Car insurance and green cards in the Netherlands (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: The Dutch act applies the duty to insure to vehicles normally based in the Netherlands and exempts vehicles based in listed states where a recognised bureau guarantees compensation. What visiting drivers must carry is not yet verified.

RuleWhat applies
Third-party insurance compulsoryVisiting with a foreign-registered car⚠ Not yet verified
Green card needed for cars from other EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered carNo [1]
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 car⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The Wet aansprakelijkheidsverzekering motorrijtuigen (article 2(6) and (8)) leaves vehicles normally based in the states listed in a decree outside the Dutch duty to insure when a recognised bureau guarantees compensation. What a visiting driver must insure or carry could not be confirmed from the text read.
  • Directive 2009/103/EC requires a green card only for vehicles based in third countries (article 8(1)). Member states refrain from systematic insurance checks on vehicles from other member states (article 4).
  • Not confirmed from an official source: the Dutch act refers to a decree listing states, and the current arrangement for UK-based cars was not read in full.

Sources

  1. EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union): Directive 2009/103/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, and the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability (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.