Green Cards - Balkans, Ukraine ...
 

In preparing for my Eastern European Tour this Spring, I searched the internet for some advice on obtaining Green Card insurance for my list of potential destinations. I found the exercise to be unsatisfactory, as the results were - to my mind – inconsistent, not authoritative, and somewhat frustrating. Having made the rounds, I now understand.

What follows is not an advice column, but a report of my experiences in April and May of 2019. I took some risks, but with full understanding and appreciation – no admonitions necessary, thanks.  :smartass:

I obtained a 3-month Green Card from a Bulgarian vendor at a very good price. As in all things, one usually gets what one pays for. A knowledgeable, experienced and trusted individual (who also sells Green Cards...) told me of others whose accident liability was not settled by my insurer, and litigation followed them home - beware. Here’s what transpired in the countries I visited which were not covered by the Bulgarian card. Remember that Eastern European countries have border formalities both entering and leaving.

I entered northern Bosnia on an Easter holiday weekend. Nobody asked for my insurance and I saw no opportunity to purchase. No fuss leaving. There was conflicting information on my Green Card regarding Serbia – the unofficial advice I received at the border was to “ride careful”.

In one day, I entered and left North Macedonia, then entered, left, and returned to Albania (we took a short cut through Greece). I presented my Card with the moto documents when asked, but the “X” through those countries was not noticed, I guess. There was no obvious place to purchase insurance in either case, but not much is “obvious” when you don’t even understand then alphabet.

Upon re-entering North Macedonia a few days later, I was obliged to climb the stairs and purchase a 2-week Green Card for 50Euro. I rode there for 2 days.

Next came the outrageous (and amusing as I look back ...) experience of leaving Romania, and passing through a tiny strip of Moldova to get into Ukraine. This is perhaps worthy of separate post, but be forewarned. The 4 border stations were all within about 5 kilometres and it took some 5 hours or more to deal with all the – I’ll be kind and say – “formalities”.

ANYway, the Moldovans took 5Euro for a 1-month Green Card to transit the 5 minutes of cratered “road”, while the Ukrainians wanted 5Euro for a 2-week Green Card. Both were available at kiosks near respective their borders. The Moldovans allowed me to ride there, while the Ukrainians insisted I walk the short distance. Everyone was armed to the teeth.

Best of luck! Notwithstanding the above, I had an absolutely brilliant time on my solo journey. The Balkans are particularly wonderful.

Nice informative post, thank you for taking the time to make it.

I wrote a rather detailed post a few years ago about Balkans insurance, here is a link to it: Balkans Insurance - Here's the story, with details & sample documents.

Sounds like not much has changed in the past 5 years.

It is a major PITA to enter and leave Ukraine - for anyone planning to do so, allow about half a day to get into the country, and several hours to get out again. At some of the more rural border crossings into Ukraine, the locals will wave motorcycles up to the front of the queue... it might be worth asking a few people at the back of the queue (once you join it) if that practice is followed at the location you are entering Ukraine.


Michael