Short Term EU Car Insurance
Temporary EU Car Insurance Quotes
Short-term cover for driving your car in Europe.
Compare insurance quotes from the UK’s leading short term european car insurance providers including:
What Is Temporary European Car Insurance?
Temporary European car insurance is short-term cover that lets you drive your UK-registered car in Europe for a set period, from 1 hour to 28 days.
Many UK annual policies reduce your cover to third-party only when you cross the Channel. Temporary car insurance for Europe gives you standalone fully comprehensive protection for your exact travel dates, without touching your main policy.
You buy it online, cover starts when you choose, and documents arrive by email before you leave.
How To Get Temporary European Car Insurance
You can compare and buy temporary European cover online in under 5 minutes, with no calls or paperwork needed.
Enter your details
Provide your name, UK address, date of birth, and full UK driving licence number.
Add your vehicle
Enter the registration number of the UK-registered car you'll be driving. You don't need to own it.
Choose dates and destinations
Select your cover start time, duration, and the European countries you'll be driving through.
Compare and buy
Review quotes from our panel, check what's included, and complete payment. Get your quote here and receive documents instantly by email.
Which Countries Are Covered?
Most temporary European policies cover all EU and EEA countries, plus Switzerland and some additional territories.
Commonly covered countries
| Region | Countries Included |
| Western Europe | France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg |
| Northern Europe | Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland |
| Central Europe | Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary |
| Southern Europe | Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus |
| Other | Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria (provider dependent) |
Countries that may be excluded
Albania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, and Turkey are excluded by most providers. Always check your policy's destination list before booking travel.
What Does Temporary European Car Insurance Cover?
Policies typically provide fully comprehensive protection, matching or exceeding the cover level on your UK annual policy.
Standard cover elements
| Cover Element | What It Means |
| Third-party liability | Covers damage you cause to other people, vehicles, and property abroad |
| Accidental damage | Repairs or replacement if you're at fault in a collision |
| Fire and theft | Protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire while abroad |
| Windscreen | Chip and crack repair or replacement (policy dependent) |
| Legal expenses | Covers legal costs if you're involved in an incident overseas |
What's not covered?
Breakdown recovery, personal belongings, mechanical failure, and driving in countries not listed on your policy are typically excluded. Hire-and-reward use (courier work, taxi services) is also not covered.
How Much Does Temporary European Car Insurance Cost?
Temporary European cover typically costs between £25 and £65 per day, depending on your destination, vehicle, and driver profile.
Pricing by duration
| Duration | Typical Cost Range |
| 1 day | £25-£65 |
| Weekend (2-3 days) | £45-£120 |
| 1 week | £80-£250 |
| 2 weeks | £130-£400 |
| 28 days | £200-£550 |
What affects the price?
Your age, driving history, vehicle insurance group, number of countries visited, and trip duration all influence your quote. Western European destinations (France, Spain, Germany) tend to cost less than Eastern European routes.
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Get short term cover from 1 hr to 28 days. Buy online in minutes.
When Would You Need Temporary European Cover?
Any time your annual UK policy doesn't provide full comprehensive cover abroad, or you want standalone protection for a specific trip.
Holiday road trips
Driving to France, Spain, or Italy for a holiday is the most common use case. Temporary cover means you keep full protection without amending your annual policy.
Collecting or delivering a vehicle
If you're buying a car abroad and driving it back, or delivering a vehicle to a European buyer, short-term cover protects the journey. For UK-based test drives, see test drive insurance.
Business trips
Driving to meetings, conferences, or client sites in Europe is covered under personal use policies, provided it's not hire-and-reward work.
Moving abroad temporarily
If you're relocating for a few weeks and taking your car, temporary European cover bridges the gap before you arrange local insurance. Students studying abroad for a term often use this option.
Do You Still Need A Green Card To Drive In Europe?
No, UK drivers no longer need a green card for most European countries.
According to GOV.UK, the requirement was removed in 2024 for travel to EU, EEA, Switzerland, and Andorra.
Your temporary European policy documents serve as proof of insurance. Carry a printed or digital copy alongside your driving licence and V5C logbook when travelling.
Some non-EU countries (Serbia, Bosnia, North Macedonia) may still require proof of insurance at the border, so check before you travel.
How Does It Differ From Annual European Cover?
Temporary cover is standalone and trip-specific, while annual European cover is an add-on to your existing policy that may limit your protection abroad.
Many annual UK car insurance policies include up to 90 days of European travel per year, but often reduce cover to third-party only. Temporary European insurance gives you full comprehensive protection for your exact dates.
If you only travel once or twice a year, temporary cover is usually cheaper than paying for an annual upgrade. For one-day Channel crossings or weekend trips, the per-day cost is often under £40.
How To Save Money On European Cover
Choose your exact travel dates, avoid unnecessary extras, and compare quotes from multiple providers to keep costs down.
Only insure the days you need
Don't buy 14 days if your trip is 10. Be precise about departure and return times.
Stick to Western Europe
France, Spain, and Germany are lower-risk destinations for insurers. Adding Eastern European countries can increase your premium.
Drive a lower insurance group car
A group 12 family hatchback costs less to insure abroad than a group 30 sports car. If you have a choice of vehicle, pick the cheaper one to cover.
Skip optional extras you don't need
Breakdown cover and legal expenses are optional add-ons. If you already have European breakdown through your breakdown provider, don't pay twice.
Compare quotes
Every insurer prices European cover differently. Compare temporary European car insurance quotes to find the best rate for your specific route.
Is It Legal To Drive In Europe Without Extra Insurance?
You must have valid motor insurance to drive in any European country, with minimum third-party cover required in every member state.
The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations and equivalent EU directives enforce this requirement at every border.
If your UK annual policy only provides third-party cover abroad, you're technically legal but under-protected. A minor at-fault collision could cost thousands in repairs to your own vehicle.
All providers on our temporary car insurance panel are FCA-regulated, so any policy you buy through us meets the legal minimum and above.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, temporary European car insurance covers your UK-registered vehicle for trips lasting 1 hour to 28 days across most EU and EEA countries.
Some UK policies include European cover, but many downgrade to third-party only abroad. Check your certificate of insurance or buy standalone temporary cover for full protection.
Most EU and EEA countries are included by default, plus Switzerland. Eastern European and non-EU destinations vary by provider, so check before you book.
No, the green card requirement was removed in 2024 for driving in EU, EEA, Switzerland, and Andorra. Carry your policy documents as proof of insurance.
Yes, as long as the vehicle is UK-registered and you have the owner's permission. You don't need to be the registered keeper.
No, temporary European cover is a separate standalone policy. Claims are handled independently of your annual UK insurance.
Most providers allow extensions if you contact them before your policy expires. You can't extend after it's lapsed.
Your UK driving licence, V5C logbook (or a copy), your insurance documents, a valid MOT, and your passport. Some countries also require a reflective jacket and warning triangle in the vehicle.
Yes, you can buy and activate a policy instantly online, even at the port or tunnel terminal, as long as you have your documents ready.
Breakdown cover is an optional extra on most temporary European policies. Without it, you'd need to arrange recovery privately or through a separate breakdown provider.
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