European Accident Statement Form: The Complete Guide (What It Is, How to Fill It Out, and Your Rights in Europe)
Published on: March 15, 2026 Updated on: March 15, 2026
You’ve had a car accident abroad. The other driver doesn’t speak your language. You don’t have a pen. You’re not sure what form you need. This is exactly the situation the European Accident Statement form was designed for - and the moment most drivers realise they’ve never heard of it. This guide covers everything: what the form is, what every section means, your legal rights under EU law, what to do step by step, and how to fill it out digitally on your phone - in 22 languages, for free.
Last updated: 15 March 2026
Fill out the European Accident Statement online now → easf.eu
1. How easf.eu works: filling out the European Accident Statement online
EASF is a browser-based tool that digitises the European Accident Statement form. No app download, no registration, no cost. Here’s the process:
Step 1: Start a session and connect both drivers
One driver opens easf.eu on their phone and creates a session. The app generates a QR code. The other driver scans it with their phone’s camera and joins the same session - both devices are now linked in real time.
Step 2: Each driver fills in their side
The form mirrors the standard EAS layout: Driver A fills their column on their phone, Driver B fills theirs on their phone. The interface displays in each driver’s chosen language - 22 languages are supported, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Greek, Romanian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Croatian, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, and Swedish.
Each driver sees:
- Their own fields to complete
- The other driver’s completed fields (read-only)
- A live accident sketch tool
- Photo upload - take pictures of damage and add them directly to the form
Step 3: Sign and receive the PDF
Once both sides are complete, each driver signs with their finger on the screen. The app generates a signed PDF containing all data, photos, and signatures - identical to a completed paper EAS but with photos embedded and fields validated.
The PDF is emailed instantly to both drivers and, optionally, to their insurers.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Languages | 22 EU languages - each driver uses their own |
| Real-time collaboration | Both drivers fill the same form simultaneously on separate devices |
| Photo attachment | Photos are embedded in the PDF, not sent separately |
| Field validation | Missing or invalid data is flagged before submission |
| Offline mode | Works without internet; syncs when connectivity returns |
| GDPR compliant | Data processed only to generate the PDF; not stored on servers after the session ends (Regulation 2016/679) |
| Accessibility | WCAG 2.1 AA compliant (EN 301 549 v3.2.1) |
| Cost | Free |
| Accepted by insurers | The PDF follows the standard EAS field layout and numbering - accepted by EU insurers |
2. What’s inside the form: field-by-field breakdown
The EAS is a two-sided document. The front page is the critical one - it is completed and signed by both drivers at the scene. The back page is for additional notes and is sent to your insurer separately.
Front page - completed at the scene
The form is split into two mirror columns (Driver A and Driver B). Each driver fills in their own column with the same categories:
| Section | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Date, time, location | Exact date, time, street name, city, country, direction of travel | Establishes jurisdiction - the law of the country where the accident occurred applies |
| 2. Injuries | Whether anyone was injured, number of injured persons | Determines whether police involvement is mandatory |
| 3. Property damage | Damage to vehicles or other property (barriers, signs, buildings, fences, posts) | Scope of the claim |
| 4. Witnesses | Full names, addresses, phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident | Independent corroboration - insurers give significant weight to witness statements |
| 5. Driver / Insured details | Full name, address, date of birth, phone, email; distinguishing between the policyholder (insured) and the driver if they differ | Identifies the policyholder and confirms the driver was licensed |
| 6. Vehicle details | Make, model, registration number with country code, VIN if available | Links the vehicle to the insurance policy; the country code is critical for cross-border identification |
| 7. Insurance details | Insurer name, policy number, validity period, Green Card number, agency | Allows the other party’s insurer to identify and contact your insurer; the Green Card number is key for cross-border claims |
