no additional charge.
Source: Bulgarian National Bureau - travelling abroad; current bureau status was cross-checked with COB.
Kosovo, Russia, Belarus and Iran
- Kosovo: a Bulgarian vehicle needs local frontier insurance; the territory is outside the Green Card system.
- Russia and Belarus: Bulgarian certificates do not provide cover in these territories. Frontier insurance applies.
- Iran: Green Cards are not accepted for this territory; frontier insurance is required.
Sources: Bulgarian National Bureau - Kosovo · COB - Russia and Belarus · COB - Iran.
What does third-party insurance cover?
It covers liability for damage to other people’s property, injury or death. It does not pay for repairs to the responsible driver’s own vehicle.
Bulgarian compulsory insurance is valid in the other EU countries. Comprehensive insurance and roadside assistance have their own contractual terms.
An accident abroad is subject to the rules and compulsory cover of the country where it happens. A Green Card proves the necessary insurance exists; it is not comprehensive cover.
Sources: Your Europe - motor insurance validity · Bulgarian National Bureau - cover abroad.
Paper certificate or PDF?
The Green Card system also accepts an officially issued PDF displayed on a phone or another device where the issuing country has introduced that format. Paper certificates remain valid.
The PDF must be issued by the insurer; a photo of a paper document is not a substitute.