Besides planning your itinerary and getting your vehicle in good shape for a continental road trip, there’s a lot more to think about before driving in Europe.
Here’s our checklist of everything you need to drive in Europe, from travel documents to the extra equipment and spares you should carry to keep on the right side of the law.
Important travel documents
When driving in Europe, you will need to be able to produce all manner of important documents to prove you are eligible to drive, you own your vehicle, and you have the correct insurance. Here is a list of what you need to take.
Full valid driving licence
Not taking your driving licence is an easy oversight, like not signing your passport before you get to the ferry port or the Channel Tunnel! Don’t forget your full driving licence when driving in Europe. It will be accepted in all countries in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA).
Even though Switzerland isn’t in the EU or EEA, you can still use your UK driving licence there as long as you are 18 or over.
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
This is a new document that is expected to launch in late 2026 (but exact timings are subject to change) for UK citizens and other visa-exempt travellers and will act like an ESTA when you visit the USA. If you’re looking to travel to Europe later this year, it’s a good idea to check if it’s active before you go, as you will need to complete this prior to your journey.
You will need to apply online before you get to the Channel Tunnel, and it will cost a small fee.
The new Entry/Exit system EES
Launched in late 2025 gradually, the European Union’s new Entry/Exit system means you will no longer get a physical passport stamp when travelling to our European neighbours in France. A new digital border system is in place for those travelling to the Schengen area from non-EU countries.
EES checks have been phased in and have been since October 2025, and as of 10 April 2026, they’re fully implemented. It’s designed to record your entry and exit in this area of Europe.
The new rules mean you will need to register your biometric details (such as your fingerprints and photo) when you first arrive. This will often cause a longer trip, so factor this into your journey time. It’s worth noting that children under 12 don’t need to provide fingerprints, but will still need to register and have their photo taken.
You will need to create a digital record of who you are at the port on your first visit to the Schengen area at dedicated booths to have your photo and fingerprints taken. If you’re going through the Eurotunnel, the checks will be completed in the UK. Your EES digital record will last for three years (and is re-verified when you cross the border), and your total stay for leisure or work can be for no longer than 90 days in a 180 day period.
Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Motorists planning on driving in Europe will need to pack a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaces the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
GHIC will offer similar protection for travellers as that afforded by EHIC: ’emergency and medically necessary healthcare needs’ when a UK resident is in the EU on a temporary stay, for business or pleasure.
GHICs can be obtained through the NHS website and are free of charge. Travellers are advised to apply at least two weeks before their trip.
The GHIC is not intended as a replacement for regular travel insurance, which you should take out for protection against lost luggage, emergency illness or injury, delays or cancellations to your trip, and more.
Check your car insurance
If you are driving in Europe, it’s always best to ensure your car insurance covers you whilst you are abroad, as you may not have overseas cover. We offer free European cover with our car insurance policies for up to 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on your needs.
It is also worth noting that you may need green card insurance should you be travelling to certain countries such as Albania, Ukraine, Turkey or Moldova. To find out how to get green card cover, contact Sterling on 0344 381 9990.
International Driving Permit
If you are driving in Europe, an International Driving Permit (IDP) will allow you to drive in countries where a UK licence alone is insufficient. An IDP can be obtained at a PayPoint store. You will need to bring your driving licence and a passport photo for proof of who you are, and will need to be 18 or older. You will then be able to complete the application form and pay £5.50 to submit your documents before being issued an IDP for your trip.
There are three types of IDP (1926, 1949 and 1968), each allowing you to drive in different countries, so if you are touring Europe, you may need more than one, so always check official government advice for the countries you are planning to visit.
Holiday documentation
When you are driving in Europe, you may be asked by border security to show your return ferry or Channel crossing tickets and your accommodation booking confirmation. Carry them with you and keep them to hand, keeping printouts of online bookings and confirmations to minimise inconvenience.
Passport
Your passport must be less than 10 years old when entering the EU and have at least three months before expiration when leaving the EU. It’s also a good idea to take a photocopy and/or store your passport digitally and keep it separate from the original when you travel. This will help you get a replacement more easily if you lose your passport while travelling.
Vehicle log book (V5C)
You must take your vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you’re taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months, and you may have to show it if you’re stopped at a port or while driving in Europe. The V5C tracks the registration and taxation history of a specific vehicle and confirms your ownership of it.
You’ll need to apply for a V5C or update your V5C in advance to ensure it arrives before your journey.