| 8. Circumstances | 17 tick-box options (e.g. “was parked/stopped”, “was pulling out/opening door”, “was turning left”, “was reversing”, “hit the rear of the other vehicle”, “was driving in the wrong direction”) - tick all that apply and write the total number ticked | The single most important section for determining liability. The Your Europe portal (EU) advises recording the total number of boxes checked to prevent later manipulation |
| 9. Sketch | A diagram showing road layout, vehicle positions before and after impact, direction of travel, road signs, lane markings | Visual evidence that supports or clarifies the tick-box circumstances; include arrows for direction of travel |
| 10. Visible damage | Description of damage to each vehicle plus a diagram to mark impact points | Documents the extent of damage before vehicles are moved or repaired; be specific (“dented rear right bumper” rather than “rear damage”) |
| 11. Remarks | Free-text field for anything not covered above - disagreements, road conditions, weather, nearby cameras | The European Consumer Centre advises noting any disagreements with the other driver here |
| 12. Signatures | Both drivers sign the same document | Confirms both parties agree on the recorded facts - not on liability |
The 17 standard circumstances (Section 8 in full)
The 17 tick-boxes are numbered identically in every language version of the form. Each driver marks only those that apply to themselves:
| No. | Circumstance |
|---|---|
| 1 | Was parked / stopped |
| 2 | Was pulling out / opening a door |
| 3 | Was moving off to park / entering a private driveway |
| 4 | Was leaving a car park / private driveway / side road |
| 5 | Was entering a roundabout |
| 6 | Was travelling on a roundabout |
| 7 | Was hitting the rear of the other vehicle travelling in the same direction and in the same lane |
| 8 | Was travelling in the same direction but in a different lane |
| 9 | Was changing lanes |
| 10 | Was overtaking |
| 11 | Was turning right |
| 12 | Was turning left |
| 13 | Was reversing |
| 14 | Was encroaching on the lane reserved for oncoming traffic |
| 15 | Was coming from the right (at a junction) |
| 16 | Had not complied with a priority sign or a red traffic light |
| 17 | Was travelling in the wrong direction |
Important: Mark only the circumstances that describe your own actions. Do not mark boxes for the other driver. Count the ticked boxes and record the total in the space provided - this prevents tampering after the fact.
Back page - completed later, individually
Each driver takes their copy (or a carbon copy / photo) and adds:
- A detailed written account of how the accident happened, in their own words
- More information about passengers, vehicle ownership, and prior damage
- Whether the vehicle is driveable
- Additional photos or documentation
This page is sent directly to your own insurer and is not shared with the other driver.
3. Frequently asked questions
Is the European Accident Statement only for accidents abroad? No. The EAS is used for any road accident in any EU country - domestic or cross-border. In France it is the standard constat amiable used for every fender-bender. In Spain, the DGT recommends the parte europeo de accidentes for all accident reporting. Poland’s PBUK recommends filling it in for every collision. You do not need to be abroad to use it.
Do I have to fill out the EAS form? No EU law mandates use of a specific form. But every insurer and consumer authority strongly recommends it - including the ADAC (Germany), ÖAMTC (Austria), TCS (Switzerland), PBUK (Poland), RACE (Spain), and the BCF (France). Without a completed EAS, your insurer has to reconstruct the accident from scratch, which delays your claim and weakens your position, especially if the other driver later disputes the facts.
What if the other driver refuses to sign? Fill in your side of the form with as much detail as possible. Note the refusal in the Remarks section. Photograph the other vehicle’s registration plate, make, model, and damage. Note any witnesses. Call the police - in all EU countries, leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging details is a criminal offence. Your insurer can still process a claim with a one-sided form and supporting evidence.
Does signing the form mean I am admitting fault? No. The form states explicitly that both signatures confirm the facts recorded - not liability. Citizens Advice UK is explicit: “don’t admit liability or apologise.” The DGT (Spain) and RACE confirm the same. Insurers determine fault based on the described circumstances, the sketch, and photographic evidence.
