What is the NBI?

The National Bureau of Insurance (NBI) or its President represents Switzerland in the bodies of the international umbrella organisation, the Council of Bureaux (CoB), which is responsible for insurance cover in international motor vehicle traffic. The CoB has adopted the Internal Regulations, which are binding provisions that govern the cooperation between the various national bureaux. This makes it easier to settle claims arising from accidents abroad.


Who finances the NBI?

The NBI is financed by a statutory levy paid by motorists together with their motor insurance premium. The annual levy currently amounts to:

Contribution per year for	NBI
Motorcycles	CHF 0.40
Passenger vehicles up to 3.5 tons	CHF 0.80
Heavy motor vehicles	CHF 1.60

What is the Green Card?

The Green Card confirms that the policyholder also has sufficient insurance cover while abroad. The Green Card is subject to the statutory provisions applying in the visited country and to the national insurance cover required by law.


Why do I need a Green Card?

If you travel to any of the green countries on the map, you will have to ask your insurance company to send you the Green Card unless you already have a Green Card that is still valid. The Green Card confirms that you have sufficient insurance cover while you are abroad. If an accident occurs, all the losses caused by the vehicle concerned will therefore be covered in accordance with local legislation.

As a general rule, motorists driving to any of the blue countries on the map no longer need a Green Card.


(Click on the map to see enlarged view)

How much does the Green Card cost and where can I get it?

If you plan to travel to or through a country that requires a Green Card, you can order one from your insurance company, unless you already have one that is still valid. The Green Card is free of charge; however, it is no longer supplied automatically by all the insurers.

Is my Green Card also valid for Kosovo?

The Green Card is not valid for Kosovo. To enter Kosovo with your car, you will have to buy a frontier insurance policy. The same also applies to vehicles registered in Kosovo. When they enter any of the countries of the Green Card System or the EU/EEA territory, they will also have to conclude a frontier insurance contract. For this reason, it is not possible to refund frontier insurance premiums rightly paid in Kosovo.

Before reaching the customs check point, a motorist notices that he has forgotten the Green Card. Does he have to turn around now?

No. In the countries in which a Green Card is mandatory, he will have to conclude a frontier insurance contract and can then continue his trip. In order to avoid buying a frontier insurance policy, which generally is expensive, it is advisable to find out before setting off on a trip whether a Green Card is required, and if so, to ensure that you carry a valid Green Card with you.

What happens after you have been involved in an accident in Germany?

In any case, the details of the accident have to be taken down by the police, who will have to make a report. Owing to the Visitor Protection Agreement, which entered into force on 1 October 2003, the Swiss motorist can return to Switzerland and contact the NBI. The NBI will tell the motorist the name of the foreign insurance company’s claims representative, so that the motorist can contact the representative. The claim will then be handled in Switzerland, however in accordance with the law of the country where the accident occurred.