European breakdown cover

We also cover the offshore islands of all the countries within this zone.

We also cover the offshore islands of the countries within this zone, with the exception of Ceuta, Melilla or the Canary Islands (Spanish off-shore Islands).

We also cover the offshore islands of all the countries within this zone.

Having European breakdown cover means you won’t be left stranded if your car breaks down abroad. We can repair your vehicle at the side of the road, or help you find a local garage if needed. If you don't have cover, you may find it more difficult to get help if you have car trouble while you're away.

European breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement but it’s important to have cover if you’re driving abroad. If you break down without cover, getting help can be expensive.

With European breakdown cover, you’ll have an English-speaking person on the phone 24/7, who can arrange everything for you. And you’ll be covered for some or all costs for roadside assistance and garage labour, depending on what cover you pick.

Read more about driving abroad and why it’s important to take out European breakdown cover before travelling.

The RAC offer flexible options to suit your budget. ‘Comprehensive’ is our cheapest level of cover. The longer you go away for, the more your cover will cost. The price of your cover will also vary depending on how old your car is.

It’s worth knowing that single trip cover is cheaper than annual cover, as it only covers you for a one-off trip abroad. But if you travel to Europe regularly, annual cover can provide better value for money.

Yes, as cover is available on a single trip basis.

The RAC has two different policies, so you can compare European breakdown cover against providers such as the AA and Green Flag.

Our RAC Comprehensive Plus policy also has a Defaqto Five Star rating. Enjoy complete peace of mind with emergency European Roadside Assistance and repair from the RAC. Our Comprehensive Plus cover also includes a contribution towards garage labour costs as up to £1,000, provided repairs are completed the same day.

With both Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus, you’ll have pre-departure cover in the UK before you leave for Europe. This means you can get roadside assistance before your trip and a hire car to get to Europe if needed.

What you’re covered for depends on the level of cover you choose:

No. If you haven’t added European breakdown cover to your policy, your standard RAC Breakdown Cover policy will only cover you in the UK.

If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking your policy documents to see exactly what’s included in your cover. You can also log in to myRAC to check your cover.

If you break down abroad without European breakdown cover, we won’t be able to help you. That’s why it’s important to get European breakdown cover before you leave the UK.

Without it, you’d need to find a recovery company and a garage yourself, which can be hard if you don’t know the area or speak the language. You’ll also have to pay all recovery and repair costs yourself, which can be even more expensive if your vehicle can’t be fixed, and you need to get you and your vehicle home.

Some car insurance policies will cover you for a number of days driving in Europe, but it depends on your insurance provider. You should always check your car insurance policy documents before starting any trip to ensure you have the right cover in place.

You could choose to purchase a comprehensive short-term insurance policy and add additional European cover. Tailor your policy for up to 30 days of cover, purchase online, and you’ll be covered to drive almost instantly.

Read more about our temporary car insurance.

RAC European Breakdown Cover is separate from your UK membership, so you don’t need to be an RAC member to get it. But if you are an RAC member, you can access all your policy documents and details for your European cover through your normal myRAC account, and in the myRAC app.

You can drive a UK car in Europe, but you need to have the right insurance, documentation, and car equipment to make sure you’re following the correct driving rules.

You’ll need:

You may need:

While your right-hand drive vehicle will not be a problem, if you don’t have the correct legally required items, you may face a penalty. So be sure to check the local rules before you travel.

If your vehicle breaks down when you’re travelling in Europe, there’s no need to panic:

Pull over safely. Make sure you’re away from traffic or on the hard shoulder.
Get out of your vehicle. Keep a safe distance from moving traffic.
Call for assistance. Tell us your location and we’ll talk you through what happens next.

Even if you have UK breakdown cover in place, you probably won’t be covered for European roadside assistance abroad. By taking out breakdown cover before you drive to Europe, you’ll have access to roadside assistance abroad, onward travel services and help towards legal fees if you do have an issue during your trip.

