Car insurance and green cards in Ireland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: Third-party motor insurance is compulsory in Ireland. Cars registered in the EU and in the UK, including Northern Ireland, do not need a green card to be driven in Ireland.

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 carNo [3]
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 car⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), the national Green Card Bureau, states this on a page marked as updated in February 2020. It is not an official government page.
  • UK-registered vehicles, including those from Northern Ireland, have not needed a green card in the Republic of Ireland or the rest of the EU since 2 August 2021. Citizens Information says the same (page edited 30 March 2026).
  • No official source read says what proof of insurance a visiting EU car has to carry in Ireland.
  • The sources read describe the green card system but not what Ireland requires from cars based in other countries. Since 1 June 2023 green cards for Russian and Belarusian cars are no longer recognised as proof of insurance in the EEA (Citizens Information).

Sources

  1. Citizens Information Board: Motor insurance (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI): WHAT ARE GREEN CARDS? (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI): BREXIT AND GREEN CARDS FAQ'S (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

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