What if more than two vehicles are involved? Complete a separate EAS for each pair of vehicles. If vehicles A, B, and C are involved, you need forms for A–B and A–C (and B–C if relevant). Use easf.eu for each pair separately.
Does the form from easf.eu have legal value? The PDF generated by easf.eu contains all fields of the standard European Accident Statement with the same layout and numbering. It is accepted by insurers across the EU in the same way as a completed paper form. The digital signature confirms the identity and agreement of both parties.
Is my data safe on easf.eu? Yes. The service is GDPR-compliant (Regulation 2016/679). Personal data is processed solely to generate the PDF document and is not stored on the server after the session ends.
Does e-constat auto (France) work for accidents abroad or with foreign drivers? No. France Assureurs explicitly states that the e-constat auto is “not yet recognised in Europe” for cross-border use. It does not recognise foreign-registered vehicles and is available only in French. It was designed for accidents in France between French-registered vehicles.
Does Crashform (Belgium) work outside Belgium? No. Crashform, developed by Assuralia, works only within Belgium and does not support foreign licence plate numbers. It is available only in Dutch, French, and German.
Do I still need a Green Card? Within the EU/EEA, your motor insurance automatically provides minimum third-party coverage - since 1 July 2020, the Green Card is no longer required for travel within the EU/EEA (the numberplate serves as proof of insurance). The United Kingdom waived Green Card requirements for travel from EU countries in August 2021. Switzerland accepts the numberplate as proof for EU vehicles since 2024. However, a Green Card is required when driving to countries outside the EU that are part of the Green Card system (e.g., Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine). A digital Green Card (PDF on your phone) has been accepted by all Council of Bureaux member countries since 1 January 2025. Even within the EU, carrying it is strongly recommended by clubs including ADAC, ÖAMTC, and ANWB, as it contains insurer details needed for Section 7 of the EAS form.
What is the deadline to report an accident to my insurer? Deadlines vary by country and policy:
- France: 5 working days (Code des assurances, Art. L113-2) - from the date of the accident, even if you are still abroad
- Spain: 7 days (Art. 7, Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004) - unless your policy specifies otherwise
- Germany: Immediately (unverzüglich, §30 VVG) - most policies specify 7 days
- Netherlands: Typically 3 working days (check your policy)
- Belgium: 8 working days (legal requirement)
- Italy: 3 days from the accident for the direct indemnification (CID) procedure
- Hungary: Usually 48 hours per general policy conditions (ÁSZF)
- Romania / Poland: 5–7 days (check your policy) Regardless of country: report as early as possible. Late reporting can reduce or void your claim.
What is Italy’s CID/CAI system? Italy has a unique direct indemnification system (Convenzione Indennizzo Diretto, CID - now officially called the Constatazione Amichevole di Incidente, CAI, or “modulo blu”). Introduced on 1 February 2007 under D.Lgs. 209/2005 and D.P.R. 254/2006, this system means the injured party claims from their own insurer (not the other driver’s), and insurers settle between themselves through the CARD clearing house managed by Consap S.p.A. When both drivers sign the CAI, the insurer must respond within 30 days for property damage (60 days without a signed CAI; 90 days for personal injury). As of 8 April 2026, Italian insurers are required by IVASS Regulation 56/2025 to offer a digital CAI module. The CID/CARD procedure applies only to accidents in Italy - abroad, the standard European procedure applies.
What if the other driver is uninsured or flees the scene? Every EU member state has a guarantee fund (compensation body) that covers victims of uninsured, unidentified (hit-and-run), or insolvent-insurer accidents. In France: the FGAO (Fonds de Garantie des Assurances Obligatoires). In Spain: the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros. In Italy: the FGVS managed by Consap. In Germany: Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V. In the Netherlands/Belgium: the NBM/BBAV. Record as much information as possible (numberplate, make, colour, direction of travel) and call the police immediately.
