The Green Card system consists of 46 Green Card Bureaux representing about 1500 motor insurers in 50 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East:
Member countries of Green Card System
A Green Card Bureau is an organisation established in each country of the Green Card system, guaranteeing that a victim suffering damage from a road traffic accident caused by a foreign vehicle (from another participating country) will be compensated in the country of the accident.
The Bureau of the country of the accident can, subsequently, recover all compensations paid from the Bureau of the country from which the liable vehicle originates.
The expenses of the Bureau of the country of the accident incurred in settling losses caused by drivers of foreign vehicles are subject to compensation at the expense of the Bureau of the country of origin of the vehicle.
Each Green Card Bureau represents the motor liability insurers of its country.
A Green Card Bureau has two functions:
- As a "Bureau of the country of the accident" (or handling Bureau), it has responsibility for the handling and settlement of claims arising from accidents caused by visiting vehicles. When compensating victims, the handling Bureau will apply the rules of insurance and liability law of the country of the accident.
- As a Guaranteeing Bureau it guarantees certificates of Motor Insurance, Green Cards, which are issued by its member insurance companies to their policyholders.
Green Card Bureaux cooperate on the basis of the Internal Regulations and operate with the recognition and approval of their governments.