OC / AC & the border

Green Card insurance to Ukraine in 2026: when you need it, cost, how to get it

If you drive into Ukraine — or enter Poland in a car on Ukrainian plates — your Polish or Ukrainian motor OC alone is not enough at the border. You need a Green Card: an international certificate confirming the vehicle has valid motor OC in its country of registration. Ukraine is not part of the EU Multilateral Agreement, so in 2026 the document is mandatory at that border. Below: when you need it, what it costs (usually nothing), how to get it, and what to do if you don’t have one.

When you need a Green Card, and when OC is enough

The rule is simple: in the European Union and EFTA countries (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein) Polish OC works automatically thanks to the Multilateral Agreement — no Green Card needed. Outside that zone, in countries that are not part of the agreement, the document is required.

In 2026 a Green Card is mandatory to enter 8 states: Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, North Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine. Mind transit: even if your destination doesn’t require the card, check the whole route — a country you merely pass through may require it.

Separately: since 1 June 2023 the Polish Green Card does not work in Russia or Belarus — those countries were removed from the system.

How much a Green Card costs in 2026

For most drivers the cost is €0. The Green Card is usually issued free of charge as an extension to your existing OC policy — you simply request it from your insurer. Some insurers issue it instantly online; others charge a token fee or require the OC policy to cover the whole planned period the car is abroad. Always confirm the terms with your own insurer.

How to get a Green Card — step by step

• Contact your OC insurer — only the company where you hold OC can issue the card (you can’t buy it “elsewhere”).
• Request it online or by phone — ideally in advance, as issuance isn’t always instant.
• Check the validity dates — the OC policy must be valid for the whole trip; the Green Card covers a period from 15 days to 12 months.
• Print the document on a white A4 sheet and carry it — a digital copy on your phone is not accepted at the border.

Practical tip: order the card 2–3 weeks before departure. If you plan to drive right after buying a car, arrange OC and the Green Card before you set off.

Driving someone else’s car? You need authorisation

If you cross the border in a car that isn’t yours (e.g. a family member’s) or on lease, you need written authorisation from the owner or the leasing company named in the registration document. Without it you may run into trouble at a check, even with a valid Green Card.

The other direction: entering Poland on Ukrainian plates

A mirror situation. Ukrainian OC does not work in Poland on its own — legal driving is confirmed only by a Green Card issued in Ukraine by a Ukrainian insurer. If you don’t have one, you need border insurance immediately after crossing.

As support for Ukrainian citizens, four insurers — PZU, Warta, Allianz and Ergo Hestia — offer free 30-day border insurance. You can get it at border crossings, from agents, or via a hotline (also served in Ukrainian). Standard border insurance is written for 30 to 365 days. Having neither a Green Card nor border insurance means a penalty from the Insurance Guarantee Fund (UFG) and liability for damage out of your own pocket.

If the car is to stay in Poland longer, after 30 days you usually need to register it in Poland and buy standard OC — otherwise AC is unavailable. More in our posts on OC/AC for Ukrainian plates and how long you can drive on Ukrainian plates.

Before you buy a car to drive to Ukraine

The Green Card and customs clearance are predictable costs. What’s unpredictable is the car’s value itself — it’s easy to overpay for a vehicle with a hidden history. Before you commit to a specific listing, check its real value and risks. And if you’re taking the car onward to Ukraine, also compute the clearance in the calculator.

This material is informational and is not insurance advice. The list of countries, Green Card issuance terms and the free border-insurance offer may change — confirm the current position with your insurer before departure.

Need to finance the car purchase? Compare loans and accounts: Finumero →

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is a Green Card mandatory to drive into Ukraine in 2026? Yes. Ukraine is not part of the EU Multilateral Agreement, so to drive into Ukraine a Green Card is mandatory. In 2026 eight states require it, including Ukraine.

How much does a Green Card cost in 2026? For most drivers €0. It is usually issued free as an extension to your existing OC policy by the insurer where you hold OC. Some firms may charge a token fee.

How long is a Green Card valid? From 15 days to 12 months. The OC policy must be valid for the whole trip — if it expires earlier, you must extend it before departure.

Does the Green Card have to be printed? Yes. You must carry a paper certificate printed on a white A4 sheet. A digital copy on your phone alone is not accepted at the border.

What if I enter Poland on Ukrainian plates without a Green Card? You must buy border insurance right after the border. PZU, Warta, Allianz and Ergo Hestia offer free 30-day border insurance. Having no insurance at all risks a penalty from the UFG.