Can I use an old EAS form? Yes, as long as it follows the standard Insurance Europe layout. The layout has not fundamentally changed in decades. Check that your insurer details on the form are still current - if you have changed insurer, the old form’s insurer data is no longer valid.
4. Paper EAS vs. easf.eu: side-by-side comparison
| Paper EAS | easf.eu | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Must be in the glove compartment with a pen | Any smartphone with a browser |
| Language | Need the correct pre-printed language version (or a limited bilingual version such as DE/FR) | 22 languages - each driver picks their own, freely combined |
| Filling method | Handwritten, duplicate carbon copy | Digital, real-time on two devices |
| Photos | Taken separately, sent separately - no link to the form | Embedded directly in the document |
| Data validation | None - easy to miss fields | Automatic - flags missing data before submission |
| Delivery to insurer | Post or hand-deliver (days) | Instant PDF by email |
| Signature | Pen on paper | Finger on screen |
| Offline use | Yes (it’s paper) | Yes - offline mode with sync on reconnection |
| Cost | Free (from insurer) | Free |
| Cross-border use | Yes - same layout across Europe | Yes - 22 languages, one interface |
| GDPR | N/A | Yes - data not stored after session |
5. What is the European Accident Statement?
The European Accident Statement (EAS) - known as the constat amiable in France, Europäischer Unfallbericht in Germany and Austria, parte europeo de accidentes in Spain, constatazione amichevole di incidente (or modulo CID/CAI, informally modulo blu) in Italy, oświadczenie o zdarzeniu drogowym in Poland, Europees aanrijdingsformulier in the Netherlands, kék-sárga nyomtatvány (blue-yellow form) in Hungary, Euroformulář in Czech Republic, and Европротокол (Yevroprotokol) in Ukraine - is a standardised form developed by Insurance Europe (formerly CEA, the European Insurance Committee). It exists for one purpose: to create a single, agreed record of a road accident that both drivers sign at the scene.
The form collects every piece of information an insurer needs to process a claim:
- Who was involved (drivers, passengers, witnesses)
- What happened (circumstances, damages, injuries)
- Where and when the accident occurred
- Which vehicles and insurance policies are involved
- How the accident happened (sketch and tick-box circumstances)
Why does the form matter?
Three reasons:
-
Speed. Insurers across Europe recognise the EAS layout. A completed form gives them everything they need without follow-up calls, letters, or weeks of back-and-forth. France Assureurs reports that claims submitted with a digital accident statement are processed 2–3 days faster on average than those submitted on paper. In Italy, a signed CAI halves the insurer’s response time for property damage: 30 days instead of 60.
-
Accuracy. The form walks you through a structured checklist. Without it, drivers at an accident scene tend to forget critical details - witness names, policy numbers, the exact sequence of events. Insurance Europe notes that digital versions of the EAS (such as Belgium’s Crashform) reduce the risk of incomplete submissions through automatic field validation.
-
Cross-border compatibility. Every version of the EAS - regardless of language - uses identical field layout and numbering. A form completed in Greek has exactly the same structure as one completed in Swedish. This means insurers in different countries can process each other’s forms without translation. The Spanish DGT, French Service-public.gouv.fr, Czech Ministry of Transport, and the Polish PBUK all explicitly recommend it as the standard tool for cross-border accident documentation.
Is signing the form an admission of fault?
No. The form explicitly states that signing is a confirmation of facts, not an admission of liability. Citizens Advice UK reinforces this: “Only sign the EAS when you’re sure that you understand and agree with what is recorded.” Your insurer determines fault based on the described circumstances - your signature simply confirms that the facts recorded are accurate. Do not sign the form if you have not read and understood the other driver’s column. If you disagree with something the other driver has written, note your disagreement in the Remarks section before signing.
Is the form mandatory?
