Car insurance and green cards in France (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Using a vehicle in France requires liability insurance. Cars based in an EU state are outside the border-insurance rules, while other cars need a green card or border insurance.

RuleWhat applies
Third-party insurance compulsoryVisiting with a foreign-registered carYes [1]
Green card needed for cars from other EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered carNo [2]
Green card needed for cars from the UKVisiting with a foreign-registered car⚠ Not yet verified
Proof of insurance for cars from EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered car⚠ Not yet verified
Cars from other non-EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered carA car not based in France or in a state covered by article L211-4 needs a valid green card, another listed proof of insurance, or border insurance (valid for 30 or 90 days). [3]

Notes

  • Article R*211-27 states that the border-insurance rules (articles R211-23 to R211-26) do not apply to vehicles normally based in another state covered by article L211-4, which includes EU states.
  • Not confirmed from an official source: article L211-4 covers third states whose bureaux are guaranteed by all EU member states, but the list was not read.
  • Not confirmed from an official source: no text read states what a driver of an EU-registered car must carry.

Sources

  1. Légifrance (Gouvernement): Article L211-1 - Code des assurances (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Légifrance (Gouvernement): Article R*211-27 - Code des assurances (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Légifrance (Gouvernement): Article R*211-23 - Code des assurances (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.