International driving permits – Europe
International driving permits
For many countries in Europe you will require an international driving permit to drive within the country. There are three types of permit: 1926, 1949 & 1968. For UK citizens, international driving permits can be bought from the post office. The table below shows which European countries require a permit – as you’ll see, only a 1968 type permit is required. The 1968 permit lasts for 3 years or until your UK driving licence expires, whichever comes first.
Green cards
The table below also shows which European countries require a green card. A green card is proof that you have vehicle insurance when driving abroad. Contact your insurer to get one for your vehicle.
You should check which countries your current insurer covers you for, as they can vary quite considerably. Although a green card may not be required, you may still need to purchase separate insurance if you aren’t currently covered – this can often be done at the border. Note that this often requires a cash transaction in Euros or the local currency.
Road toll charges
Many countries in Europe charge a toll for motorway road use and have toll gates that you drive though. You can usually pay the toll in cash or by card at the toll gate. Some tolls roads however can only be paid for online. The table below shows the European countries that have the electronic payment systems for toll roads.
This table reflects the situation for UK citizens, as of May 2023.
You may also find it useful to refer to our information on visas and the Schengen area.
| Country | International driving permit | Green card | Electronic road toll / vignette |
| Albania | 1968 | Yes. Also buy at border | – |
| Andorra | – | – | – |
| Armenia | 1968 | Yes. Also buy at border for 5000AMD (£10). Also have to pay 10000AMD (£20) car import tax (obtain car declaration form) | – |
| Austria | – | – | Choose length of stay and pay online |
| Azerbaijan | 1968 | Yes. Also buy at border | – |
| Belarus | 1968 | Yes. Also buy at border | Choose length of stay and pay online – BelToll Toll Collection System |
| Belgium | – | – | – |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1968 | – | – |
| Bulgaria | – | – | Choose length of stay and pay online. Many roads have now become toll roads in Bulgaria. The fine for not registering online is BGN70 per day (November 2023). Maximum 3 fines per calendar year – if you get three fines, do not pay vignette moving forwards. |
| Croatia | – | – | – |
| Cyprus | – | – | – |
| Czechia | – | – | Choose length of stay and pay online |
| Denmark | – | – | Øresund Bridge or Forsea ferries or StenaLine |
| Estonia | – | – | – |
| Finland | – | – | – |
| France | – | – | – |
| Georgia | – | Green card no longer accepted. Buy at border or online | – |
| Germany | – | – | – |
| Greece | – | – | – |
| Hungary | – | – | Choose length of stay and pay online |
| Iceland | – | – | – |
| Ireland | – | – | – |
| Italy | – | – | – |
| Kazakhstan | 1968 | Green card not required. If not covered, buy at border | – |
| Kosovo | 1968 | Yes. Also, easy to buy insurance at the main Elez Han [Hani i Elezit] border for €15 (£13) | – |
| Latvia | – | – | – |
| Liechtenstein | – | – | – |
| Lithuania | – | – | – |
| Luxembourg | – | – | – |
| Malta | – | – | – |
| Moldova | – | Green card not required. If not covered, buy at border. If entering Transnistria, there is a €5 car import tax | Pay for the vignette online. Note: €85 fee may be required from January 2023, although we were not required to pay this. |
| Monaco | – | – | – |
| Montenegro | 1968 | Green card not required. If not covered, buy at border | – |
| Netherlands | – | – | – |
| North Macedonia | 1968 | Yes. Also buy at some borders [Qafe Thane/Kafasan] for €50 (£43). Not available at [Tushemisht – St. Naum] border | – |
| Norway | – | – | Register vehicle with Epass24.com |
| Poland | – | – | For sections of the A2 and A4 motorways you must pay online. As of 01 July 2023, tolls have been cancelled for cars, motorbikes and combinations of vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of 3.5 tonnes. |
| Portugal | – | – | – |
| Romania | – | – | Choose length of stay and pay online |
| Russia | 1968 | Green card no longer accepted. Buy at border. | – |
| San Marino | – | – | – |
| Serbia | 1968 | – | – |
| Slovakia | 1968 | – | Choose length of stay and pay online |
| Slovenia | – | – | Choose length of stay and pay online |
| Spain | – | – | – |
| Sweden | – | – | Øresund Bridge or Forsea ferries or StenaLine |
| Switzerland | – | – | Buy annual vignette sticker at border, petrol stations, post offices |
| Turkey | 1968 | Yes. Also buy at border for TRY2200-2500 (£60-£70) | Purchase HGS sticker/card from PTT (post office) to use toll roads. Check for outstanding fines before leaving the country |
| Ukraine | – | Yes. Also buy at border | – |
| UK | – | – | Dartford Crossing online. Overview of tolls in UK. |