No EU law requires the use of a specific accident statement form. However, the EAS is strongly recommended by the ADAC (Germany), GDV (Germany), ÖAMTC (Austria), TCS (Switzerland), PBUK (Poland), BCF (France), Service-public.gouv.fr (France), DGT (Spain), RACE (Spain), and virtually every national motor insurers’ bureau in Europe. Without a completed EAS, your insurer must reconstruct the accident from scratch - which delays your claim significantly.
6. Your rights under EU law
If you are involved in a car accident in another EU country, the law of the country where the accident occurred applies. However, EU Directive 2009/103/EC (the Motor Insurance Directive, codifying the earlier Directive 2000/26/EC) gives you five specific cross-border protections:
Right 1: You can claim from home, in your own language
Every motor insurer operating in the EU must appoint a claims representative in each other EU/EEA member state. This means you do not need to deal with a foreign insurer in a foreign language. You contact the representative in your home country, who handles the claim in your language.
To find the claims representative:
- Germany: Zentralruf der Autoversicherer - Tel. 0800 250 260 0 or zentralruf.de
- Austria: Verband der Versicherungsunternehmen Österreichs (VVO)
- Switzerland: Nationales Versicherungsbüro (NVB) / Bureau national d’assurance
- France: AGIRA (Association pour la Gestion des Informations sur le Risque en Assurance) or the Bureau Central Français (BCF)
- Spain: OFESAUTO (Oficina Española de Aseguradores de Automóviles)
- Netherlands: Verbond van Verzekeraars / Nederlands Bureau der Motorrijtuigverzekeraars
- Belgium: Assuralia / Belgisch Bureau van de Autoverzekeraars (BBAV)
- Italy: Consap (for cross-border cases involving foreign vehicles)
- Ukraine: MTSBU (Моторне (транспортне) страхове бюро України, Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine) - mtsbu.ua
- Poland: PBUK (Polskie Biuro Ubezpieczycieli Komunikacyjnych) - pbuk.pl
- All EU member states maintain an information centre - typically hosted by the national motor insurers’ bureau. The Your Europe portal (EU) provides contact details for every country.
Right 2: The insurer must respond within 3 months
Once you submit your claim, the other driver’s insurer (or their claims representative) has 3 months to either:
- Make a reasoned offer of compensation, or
- Provide a reasoned written refusal
If they fail to respond within this period, you can escalate to the national compensation body in your home country:
- Germany: Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V.
- Austria: VVO-Entschädigungsstelle
- Switzerland: Nationaler Garantiefonds
- France: FGAO (Fonds de Garantie des Assurances Obligatoires)
- Spain: Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros
- Italy: Consap (organismo di indennizzo under Art. 296, Codice delle Assicurazioni Private)
- Netherlands/Belgium: NBM (Nederland) / BBAV (België)
Right 3: You can claim directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer
Article 18 of the Directive gives you the right to submit your claim directly to the insurer of the person who caused the accident - you are not required to go through your own insurer first.
Right 4: Protection against uninsured and unidentified drivers
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, unidentified (hit-and-run), or their insurer cannot be determined, you can claim through the guarantee fund in the country where the accident occurred. Directive 2009/103/EC obliges every member state to maintain such a fund.
Right 5: Green Card system extends coverage beyond the EU
The Green Card system - administered by the Council of Bureaux in Brussels - covers approximately 47 countries and over 450 million vehicles. Your Green Card (or the digital version accepted since 1 January 2025) proves you have minimum third-party liability coverage across all member countries. Ukraine is a member through MTSBU. When a Ukrainian-registered vehicle is involved in an accident in Poland, the chain runs: other driver → PBUK → MTSBU → Ukrainian insurer.
7. What to do after a car accident in Europe: step-by-step
At the scene
Step 1: Secure the area and check for injuries. Turn on hazard lights and put on a high-visibility vest (mandatory when leaving your vehicle on roads outside built-up areas in France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and many other EU countries). Set up a warning triangle - minimum distance from the vehicle: 30 m on ordinary roads, 100 m on motorways. If anyone is injured, call 112 (the EU-wide emergency number) immediately. In serious accidents, do not move the vehicles until police or emergency services arrive.
