What Changes When You Cross a Border? 2026 Checklist
Pick your origin and destination to see the vignette rules, driving side, speed and alcohol limits and mandatory equipment that change as you cross over.
Ten European countries sell motorway vignettes while France, Spain, Italy and Portugal use toll booths; the checklist also flags driving side, alcohol limit and mandatory kit at your border.
Plan Your Cross-Border Trip
Checklist
What changes at a border is rarely just the language. Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and North Macedonia all want a motorway vignette, while France, Spain, Italy and Portugal put toll booths on the road instead; the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta put you on the other side of the carriageway altogether. Choose the country you are leaving and the one you are entering, and this checklist returns the vignette requirement, the driving side, the speed and alcohol limits, and the equipment you are legally obliged to carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
You generally need: valid driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5C or logbook), proof of insurance (green card recommended), and valid ID/passport. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-EU citizens. Additional documents may be needed depending on the country.
Not all European motorways require vignettes. Countries that require motorway vignettes include Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and North Macedonia. France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal use toll booths instead.
UK driving licence holders can drive in EU countries for short stays (typically up to 6-12 months for tourism). An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended and legally required in some countries. Always carry your original licence.
If you're driving from a left-hand traffic country (UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta) to a right-hand traffic country (or vice versa), you must adapt immediately at the border. Key tips: stay right after crossing, be extra careful at roundabouts and junctions, consider adjusting your headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
EU/EEA insurance policies provide minimum third-party cover across the EU as a legal requirement, but may not include comprehensive cover abroad. Check with your insurer before travel. A Green Card (international insurance certificate) is recommended and mandatory in some non-EU countries. Breakdown cover typically needs to be extended for international travel.