{"id":58,"date":"2023-06-08T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk\/blog\/?p=58"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:47:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T14:47:30","slug":"guide-car-hire-after-leaving-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/expats\/guide-car-hire-after-leaving-eu\/","title":{"rendered":"What to know about hiring a car in Europe after we leave the EU"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many, hiring a car to get around Europe is the easiest and cheapest way to travel. But what\u2019s happened to this option now that Brexit has been completed? Find out all this and more here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car hire in Europe after we leave in 2021<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be pleased to know that you can still hire a car in Europe even now that Brexit has been finalised. Nothing much has changed, but you might need an international driving permit <\/a>(IDP) to hire a car in some countries and with some hire companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning on hiring a car in the EU, it would be best to check with the hire company you\u2019re using before you travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if I have an old paper licence?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a photocard, it\u2019s more likely that you\u2019ll need an IDP. Some countries, such as Belgium, France and Germany<\/a> might require you to get a permit if you have a paper licence. The government website advises you to check with the embassy of the country you\u2019ll be driving in<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I get an IDP if I need one?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting an IDP is easy; you can go to your local Post Office<\/a> and get one over the counter. A permit costs just \u00a35.50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Post Office suggests that if you haven\u2019t called the hire company before travelling, it\u2019s usually a good idea to err on the side of caution and purchase an IDP just in case you need one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will I need a green card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image source: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No, you\u2019ll only need a green card if you\u2019re driving your own car from the UK to a country in the EU. If this applies to you, we\u2019ve also covered the new rules in our blog on post-Brexit green card rule changes<\/a>. You\u2019ll also need one if you\u2019re hiring a car in the UK and driving it in Europe, which we cover below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will my insurance still be valid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re purchasing insurance through your hire company, it\u2019s likely that nothing will change and your insurance will still be valid. You should check this with your hire company just in case, but for the most part, the insurance process will be exactly the same \u2013 so long as you have the right paperwork, such as your driving licence and an IDP if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the rules for hiring a car in the UK and driving it in the EU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not much has changed on this front. You\u2019ll still need to get the hire company\u2019s permission to drive the car in the EU as some don\u2019t allow this. You\u2019ll also need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n