Step 2: Call the police if required. Police involvement is mandatory in some countries for any accident, and in all countries for accidents involving injuries, suspected drink-driving, or hit-and-run. Country-specific rules:
- Croatia and Romania: Police mandatory at every accident
- Italy, Poland, Czech Republic: Police at every accident involving injuries or disputes
- Germany: Police recommended if damage exceeds approximately €1,000 (ADAC guidance)
- Austria, Slovakia: Police required for injuries or significant property damage
- France, Netherlands: Police required only for injuries or road blockage Even where not mandatory, a police report strengthens your claim. Citizens Advice recommends: always call the police if the other driver is uncooperative.
Step 3: Do not admit fault. Do not apologise, do not say “it was my fault.” Be factual and cooperative, but let the insurers determine liability. Citizens Advice UK is explicit: “don’t admit liability or apologise.” This applies equally to verbal comments and anything written on the form.
Step 4: Fill out the European Accident Statement. Complete the EAS with the other driver. Each driver fills in their own column. If you do not have a paper form, use easf.eu - it works on any smartphone in 22 languages with no app installation required. The Danish DFIM instructions begin: “Always keep the form and a ballpoint pen in your car.” Most drivers don’t - so bookmark easf.eu before you travel.
Step 5: Photograph everything. Take photos of:
- All vehicle damage (close-up and wide-angle)
- Vehicle positions on the road
- Registration plates of all vehicles involved
- Road signs, traffic lights, lane markings
- Skid marks, debris, weather conditions
- The completed EAS form (if paper)
- The other driver’s licence, Green Card, and insurance certificate
Step 6: Collect witness details. If bystanders saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number before they leave the scene. Insurance Europe specifically advises getting witness details “before they leave.” An independent witness carries significant weight with insurers.
Step 7: Read and verify before signing. Read the other driver’s column carefully before signing. If you disagree with anything they have written, note your disagreement in the Remarks section. Do not sign a form you do not understand.
After the scene
Step 8: Report to your insurer promptly. Contact your own insurer as soon as possible - report even if you are not making a claim through your own policy. Deadlines vary (see FAQ above). In France, the 5-day deadline runs from the date of the accident, even if you are still abroad - send the PDF digitally on the same day. Italy’s 3-day deadline for the direct indemnification procedure begins at the accident date.
Step 9: Submit your claim. Send the completed EAS (plus photos, police report if available, and medical documentation if applicable) to:
- The at-fault driver’s insurer directly (Art. 18 right), or
- Their claims representative in your country
Find the claims representative through your national information centre (see Right 1 above) or via the Your Europe portal.
Step 10: Track the 3-month deadline. Once your claim is submitted, the insurer has 3 months to respond. Keep records of when you sent the claim and to whom. If they miss the deadline, contact your national compensation body.
Step 11: Keep all documentation. Retain: the completed EAS (PDF or original), photos and video, police report, medical reports, invoices for tow trucks, repairs, medical expenses. Keep records until the claim is fully resolved.
8. Digital alternatives: what’s available in 2026
Several European countries have launched national digital accident reporting tools:
| Solution | Country | Launched | Operator | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-constat auto | France | 2014 | France Assureurs | France-only; not recognised for accidents abroad or with foreign vehicles; French language only |
| e-Segurnet | Portugal | 2016 | APS (Associação Portuguesa de Seguradores) | Portugal-only |
| Crashform | Belgium | 2017 | Assuralia | Belgium-only; does not support foreign-registered vehicles; available only in Dutch, French, German |
| Bouračka | Czech Republic | 2024 | ČKP (Česká kancelář pojistitelů) | Czech Republic-only; integrates with Czech vehicle register |
| mStłuczka | Poland | 2025 | Ministry of Digital Affairs (mObywatel app) | Poland-only; requires Polish national ID (PESEL) |
| Digital CAI (from insurers’ apps) | Italy | From July 2025 (deadline April 2026) | Individual insurers, per IVASS Reg. 56/2025 | Italy-only; linked to specific insurer; details to be confirmed per provider |
The gap: Every national solution works only within its own borders. France Assureurs confirms that e-constat auto “is not yet recognised in Europe” for cross-border use. Crashform does not support foreign vehicles. mStłuczka requires a Polish PESEL. None of them works for the cross-border scenario that the EAS was specifically designed for.
