Although this species has been treated as distinct from Lacerta viridis for several decades, the systematics of the Lacerta bilineata-Lacerta viridis complex remain unresolved and specific status for L. bilineata is only weakly supported by genetic data (Amann et al. 1997, Mayer and Beyerlein 2002, Speybroeck et al. 2020). No contact zone appears to exist between the two nominal forms, however, and the extent of any ongoing gene flow is unclear (Speybroeck et al. 2020). As such these authors do not propose any taxonomic changes at this stage.

Global and European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

This European endemic species is assessed as Least Concern both globally and for the European Union in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category.

This species is naturally endemic to Europe. Most of its range lies within the European Union, where it occurs in most of France (except parts of the northeast), western and southwestern Germany (in subpopulations isolated from the main range), Monaco, most of Italy (including the offshore islands Elba and Sicily), (Brückner et al. 2001, Speybroeck et al. 2020), southern Austria, and northern Spain. Elsewhere it occurs in southwestern and southern Switzerland, and in Jersey and Guernsey (the latter an introduction) in the Channel Islands. An introduced population was discovered in Boscombe cliffs, Dorset, United Kingdom, in 2002; this population has since become established and has the potential to expand further along England's south coast (Mole 2010). It is present from sea level up to 2,160 m asl (but usually below 1,400 m - Speybroeck et al. 2016). A disjunct, likely introduced, subpopulation is known from Cres (Croatia)

An extinct, isolated subpopulation in Crimea (to which it was likely to have been introduced by Genoese colonists in the medieval period) described as the subspecies Lacerta viridis magnifica is now understood to have represented L. bilineata (Kehlmaier et al. 2020). Speybroeck et al. (2016) reports that records from northwest Croatia to Slovenia represent confusion with L. viridis,

The species has been introduced to Kansas in the United States.

It can be a common species. In Germany, it is very rare with predominantly isolated subpopulations considered to be undergoing a long-term strong decline (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). Declines were pronounced in this country between the 1960s and 1980s, with several recorded local extinctions, and a slower decline is believed to be ongoing at present (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). Surveys of the three major distribution centres in the Rhineland-Palatinate area between 2011 and 2015-2016 found evidence of "significant" decline; conversely, the species has recolonised areas of the Kaiserstuhl following the creation of an embankment and presently appears to be stable or increasing in this area (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). Subpopulations may be locally declining, especially in the north of the species' range. It was considered abundant in lowland areas of northern Italy until "a few decades ago", but is now locally threatened in this area (Luppi et al. 2020). Rugiero et al. (2021) found that densities were approximately five times higher in a study subpopulation in France than in northern Italy. Guiller et al. (in press) found that the species' occupancy (measured in 250 x 250 m cells) in an area of western France declined by 74% over a 15-year period between surveys in 1994-1997 and those in 2012-2015. In Switzerland, a slight decline (-17.6%) was reported in the Red List of 2005 (Monney and Meyer 2005), whereas a stable population has been observed since (OFEV and info fauna 2023).

This species occurs in a variety of habitats, but appears to exhibit more "generalistic" tendencies towards the south of the range (Speybroeck et al. 2016). It is usually found in damp areas with dense vegetation and warm basking opportunities (Speybroeck et al. 2016). Preferred habitats range from south-facing vineyards and forest edges in the north of the range to open woodland, shrubland, overgrown fields and gardens, and hedgerows further south (Speybroeck et al. 2016). In the Rhineland-Palatinate area in Mediterranean Germany it occurs along dry, exposed southern slopes of river valleys (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). It is also found at woodland edges, and close to fences and hedges in traditionally cultivated land. It is an egg-laying species, with females laying one or two clutches of 5-23 eggs in May or June and hatchlings emerging in August in September (Speybroeck et al. 2016). Habitat suitability modelling in Italy suggests that animals select microhabitats with access to both good shrub cover used as shelter sites and rocks for basking, and that animals avoid bare soil (Luppi et al. 2020). Juveniles have been found to occur at higher frequency than adults in grassland (Rugiero et al. 2021). A maximum age of 13 years has been recorded in captivity, but its longevity in the wild is unknown (Bannert 1998, Jesus 2012).

It is threatened by habitat loss through the loss of suitable habitat to intensive cultivation, overstocking of cattle, burning of scrubland and groves, and pesticide contamination. The application of pesticides has "greatly reduced" the populations of insects in intensively farmed areas of northern Italy, and Luppi et al. (2020) attribute declines in the lizard to the loss of insect prey as well as the destruction of its habitat. The causes of decline in the subpopulation studied by Guiller et al. (in press) are not clear from the variables included in their model, although they "appeared related to hedgerow loss" and the species was more frequently found in sites with dense hedgerows. It is also possible this species was already in decline at the start of the survey period following the loss of previously favourable habitat (Guiller et al. in press). Clearance of vineyards and river widening, the latter associated with the removal of embankments, dry stone walls and other key habitat structure, is the main threat in Germany and was most pronounced between the 1960s and 1980s (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). In the Rhineland-Palatinate region the population has recently undergone decline due to these factors as well as increasing hillside development for tourist and urban facilities, and the further isolation of these small subpopulations due to development activities and construction of noise barriers along railway lines (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020).

There is unlikely to be any significant use of or trade in this species.

It is listed on Annex II of the Bern Convention and Appendix IV of the EU Habitats Directive (in both under the name Lacerta viridis) and is present in a number of protected areas. It is listed as "Highly threatened" in the German Red List (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). Protection measures of German subpopulations should include taking the species' needs into account during railway maintenance, promoting small-plot terraced viticulture, and awareness-raising of the species' needs in tourist areas (Rote-Liste-Gremium Amphibien und Reptilien 2020). It is protected by national legislation in Switzerland. Taxonomic research is needed to clarify the systematics of this species complex.