Accident involving a foreign vehicle: How the German Green Card Bureau helps with reporting the accident
02.04.25
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
An accident involving a vehicle registered abroad may seem complicated. However, the German Green Card Bureau significantly simplifies accident reporting and claims handling. Find out how to secure your claims and what role the Green Insurance Card plays in the process.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The German Green Card Bureau (DBGK) is the central point of contact in Germany for accident reports and claims handling in accidents involving vehicles from the Green Card System.
Careful documentation at the scene of the accident (number plate, Green Card, photos, European Accident Statement) is crucial for a successful accident report to DBGK.
The Green Insurance Card (often white and available as a PDF) serves as international proof of insurance and simplifies processing, even though the number plate agreement applies in many EU countries.
Understanding the Green Card and the DBGK: Your first point of contact for accidents abroad in Germany
Every year, numerous accidents occur on German roads involving vehicles with foreign registration plates. For those affected, the question often arises: how do I report the damage and who will cover it? This is where the Green Card system comes into play, an international agreement between around 48 states that makes it easier to settle such cases. The German Green Card Bureau e.V. (DBGK) is the organisation responsible in Germany and serves as the central point of contact for those affected when an accident with an international element is reported.
The Green Insurance Card, which has also been issued on white paper since 1 July 2020 and is valid as a PDF, serves as proof of existing motor third-party liability insurance for the foreign vehicle. Even though within the EU the registration plate agreement often applies and the national registration plate is sufficient as proof of insurance, the Green Card significantly simplifies the handling of a claim. In some countries outside the EU, carrying it is even mandatory. The DBGK effectively takes on the role of the foreign insurer in Germany or appoints a German insurer to settle the claim. This ensures that, as the injured party, you can assert your claims under German law, which usually covers compensation of at least one million euros for personal injury. The existence of this system means a considerable simplification and added protection for you, as you do not have to correspond directly with a foreign insurer, which would often be associated with language barriers and legal uncertainty.
Step-by-step guide: Reporting an accident to the German Green Card Bureau
After an accident involving a vehicle registered abroad, swift and correct action is crucial for a smooth accident report to the German Green Card Bureau. First secure the accident scene and, if necessary, provide first aid. The most important thing is documentation: note the number plate, make and model of the other vehicle, as well as its country of origin. Ask the other party for their Green Insurance Card and, ideally, photograph it; it contains important details such as the insurance company and policy number. Even if the person who caused the accident comes from an EU country and does not have the card with them, the DBGK can often still help based on the registration number alone.
Complete a European Accident Report together with the other party. This is standardised and available in many languages, which makes communication easier. It serves as a memory aid and summarises the key facts about how the accident happened and the damage caused. Take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved and the damage. Also note the names and addresses of any witnesses. With this information, you can then contact the German Green Card Bureau. The report can be submitted online via their website. The DBGK checks jurisdiction and initiates claims handling by appointing a German insurer or a specialist claims handler. This process ensures that your case is handled under German law, which usually guarantees you a period of three months for settlement or a reasoned offer.
Quick Facts: The essentials of accident reporting and the Green Card at a glance
To give you a quick overview, here are the key points on reporting an accident to the German Green Card Bureau:
DBGK is your contact in Germany for accidents caused by vehicles from the Green Card system. More than 45 countries are involved.
The Green Card (often white) serves as proof of insurance; in many EU countries, the registration plate is often sufficient.
Document the accident thoroughly: registration plate, the other party’s Green Card, photos, European Accident Statement. At least two photos are recommended.
Report the claim to the DBGK, often online. Prompt reporting within seven days is advisable.
The claim settlement is handled under German law by a claims representative appointed by the DBGK.
The European Accident Statement is not mandatory, but very helpful for the claims handling.
These points will help you take the necessary first steps correctly in the event of an accident. The Green Card is no longer always green, but its function as an international proof of insurance remains, and it makes reporting an accident much easier, even if in some countries such as Italy it is now only recommended and no longer compulsory.