The Netherlands has no national digital EAS app - Dutch insurers offer individual claim portals that work only for their own customers and do not generate a jointly-signed document.
This cross-border gap is exactly what easf.eu was built to fill: 22 languages, real-time two-device collaboration, no registration, works anywhere in Europe.
9. History timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Directive 72/166/EEC establishes the foundations of free movement of motor insurance policies in Europe; the Green Card system begins formalisation at EU level. The CEA (Comité Européen des Assurances, now Insurance Europe) starts work on a standardised accident form. Some printed forms carry a “Copyright CEA 1972” mark. |
| 1978 | One of the oldest known printed EAS forms - a Danish DFIM form - dates to this year, confirming the form was in wide circulation by the late 1970s. |
| 2000 | Directive 2000/26/EC (Fourth Motor Insurance Directive) strengthens cross-border claims rights: each insurer must appoint a claims representative in every EU member state. |
| 2001 | Some CEA-copyright EAS versions carry a 2001 revision date, reflecting updated standardisation. |
| 2007 | Italy introduces the Convenzione Indennizzo Diretto (CID) system on 1 February 2007, creating a unique direct indemnification model where injured parties claim from their own insurer. |
| 2009 | Directive 2009/103/EC codifies and consolidates all previous EU motor insurance directives into a single text, the Motor Insurance Directive. |
| 2014 | France launches e-constat auto - the first national mobile accident reporting app in Europe. |
| 2016 | Portugal launches e-Segurnet (APS). |
| 2017 | Belgium launches Crashform (Assuralia). |
| 2020 | From 1 July 2020, the Green Card is no longer required for travel within the EU/EEA - the numberplate suffices as proof of insurance. |
| 2021 | Netherlands introduces the Bedrijfsregeling Directe Schadeafhandeling (DSA), a direct settlement arrangement among Dutch insurers. |
| 2022 | The EU activates the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) for Ukrainian refugees from 24 February 2022. |
| 2024 | Czech Republic launches Bouračka (ČKP). Switzerland begins accepting the EU numberplate as proof of insurance for EU-registered vehicles. |
| 2025 | Poland launches mStłuczka (mObywatel, Ministry of Digital Affairs). IVASS (Italy) publishes Regulation 56/2025 requiring all Italian insurers to offer a digital CAI module. From 1 January 2025, the digital Green Card (PDF) is accepted by all Council of Bureaux member countries. |
| 2026 | Italy’s deadline: by 8 April 2026, all insurers operating in Italy must have an operational digital CAI application. Poland’s temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees extended into 2026 (Council of the EU, 2025 decision). |
10. Key statistics
- The Green Card system covers approximately 47 countries and over 450 million vehicles worldwide (source: Council of Bureaux, FIAR 2022 presentation).
- In 2024, 19,940 people died in road accidents across the EU (source: European Commission, “Road Safety Statistics 2024”, October 2025).
- Spain recorded 1,145 fatalities in interurban road accidents in 2024 (source: DGT, Balance de Seguridad Vial 2024).
- Spain received more than 85 million international tourists in 2024 (source: INE), a significant proportion of whom drive in Spain.
- More than 950,000 Ukrainians with temporary protection status were registered in Poland at the start of 2026 (source: Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców - Polish Office for Foreigners).
- France’s e-constat auto users submit their accident declaration 2–3 days faster on average than those using the paper form (source: France Assureurs).
