Car insurance and green cards in Spain (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Spanish customs may check and require insurance for cars from non-EEA states outside the green card agreement. Cars based in other EEA states may face non-systematic insurance checks.

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 carSpanish customs may check that a car from a non-EEA state outside the green card agreement is insured, require insurance meeting at least the Spanish legal conditions, or refuse entry. [1]

Notes

  • Non-systematic, non-discriminatory insurance checks are allowed on cars based in other EEA states (article 2, paragraph 4).
  • 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 Spanish text read refers to states in the green card agreement without naming the UK.
  • Not confirmed from an official source: no text read states what a driver of an EU-registered car must carry.

Sources

  1. Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE): Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004, de 29 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el texto refundido de la Ley sobre responsabilidad civil y seguro en la circulación de vehículos a motor (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. 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.