Practical examples and common pitfalls in accident reporting
Imagine a lorry registered in Poland causes a rear-end collision on a German motorway. The German car driver is injured, and their vehicle has damage of more than 8,000 euros. Thanks to the accident report submitted to the German Bureau for the Green Card, they do not have to deal with the Polish insurer. They report the damage to the DBGK, which commissions a German insurer to handle the settlement. A common pitfall is incomplete documentation at the scene of the accident. Without the vehicle registration number or details of the at-fault party’s insurer, identification becomes difficult, even for the DBGK. Another point is limitation periods: claims for compensation arising from road traffic accidents in Germany generally expire after three years.
Another example: a tourist from a non-EU country, whose country is nevertheless part of the Green Card system (e.g. Turkey), damages a car parked in Germany while reversing out of a parking space. The damage amounts to 1,500 euros. Here too, the DBGK is the right point of contact for reporting the accident. Difficulties can arise if the person responsible for the accident cannot or will not produce a Green Card. In that case, it is all the more important to note the vehicle registration number and personal details and, if possible, involve the police. Please note that while the DBGK handles the settlement, processing times can sometimes be longer than for purely domestic accidents due to the necessary consultations with foreign insurers. A foreign damage protection insurance can provide additional protection here.
Expert knowledge: legal basics and tips from a professional
The Green Card system is based on UN Recommendation No. 5 from 1949 and the corresponding EU directives. Its aim is to protect road traffic accident victims in accidents involving foreign parties. For you as the injured party in Germany, this means that, in the event of an accident with a vehicle from a member state of the system, the German Green Card Bureau (Deutsches Büro Grüne Karte e.V.) ensures that your claims are settled under German law on damages. This includes repair costs, expert fees, car hire, loss of use, diminution in value and, where applicable, compensation for pain and suffering. The maximum cover limit is often several million euros.
Our expert tip: always keep a European Accident Statement in the vehicle. Even if it is not mandatory everywhere, it makes it much easier to record the accident details in a structured way, especially where there are language barriers. Another tip: if the circumstances are unclear or if there are injuries, always insist on calling the police. Their report can be very valuable when later reporting the accident and handling the claim. The DBGK can also be sued, meaning it can be named as a defendant if the claim is not handled properly, but careful documentation from the outset prevents many problems. Also find out about the central call service of motor insurers for cases abroad.
If you are unsure how to proceed after reporting an accident to the German Green Card Bureau, or if you need support in enforcing your claims, we will be happy to help. The complexity of international claims often requires specialist knowledge in order to cover all eventualities. Professional advice can be crucial here to avoid financial disadvantages and speed up the process. Remember that a complete accident report is the first step towards a successful settlement.
Request an individual risk analysis now: have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
German Green Card Bureau e.V. offers comprehensive information on the international Green Card system and is the central point of contact in Germany for handling road traffic accidents involving foreign parties.
Central Call Service of Motor Insurers enables the rapid identification of the responsible motor liability insurer of another party, both within Germany and in accidents involving foreign countries.
European Union (EUR-Lex) is the official source for all EU legislation, including the directives that govern motor liability insurance and the Green Card system in Europe.
United Nations (UNECE) is the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations, which is significantly involved in the development of international agreements and recommendations in the area of road traffic, which form the basis for the Green Card system.
FAQ
What are the tasks of the German Green Card Bureau e.V.?
DBGK is the competent body in Germany for handling motor third-party liability claims caused in this country by vehicles registered abroad. It ensures that injured parties can assert their claims under German law.
Do I always need the other party’s Green Card to report the accident to DBGK?
The Green Card contains important data and makes the process easier. If it is not available (e.g. for vehicles from EU countries with number plate agreements), the registration number and the country of origin of the other vehicle are often sufficient for reporting to DBGK.
What is the European Accident Report, and do I have to use it?
The European Accident Report is a standardised form for documenting an accident. Its use is not always legally required, but it is strongly recommended, as it makes recording the accident data much easier, especially when there are language barriers, and supports later claims settlement.
Does German or foreign law apply to claims handling?
If the accident occurred in Germany, the claim settlement is carried out by the German Green Card Bureau or its authorised representatives in accordance with German compensation law.
How can I contact the German Green Card Bureau to report an accident?
You can usually report an accident online via the German Green Card Office website. There you will find the necessary forms and information about the process.
What happens if the foreign vehicle is uninsured or the driver commits a hit-and-run?
In such cases, under certain conditions, Verkehrsopferhilfe e.V. can step in. Deutsches Büro Grüne Karte can inform you about the options.