- Italy: a signed CAI halves insurer response time for property damage: 30 days instead of 60 (source: IVASS, Codice delle Assicurazioni Private).
- Hundreds of thousands of cross-border motor insurance claims are processed annually through the Green Card system (source: Council of Bureaux).
Sources
- European Commission – Road Safety Statistics 2024: Progress continues amid persistent challenges, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, October 2025.
- Your Europe – Car insurance cover abroad, official EU portal.
- Insurance Europe – Accidents: information for consumers.
- Citizens Advice UK – Road accident abroad.
- European Consumer Centre – Car accident in Europe.
- EUR-Lex – Directive 2009/103/EC (Motor Insurance Directive), European Parliament and Council.
- EUR-Lex – Directive 2000/26/EC (Fourth Motor Insurance Directive).
- EUR-Lex – Directive 72/166/EEC (First Motor Insurance Directive).
- EUR-Lex – Directive 2001/55/EC (Temporary Protection Directive).
- France Assureurs – e-constat auto.
- Service Public (France) – Constat amiable.
- Code des assurances (France) – Article L113-2, délai de déclaration de sinistre.
- Bureau Central Français (BCF) – bcf.asso.fr.
- FGAO (France) – Fonds de Garantie des Assurances Obligatoires.
- AGIRA (France) – Association pour la Gestion des Informations sur le Risque en Assurance.
- DGT (Spain) – Información en caso de accidente.
- Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004 (Spain) – Ley sobre responsabilidad civil y seguro en la circulación de vehículos a motor, BOE.
- OFESAUTO (Spain) – Oficina Española de Aseguradores de Automóviles.
- Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (Spain) – consorseguros.es.
- FIVA / TIREA (Spain) – Fichero Informativo de Vehículos Asegurados.
- RACE (Spain) – Real Automóvil Club de España.
- INE (Spain) – Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
- ADAC (Germany) – Unfall im Ausland: Was tun?.
- Zentralruf der Autoversicherer (Germany) – zentralruf.de.
- Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland – Autounfall im EU-Ausland.
- ÖAMTC (Austria) – Verkehrsunfall im Ausland.
- TCS (Touring Club Schweiz) – Unfallprotokoll Europa.
- DFIM (Denmark) – European Accident Statement (PDF).
- PBUK (Poland) – Wspólne oświadczenie o zdarzeniu drogowym (PDF).
- Ministerstwo Transportu (Czech Republic) – Euroformulář záznamu o dopravní nehodě.
- IVASS (Italy) – Cosa fare in caso di sinistro.
- Regolamento IVASS n. 56/2025 – Esiti della pubblica consultazione.
- ANIA (Italy) – Associazione Nazionale fra le Imprese Assicuratrici.
- Consap (Italy) – Fondo di Garanzia per le Vittime della Strada.
- UCI (Italy) – Ufficio Centrale Italiano, European Green Card.
- D.Lgs. 7 settembre 2005, n. 209 (Italy) – Codice delle Assicurazioni Private.
- Verbond van Verzekeraars (Netherlands) – Bedrijfsregeling Directe Schadeafhandeling.
- Consumentenbond (Netherlands) – Europees schadeformulier voor je auto.
- ANWB (Netherlands) – Alles over de groene kaart.
- Nederlands Bureau der Motorrijtuigverzekeraars – Digitale groene kaart.
- Assuralia (Belgium) – Checklist: Aanrijding.
- Mtsbu.ua (Ukraine) – Моторне (транспортне) страхове бюро України.
- PBUK (Poland) – pbuk.pl.
- ČKP (Czech Republic) – ckp.cz.
- Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców (Poland) – Office for Foreigners, statistics on Ukrainian temporary protection holders.
- Council of Bureaux – Green Card system statistics (FIAR 2022 presentation).
- Baloise Luxembourg – Car accident abroad: what should you do?
- EASF – European Accident Statement Form.