European breakdown cover
Our European breakdown cover is available from £42 a year and provides you with 60 days’ breakdown cover while driving in Europe in any one calendar year. Sterling can arrange roadside recovery or a reliable home repair service, whether your car or van breaks down in the UK, Europe or further afield.
Emissions stickers
When driving in Europe, you will find that some countries have tough regulations that require you to buy and display an emissions sticker showing how much pollution your vehicle generates. They cost very little, but the fines you receive for not displaying a sticker can be very expensive.
Drivers travelling through parts of France should now display a windscreen emissions sticker labelling how much their car pollutes, according to the French government. The label will set holidaymakers back £4, but should you fail to correctly display one, you may end up with a £58 fine, which could rise to £154 if not paid within 45 days.
There are locations in France that require the sticker known as Crit’Air, which lasts for the lifespan of your vehicle and must be displayed before you cross the Channel. It is worth noting there are six different types of stickers, and you will need to display the correct one upon entering the country. They range from 0/E to 5, with the cleanest polluting cars such as electric and hydrogen fuelled engines requiring a 0/E.
Some of the areas are:
- Paris
- Bordeaux
- Grenoble
- Lyon
- Lille
- Nice
- Marseille
- Reims
- Aix-Marseille-Provence
- Montpellier
- Clermont-Ferrand
- Toulouse
- Strasbourg
- Rouen
Cities with low-emission zones may prohibit your car at certain times and could even ban higher-polluting vehicles completely. You can find out where you will need an emissions sticker and which of the stickers you will need online.
Other European countries have also introduced emission regulations, such as Switzerland with Stick’Air in Geneva or E-Vignette for a motorway toll and Spain, where you must register your vehicle’s emissions class for specific cities on their municipal website to avoid a fine.
Checklist of equipment needed for driving in Europe
In many European countries, it’s compulsory to have certain equipment in the car. Exactly what you need varies from country to country and time of year, but it usually includes some or all of the following.
Check your satnav
If you are driving in Europe, it is illegal in France and several other EU countries to use satnavs or other electronic equipment that alerts you of speed enforcement cameras. If your satnav provides such alerts, it is recommended that you switch them off before you enter Europe.
Reflective jackets
When driving in Europe, reflective jackets are required in many countries, with some requiring one per driver and passenger.
Warning triangle
A warning triangle is compulsory in most countries. Many countries require you to have two: one for in front and one for behind your vehicle.
Spain transitioned to V16 beacons to replace warning triangles in January 2026 for Spanish-registered cars. For foreign vehicles entering Spain, warning triangles are still being accepted until a common EU law is introduced, but the Directorate-General for Traffic (Spanish traffic authority) encourages all drivers to use beacons and adopt the new system for the safest way to travel. Note that these beacons require an Internet of Things (IoT) connection to send GPS to the Spanish traffic authority; they aren’t just a flashing light.
Headlamp beam deflectors
When driving in Europe, deflector stickers are needed to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. You can buy deflector stickers from most car shops and, more expensively, at ferry ports and the Channel Tunnel. You may also be able to adjust the beam manually.
First aid kit
Something that is always handy to have, this is compulsory in Austria and Germany and advised in all other European countries.
Bulbs, basic tools and other spares
Replacement bulbs, belts, wiper blades, oil, water and other lubricants, along with the tools to fit replacement parts or top-up lubricant levels, are also advisable.
Make sure you research before you travel
Equipment needs for driving in Europe vary from country to country, so research what you need in the country of destination and the countries you will have to drive through.
Fines for non-compliance with local driving laws can be expensive, and often payment is required on the spot.
Remember the rules of the road
Your muscle memory often kicks in when you are driving, but it’s imperative that you obey the rules of the road when behind the wheel in a foreign country. Unless you are driving in Ireland, Malta or Cyprus, you will be driving on the opposite side of the road when travelling through Europe.
This may not seem like a drastic change, but it is enough to confuse many first-time holiday drivers. Ensure you give yourself extra time to complete your journey and take regular breaks. And pay extra attention when approaching roundabouts, junctions and overtaking as this works differently to driving in the UK.
Driving rules in specific countries
We’ve summarised the basic information you need to know ahead of driving in the most popular European countries Brits travel to each year.
Driving in Belgium
Compulsory items
- UK sticker
- Warning triangle
- Reflective jacket
Emission rules
Antwerp and Brussels both have a low-emission zone (LEZ).
Driving in France
Compulsory items
- UK sticker
- Warning triangle
- Reflective jacket
- Crit’Air sticker
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Winter tyres or snow chains – these are compulsory in some areas during winter (1 November to 31 March)
Emission rules
A number of French cities now have low-emission schemes, and more are being added all the time.
