European breakdown cover

Cover for the continent

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Peace of mind while you’re abroad

Get roadside assistance and vehicle recovery in Europe

Enjoy the ride, no matter your motor

Compare cover for cars, vans, motorbikes and scooters

Ensure you’re getting the right cover

Discover what policies typically do and don't include

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What is European breakdown cover?

European breakdown cover is a roadside assistance and recovery service designed to cover you while you’re driving in Europe. It can help you get your car fixed or towed to the nearest garage if you break down while driving on holiday.

Typically, European car breakdown cover includes an English-speaking helpline you can call, 24 hours a day, to help you navigate any language barriers.

It can also help you get home if the problem persists and your car needs to be repaired back in the UK. It can take care of the expenses of getting your car and passengers back home safely, too.

Europe breakdown cover isn’t included as standard with car insurance. That means that if you want breakdown cover in Europe, you may need to add it on to your existing car insurance or take out a standalone policy.

What does European breakdown cover include?

Typically covered

  • Roadside assistance
– your provider will send someone to try to fix your car by the side of the road. If this isn’t possible, it will be taken to a nearby garage.

  • 24/7 assistance – gives you anytime access to support and recovery, preventing you from being stranded overnight.

  • Home start
– in case your car breaks down before you set off on your trip.

  • Onward travel costs
– to enable you to continue your journey if your car breaks down. Some policies provide a replacement car while yours is at the garage. Others may reimburse you for the cost of travelling on public transport. Some even cover accommodation costs.

  • Vehicle repatriation
– to cover all or some of the costs of returning your car to the UK if it can’t be fixed. Some policies may also cover the costs of getting you and your passengers back to the UK. 

  • Garage labour costs
– some providers may pay out up to a set amount to cover a mechanic fixing your car at a garage abroad. Some providers may require you to add it on to your policy as optional parts and labour cover.

  • Misfuelling
– cover to get you to a local garage if you mistakenly put diesel in a petrol car or vice versa. Check the policy to see if it also covers the cost of draining your tank and flushing your vehicle.

  • Lost keys
– if you lose or break your keys, you may be covered for roadside assistance to help you get in your car and sort a replacement.

Typically not covered

  • Non-emergency repairs
– cover may include roadside repairs and not the cost of repairs at a local garage.

  • Replacement parts
– typically excluded unless you’ve chosen to add parts and labour to your policy.

  • Vehicles over a certain age
– check the policy before you buy.

Did you know?

Some providers include a 7-day waiting period before your European breakdown cover becomes active. That means if you buy it too close to your planned departure, you might not be covered.

What to consider when taking out European breakdown cover

To make sure you have adequate breakdown cover for Europe, check the following: Are you covered for the countries you want to visit and the length of your trip?

  • Are there any limits on the number of callouts?

  • Will you get a hire car and accommodation while your vehicle is being repaired?

  • What’s covered in terms of onward travel if you can’t continue your journey?

  • Are you covered to take your caravan or trailer?

  • What’s the maximum amount you can claim for repairs?

  • Are you covered for mistakes such as misfuelling and lost keys?

  • Are you covered if you’re driving to Europe for business purposes?

How much does European breakdown cover cost?

The cost of European breakdown cover depends on:
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How long you’re away

The longer the trip, the greater the chance of a break down.

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Your vehicle

The age and likelihood of it breaking down, plus different repair and replacement part costs.

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The level of cover you want

Generally speaking, the higher the level of cover, the more expensive the policy.

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Where you’re going

Different cover levels may include more countries than others. Don’t assume that a policy covers all of Europe. Check that it covers your destination.

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Any add-ons you choose

Adding optional extras, such as parts and labour cover, can help protect you from a big bill if something goes seriously wrong with your vehicle. But it could also bump up your premium.

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Your breakdown provider

Different providers offer different levels of cover at varying prices. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around and compare European breakdown cover.

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Why do I need breakdown cover in Europe?

If you break down in Europe without the right cover, you’ll need to pay for repairs and callouts.

And you’ll have to organise everything yourself, in a country where you might not understand the language very well.

Add on the unfamiliar rules of the road and a lack of local knowledge, and breaking down overseas becomes even more stressful than it would be on home turf.

So if you’re off to Europe for business or pleasure, it makes sense to be on the safe side and opt for EU breakdown cover.

What type of European breakdown cover do I need?

Depending on how often you’ll be driving in Europe, you can either buy single-trip breakdown cover or multi-trip cover. You can typically find both for cars, , motorhomes and .

Single trip breakdown cover

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    Covers you for a one-off return journey to European destinations

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    Could cover Europe trips from one day up to a maximum of 90 or 180 days

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    Also includes cover in the UK, for when you're leaving and returning home

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    If you’re only planning one or maybe two short trips to Europe this year, single-trip European breakdown cover could work out cheaper than an annual policy

Annual breakdown cover

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    Covers you for unlimited journeys to Europe in a year

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    Typically covers you for a limited time per trip, often between 30 to 90 days, but sometimes more

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    Also includes nationwide cover in the UK for the outward and return journeys

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    Could work out cheaper than separate policies for each trip

Before you buy, make sure you don’t already have breakdown cover elsewhere. It’s sometimes offered as part of your car insurance or a packaged bank account.

Which countries are covered by European breakdown cover?

In most cases, you’ll be covered for between 38 and 48 European countries, and not just European Economic Area (EEA) members.

Some providers divide the countries they cover into zones. But be aware that the zones can vary between providers.

