Temporary car insurance in France with a foreign licence
Expat, student, worker or visitor in France — and your driving licence was issued abroad? We insure your car short-term (1 to 90 days) with an EU, UK, US, African or other foreign licence. Non-EU licences are accepted with a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps. Proof of cover emailed in minutes.
Calculate your price and subscribe online · instant certificate.
It takes about three minutes, and your certificate is emailed to you as soon as you have paid.
Would you rather not fill in a French form? Send us your driving licence and your registration document on WhatsApp and an English-speaking adviser completes it for you.
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A licence from an EU country, held for more than 2 years: accepted for short-term insurance, with instant proof of cover by email.
Licence issued outside the EU: accepted with a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps. An adviser quickly checks your supporting documents.
Just arrived in France? Short-term insurance covers you immediately while you complete your paperwork (licence conversion, registration).
Your sign-up in 3 steps
Step 1: your situation and duration
Tell us your vehicle and the duration you need, online or by phone.
Sign-up
Price and subscription online, or an adviser does it with you.
Step 3: instant certificate
Instant proof of cover by email. We also handle your paperwork.
Short-term insurance and foreign licences: what you need to know
Whether you have just moved to France, are here on a visit, or drive with a UK, EU or non-EU licence, standard insurers often refuse a foreign licence or make you wait weeks. For short-term cover we accept French and foreign licences held for more than 2 years. Licences issued outside the European Union are accepted with a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps — and you do not need to exchange your licence for a French one first.
Conditions with a foreign licence
Duration of 1 to 90 days, renewable · driver aged 21 to 90 · French or foreign licence held for more than 2 years · non-EU licences accepted with a residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps · drivers whose previous policy was cancelled accepted · France, Corsica, EU & French overseas territories.
Need help with your situation?
Every case is different. An adviser reviews your situation (licence type, supporting documents) and guides you. We also handle your vehicle registration paperwork if needed.
Why choose us
Who is this insurance for?
- Expats and newcomers settling in France — driving legally while you wait for a licence exchange or before a standard annual policy accepts your profile.
- UK nationals visiting or living in France and driving on a UK licence (still valid after Brexit for short stays).
- Non-EU nationals (US, Canadian, African, Middle-Eastern, Asian…) holding a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps.
- International students and young professionals with a foreign licence held for more than 2 years.
- Visitors and tourists who buy, borrow or bring a car in France for a few days or weeks.
- Drivers waiting for a carte grise or a licence exchange who need to be on the road now.
See also: living in France with a foreign licence · See also: Imported vehicle · Released from the pound · Registration (carte grise)
Frequently asked questions
Can I insure a car in France with a foreign driving licence?
Yes. For short-term cover we accept French and foreign driving licences held for more than 2 years. If your licence was issued outside the European Union, it is accepted together with a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps. You do not have to exchange your licence for a French one first.
Can I still drive in France with a UK licence after Brexit?
Yes. A full UK driving licence is still valid to drive in France, and we accept it for short-term car insurance. Brexit changed nothing for a visit or a short stay; you only need to exchange it for a French licence if you become a French resident and your UK licence expires or needs renewal.
Is a non-EU licence (US, Canadian, African, Asian…) accepted?
Yes, a non-EU licence is accepted for short-term cover when you also hold a valid residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps for France, and the licence has been held for more than 2 years. An adviser quickly checks your documents so there is no bad surprise.
Do I need to exchange my foreign licence for a French one before insuring a car?
No. You can take out short-term insurance with your valid foreign licence. The exchange (for residents) is a separate administrative step that can take months — our cover lets you drive legally in the meantime.
I'm an expat living in France — can I get short-term car insurance?
Absolutely. Many expats use short-term cover while they settle in: waiting for a licence exchange, buying a first car, or before a standard annual policy accepts their profile. You choose 1 to 90 days, renewable, and get proof of cover by email.
I'm only visiting France — can I insure a car for a few days?
Yes. Short-term insurance is made for exactly this: a few days to a few weeks, for a car you borrow, buy or bring to France. You pick the number of days and receive your certificate immediately.
What documents do I need as a foreigner?
Usually your driving licence (both sides), the vehicle registration document (carte grise) or a proof of purchase, and an ID or passport. For a non-EU licence, add your residence permit, or a passport carrying entry stamps. You can send everything securely via WhatsApp.
Where am I covered — are Corsica and the rest of Europe included?
Cover applies to France, Corsica, the French overseas territories and the European Union, as shown on your green card (carte internationale d'assurance). It is designed for a vehicle circulating in France and the EU.
Does it cover driving in the UK, or in an African country?
This is French insurance for a vehicle used in France and the EU — it is not a policy to drive your own car inside the UK or across Africa. For a car entering or leaving France (for example an export towards North Africa), the right product is our border insurance or a green card; an adviser will point you to it.
How quickly do I receive my proof of insurance?
Your attestation d'assurance (proof of cover) is emailed as soon as you subscribe and pay — usually within minutes — so you can drive straight away.
How long can I be insured, and can I renew?
From 1 to 90 days, and the cover is renewable if you need more time. It is ideal while you wait for a licence exchange, a long-term policy, or the sale of the car.
Can I be insured if I've been a cancelled driver or have a foreign driving history?
Often yes. Previously cancelled (résilié) drivers can be covered depending on the situation, and we work with foreign driving histories that standard French insurers sometimes refuse. Leave your details and an adviser confirms your case, with no obligation.