Driving in Germany
Compulsory items
- UK sticker
- Warning triangle
- Reflective jacket for each occupant – compulsory to wear if you leave your vehicle due to an accident or breakdown
- First aid kit
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Winter tyres or snow chains – these are compulsory in some areas during winter or snowy conditions
- Environmental badge
- Umweltplakette sticker – this is the emissions sticker you need in Germany
Emission rules
Major German cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne, Stuttgart and Munich all have low-emission zones. You will be required to display your emissions sticker, known as ‘Umweltplakette’, to enter these zones. There are three colours of stickers: green, yellow and red. Each colour denotes your car’s emission standard.
Driving in Ireland
Compulsory items
No special equipment is required, but safety items are still recommended.
Emission rules
There are no rules or schemes at the time of publication.
Driving in Italy
Compulsory items
- UK sticker
- Warning triangle
- Reflective jackets for each occupant – these are compulsory to wear if your vehicle breaks down or you are in an accident
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Spare tyre
- Winter tyres or snow chains – these are dependent on conditions, and during certain times of the year. Must be used where signs indicate
Emission rules
The majority of Italian cities now have low-emission zones, especially in the northern regions. You will find restrictions in Milan, Florence, Turin, Rome and Bologna, as well as others. A lot of these tourist destinations will ban you from driving during weekdays, and some cars will be banned on Sundays too.
Driving in the Netherlands
Compulsory items
No special equipment is required, but you will need a UK sticker if your number plate does not include a UK identifier such as the Union flag.
Emission rules
Rotterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem have low-emission zones (LEZs). Unlike other countries, you will not need to order an emissions sticker for your vehicle in advance (it is quite easy to do so). All that matters is the date of your car’s first registration, which you can find on your vehicle registration certificate (V5C).
Driving in Portugal
Compulsory items
- UK sticker
- Reflective jacket
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Photo ID
- Electronic tolls are now common in Portugal, but you may need to register your vehicle or prepay tolls – you can prepay tolls on the official Portugal Tolls website
Emission rules
Lisbon is the only city in Portugal to have a low-emission zone (LEZ) and has two zones within it. You can drive in zone one provided your car complies with Euro 2 emission standards, which generally means cars manufactured since January 1997. You can drive in zone two if your car meets Euro 1 emission standards – those manufactured since January 1992.
Driving in Spain
Compulsory items
- A UK sticker must be on your vehicle even if you have a UK identifier
- Two red warning triangles
- Reflective jacket for each occupant – you won’t be fined for not carrying one, but you could be for not wearing one on the road should you break down
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- A tyre repair system
Emission rules
Madrid and Barcelona both have permanent low-emission zones (LEZ), with many other cities in Spain having temporary LEZ.
V16 beacons
Spain transitioned to V16 beacons to replace warning triangles in January 2026 for Spanish-registered cars. For foreign vehicles entering Spain, warning triangles are still being accepted until a common EU law is introduced, but the Directorate-General for Traffic (Spanish traffic authority) encourages all drivers to use beacons and adopt the new system for the safest way to travel. Note that these beacons require an Internet of Things (IoT) connection to send GPS to the Spanish traffic authority; they aren’t just a flashing light.
Driving in Switzerland
Compulsory items
- UK sticker
- Warning triangle, which must be kept within reaching distance
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Snow chains to be used where signs indicate
- Motorway tax sticker – if you drive on the motorway, you’ll need a motorway vignette to show you’ve paid tax. Whilst you can buy physical versions of these from customs offices at the Swiss border, you can also get an E-vignette which is linked to your licence plate without the need to display a sticker on your windscreen.
Emission rules
Geneva is the only city in Switzerland to have a low-emission zone (LEZ). The entire metropolitan area of Geneva is included, as well as Carouge, Cologny, Lancy and Vernier.
Driving rules in Europe may have changed since this article was published in April 2026. Please check official government sources before travelling. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute as legal or travel advice. While we aim to keep information up to date, we can’t guarantee its completeness or full accuracy.
European car insurance and breakdown cover
Whichever country you plan on driving to, you will need to ensure you have the right car insurance to give you peace of mind should the worst happen.
No matter the vehicle, make sure to take our breakdown insurance with you. Read this blog to discover the true cost of not having breakdown cover.
Sterling also has a range of car insurance policies for every sort of car, van and campervan, with EU cover available. Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote or request a callback at a time better suited to you.