European countries typically covered

  • Albania

  • Andorra

  • Austria

  • Belarus

  • Belgium

  • Bosnia & Herzegovina

  • Bulgaria

  • Croatia

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Hungary

  • Iceland

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Latvia

  • Liechtenstein

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Malta

  • Moldova

  • Monaco

  • Montenegro

  • Netherlands

  • North Macedonia

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Russia

  • San Marino

  • Serbia

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Ukraine

  • United Kingdom

  • Vatican City

Some providers may also cover

  • Azerbaijan

  • Cyprus

  • Georgia

  • Gibraltar

  • Iceland

  • Kosovo

  • Russia

  • Tunisia

  • Turkey

Check your policy details to make sure you’re covered for any countries you travel through on the way to and from your European destination.

What you need to drive in Europe: our checklist

To make sure your journey goes off without a hitch, here are a few essentials you’ll need to bring with you.

Your vehicle’s V5C log book

A valid full UK driving licence

Proof of valid UK car insurance

A UK sticker

European breakdown cover policy details

Did you know?

You’ll need to get a Crit’Air sticker to drive in several large cities in France. Depending on the emission levels of your car, you may not be permitted to drive in designated clean air zones.

What do I need to get a quote?

To get a quote for European breakdown cover, you need to give us a few details, including:

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The dates you want your cover to start

And the date you want your cover to end for a single-trip policy

Details of your vehicle

Including age, registration, manufacturer and model

Personal details

Including your name and address

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More advice on breakdown cover

See our helpful guides to find the right breakdown cover and stay safe while driving

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See our breakdown cover guides

FAQs

Is European breakdown cover already included in my policy?

UK breakdown cover doesn’t typically include European cover as standard. But you may be able to add it on to your UK breakdown cover or your car insurance policy for an extra cost.

But before you go ahead with that, it’s worth comparing standalone European breakdown insurance policies to make sure you’ll be getting the cover you need at the right price.

Can I get one-off breakdown cover for a holiday?

Yes, you can get European breakdown cover for a single trip. You could even get a single-trip policy for as little as a day, so you can really tailor cover to fit your trip.

European breakdown cover is usually available for all of Europe, or for driving in certain zones, each made up of multiple countries. This means you won’t typically be able to get cover for just the country you’re travelling to.

Will my European breakdown policy cover me to drive in the UK?

Many European breakdown policies include cover in the UK for your journey to and from continental Europe. However, it depends on the type of European breakdown policy you get. If you want a breakdown policy to cover you for regular journeys in the UK, you’ll normally need either a UK-specific breakdown cover policy or a combined policy.

Will European breakdown cover get my car back to the UK?

Often, yes. ‘Vehicle repatriation’ is commonly included with car breakdown cover in Europe. It can cover some or all of the costs of bringing your car back to the UK if it can’t be fixed where you are on your travels.

While vehicle repatriation is often included, make sure you check whether repatriation is also covered for you and your passengers. Otherwise, it’ll only be the car that’s paid for.

Is breakdown cover the only insurance I need to check?

No, you need to check your main vehicle insurance policy too. Your UK car insurance will automatically cover you to drive within Europe, but it may only include the minimum third-party cover. And it may only cover you for a set number of days per trip.

It’s best to check what level of cover you have as you may want more comprehensive cover to protect you and your vehicle. And it's worth checking for any exclusions before setting off.

You won’t need a Green Card to drive in the EU and most European countries, but you do need to carry proof of your UK insurance with you.

You might also find that your policy requires your car to be serviced before you travel.

What happens if I break down without European Cover?

If your vehicle breaks down and you don’t have cover, your first step is to find a recovery company, then a reputable garage to repair your car.

You’ll have to pay all the charges to get your car towed. And in the worst-case scenario, you’ll also need to pay for your vehicle to be brought back to the UK (repatriated) – which can be very expensive.

Can I get short-term car insurance to cover me in Europe?

Yes, you can get temporary car insurance to cover you driving in Europe. This could be useful if you want comprehensive cover for driving in Europe, but you don’t want to change your existing policy.

You can also get temporary European breakdown cover, typically known as single-trip cover. This type of policy could be used as short-term European breakdown cover because it can be tailored to cover you for the length of your trip.

Will I need to speak the local language to get help?

Most European breakdown policies include a 24/7 English-speaking helpline and multi-lingual operators. They’ll organise the help you need, so you shouldn’t need to worry if you don’t speak the local language.

Can I get cover for a motorhome or caravan in Europe?

Some providers cover motorhomes and caravans under a certain weight and size. In most cases these must be:

  • A maximum weight GVM of 3.5 tonnes

  • Maximum overall dimensions of length 7m, height 3m, and width 2.3-2.55m.

You must tell your provider that you’ll be towing a caravan in Europe. Breakdown providers may tow your caravan as well as your car if it breaks down, some at no extra charge. However, it’s important to be aware of any restrictions.

A few providers offer dedicated motorhome and European caravan breakdown cover if you’re a member of a caravanning club, such as The Camping and Caravanning Club. These policies often have tailored benefits, such as no weight and size restrictions.

What happens if I have to return home before my car is fixed?

Some policies may cover the costs of getting your vehicle back to the UK if it can’t be fixed before your planned return.

Depending on the policy you choose, this may also include the use of a hire car and the costs of getting you and your passengers home.

If you choose vehicle and passenger repatriation, read the policy details before you buy. Cover and limits vary between breakdown insurance providers.

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What breakdown cover can I get in France?

You can get the same breakdown cover for France as you can for most other European countries. You can’t find breakdown cover for France alone.

However, if you choose to get cover from one of the Europe breakdown cover providers that separate countries into zones, you’ll likely find that France is in zone one.

As one of our closest neighbours, the potential costs for breakdown providers may be lower for zone one. For example, the cost to repatriate your vehicle from France is likely to be less than if you broke down in, say, Sweden.

That could mean that France breakdown cover is cheaper than for other zones, but it does depend on the policy and the provider.

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Amy Rootham
Reviewed 05 Jun 2026 by Amy Rootham Insurance expert

Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.