What the Green Card is

The Green Card is an international system of motor third-party liability insurance. The certificate confirms that the driver's liability is insured in the member countries and works like local compulsory insurance: if you cause an accident abroad, the insurer compensates the injured parties under the laws of the country where it happened.

A Russian OSAGO policy (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance) is valid only in Russia. To drive your car in other countries you need liability insurance recognised by the country you enter. In many countries entry without it is impossible or punishable by a fine.

The situation for Russian drivers in 2026

The Russian Union of Motor Insurers (RSA) acts as the Russian Green Card bureau. According to the RSA, the system is effectively not working for Russian drivers:

  • from 1 June 2023 the agreements on mutual recognition of Green Cards with the bureaux of EU countries, the United Kingdom and Switzerland ended — Russian certificates are not valid there;
  • on 8 June 2023 the General Assembly of the Council of Bureaux suspended the RSA's membership indefinitely from 30 June 2023; the same decision was taken for the Belarusian bureau;
  • Russian insurers no longer issue Green Card certificates for travel to member countries;
  • under bilateral arrangements with Azerbaijan and Turkey, Russian cards whose term began before 1 July 2023 remained valid until they expired; no such policies remain today.

The Blue Card: trips to Belarus

Instead of the Green Card, the RSA is developing the Blue Card — cross-border liability insurance based on bilateral agreements. The first agreement is with the Belarusian Bureau of Transport Insurance. Since 1 July 2024 Russian drivers travelling to Belarus use Blue Card certificates, and Belarusian certificates are valid in Russia on a par with OSAGO. Several Russian insurers sell the certificates; check the list and availability of forms in advance. The RSA announces new agreements separately — for now the only confirmed destination is Belarus.

How to drive to other countries

If a country does not recognise Russian policies, the driver buys local compulsory liability insurance — usually at the border crossing or in advance from an insurer of that country. The procedure, price and minimum term are set by the law of the destination country, so before the trip check:

  • whether insurance is required for foreign cars and where to buy it;
  • the minimum term for which the policy is sold;
  • which documents are needed at the border: vehicle registration certificate, driving licence, a power of attorney if the car is not yours;
  • whether you can transit through third countries and which policies are needed there.

Liability insurance protects only the injured parties. For your own medical care abroad you need travel insurance, and for repairs to your car — KASKO with extended territory, if your insurer offers it.

Laws and regulation

The Russian Green Card bureau and the Blue Card system operate through the RSA. Inside Russia, Federal Law No. 40-FZ on OSAGO applies; abroad, the laws of the country where the car is used. Insurers selling Blue Card certificates must hold a Bank of Russia licence and be RSA members.

What drives the price

The price of a Blue Card certificate and of local policies depends mainly on the term of cover and the type of vehicle: car, truck, bus, trailer. Rates are set by the terms of the insurance system or the law of the destination country, and OSAGO factors — KBM, territory, engine power — do not apply to these policies. Before buying, ask the insurer about the terms available and the price for your dates.

What to do after an accident abroad

  1. Stop, make the scene safe and call the police — in most countries this is mandatory for an accident involving a foreign car.
  2. Complete the report or accident notice and exchange policy details with the other party.
  3. Photograph the scene, the damage and the documents.
  4. Notify the insurer using the contacts in the policy.
  5. If you are the injured party, the claim is made against the at-fault driver's insurer under the laws of the country of the accident.

General guidance on claims is in the Insurance claim section.

Where to get insurance for the trip

Blue Card certificates for trips to Belarus are issued at the offices and by agents of Russian insurers taking part in the system; check the availability of forms in advance. Insurer profiles are in the directory of insurers. Local policies for other countries are bought from insurers of the destination country — at the border crossing or through their online services. Polis Re does not issue these policies; this page is for reference, and you should check current rules with the RSA and the destination country before travelling.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a "Green Card" from intermediaries. Russian insurers do not issue such certificates; offers from unknown sellers to "arrange a Green Card for Europe" are a red flag.
  • Relying on Russian OSAGO. It is not valid outside Russia.
  • Too short a policy term. If the trip runs longer, extend the insurance before it expires.
  • No medical insurance. A liability policy does not pay for treatment of the driver and passengers.