What you need to know when travelling to the EU in your Porsche

When you’re driving from the UK to the EU, there are quite a few requirements you need to meet, in order to make sure your car is legally compliant, and also that you’re properly prepared for the rules abroad when on the road. We’ve put together a list of the key things you need to know about, to make sure you have everything in place before you go…

Do I need a visa?

You don’t need a visa to travel within the EU if your trip's going to last less than 90 days in a 180 day period, and you are visiting as a tourist. Any longer than this, and you may need to apply for a visa for an extended stay. Have a look at the government’s info on this for the various different EU countries here. 

For pets travelling with you, it looks like the government may be introducing new pet passports to overhaul the current, lengthy system, and to ease the burden of travel with your furry companions. We’ll keep you updated on that one, as things could be changing soon!

Number plates

You will need to display a UK identifier on the rear of your Porsche when travelling in Europe. If your number plate includes the UK on its own or the UK with the Union flag then you do not need a separate UK sticker, unless you are travelling to Spain, in which case a separate sticker is necessary. If your numberplate has a Euro symbol, no identifier or a national flag, or a GB sticker, you will need a separate UK sticker displayed on the rear of your vehicle (and you should cover up or remove the GB one).

Headlights

When abroad, you will need to either adjust your headlights (as you will be driving on the other side of the road and don’t want to startle drivers coming in the opposite direction), or you’ll need to add some headlamp deflectors. In newer cars, you might not need then as you can adjust them internally.

In some countries it is compulsory to use your headlights at all times - so do be aware of this and research the rules on where you are going before you leave the UK.

Vehicle documents

If you’re stopped by the police while driving in Europe, they may ask to see the necessary documents for your car. So bring some proof that you own it, such as the V5 certificate, and also proof of your insurance and your MOT. Take your driving licence too - the photo card UK licence is all you need, unless you have the old-style paper licence in which case you’ll need to check to see if you need an International Driving Permit too.

Breakdown cover

In case of breakdown, make sure (before you go!) that you have European breakdown cover in place.

Equipment on board

In some countries, such as France and Italy, you need to have a reflective jacket on board for each person travelling which is accessible from within the vehicle. In most EU countries you need to have a warning triangle with you in case you break down - and in Spain you’ll need two if you are towing. Some EU countries require you to carry a first aid kit and spare bulbs for your lights. In France you might also want to carry a breathalyser, but there’s no longer a penalty for not doing so. In many countries it is also suggested that you carry a fire extinguisher. You can buy handy kits with all of these items in from travel retailers.

Interestingly, if you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, in Spain and France it is now considered best practice to carry a spare pair if you are driving.

Sat nav no-nos

It’s illegal in most EU countries to have equipment that searches for mobile speed cameras. Also, if your sat nav displays fixed speed camera locations, this is illegal in some countries, for example in France and Germany. Dash cams are also illegal in some EU countries, so do check before travelling if you use one for your car.

Emission zone stickers

Some major cities such as Paris and Madrid have low emission zones and require you to display a sticker, which you might want to apply for first before you set off. Have a look at this website which tells you about the different schemes in place per country.

Hopefully that is helpful! We will do an article on the new pet passport rules as soon as we can, so watch this space…

Disclaimer: This is for information only. We’ve taken every care to ensure that the information within this article is correct, but please make sure to keep up to date with the legislation and guidance on these topics as things could change.