Also, pair the stress of an incident with a language you may not be fluent in, and a lack of understanding of local road rules and regulations. If you do break down while you’re away, you’ll want European breakdown cover for complete peace of mind.

Read more about driving abroad and why you should take out European breakdown cover before travelling.

Our European breakdown cover isn’t just for cars. We also cover motorhomes, campervans, minibuses (no more than 17 seats), vehicles towing caravans or trailers, motorcycles (121cc or over) and vans. They must be:

Read more about driving in the EU post-Brexit

If you’ve bought online you’ll receive your documents via email soon after your purchase.

If you’ve requested paper documents these should arrive within 5 working days. You’ll also receive them through myRAC.

Please remember you need to be in the UK when you buy. See our European Breakdown Cover T&Cs.

Yes, but you’ll need to be in the UK when you buy online. You’ll receive your documents by email, soon after for easy access to them.

If you’re already abroad, you can’t buy European breakdown cover.

Get your European Breakdown quote now!

Yes, travel to the Republic of Ireland is included in Zone 1 which is our cheapest zone.

The RAC provide breakdown cover for the UK and 48 other countries in Europe only.

See our list of countries.

Luggage, personal items, goods and bicycles are not covered by your policy, including when travelling in a recovery or replacement vehicle.

These are your responsibility and must be covered on other types of insurance such as personal travel insurance.

Most of the time we can help but French motorways are privately managed so you’ll be rescued initially by them.

We recommend, if possible, to leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area if you start to hear or feel a problem with your vehicle.

If this isn’t possible pull onto the hard shoulder close to the verge, with your wheels turned into the verge and close to an emergency phone if possible.

If your vehicle breaks down on a motorway, follow these steps to keep safe:

With up to 18 languages spoken in our European contact centre we’re well equipped to help translate in European breakdown situations.

Depending on your level of cover we’ll also help with:

24 hours a day, every day of the year.

We also have technical experts on hand during normal workings hours to help you where we can.

It’ll depend on your cover level...

RAC Comprehensive single trip and Annual Cover

RAC Comprehensive single trip

Some countries still recognise the UK Blue Badge:

Most other countries have informally agreed to recognise it, but you’ll need to check local parking laws before travelling.

Some countries provide notices in the local language you can display next to your blue badge. You can find these here.

You’ll need European breakdown cover if you take your car anywhere in Europe that isn’t the UK.

You may find it’s already covered in your policy so make sure you check it before heading off.

If you’re not covered in the rest of Europe you can buy standalone European breakdown cover or you may be able to add it to your UK breakdown policy – just check your cover level details within myRAC.

RAC European Breakdown Cover prices vary depending on the level of cover you choose and your travel circumstances such as:

For example, if you’re travelling a few times a year it might be cheaper to get annual cover and add it to your existing UK Breakdown Cover.

If you don’t have UK Breakdown Cover head to our Europe page to get a European breakdown quote. You can find more details on our Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus cover levels here.

If you do have UK Breakdown Cover and want to add European Rescue please call 0330 159 1111.

If you’re travelling with more than 9 people you’ll need to call us for a quote on 0330 159 1111.

Our RAC vans don’t operate in Europe. Instead you’ll be helped by the external service providers and partners we work with.

This depends on your cover level…

Single trip

Annual

To qualify for RAC European Breakdown Cover your vehicle must:

If your vehicle, motorhome, caravan or trailer is outside these dimensions take a look at our Arrival Breakdown Membership which covers any size vehicle.

Cover only valid when the journey starts from and returns to the UK.

For a full list of vehicle restrictions for RAC European Breakdown Cover, please see our T&Cs.

RAC European Breakdown Cover allows 9 people, including the driver to travel as standard, if the vehicle allows it.

You’ll need to ask for additional cover if you have more than 9 people travelling.

If your vehicle breaks down, we may need to organise more than one recovery vehicle, taxi or hire car if it’s within your policy limits.