Updated june 20, 2024
What you need to know before renting a car in Europe
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
So you've decided to rent a car for your next vacation. You want to take in all the sites around your destination or take an epic road trip. Now that you've made that decision, though, what do you need to know beforehand?
Here's a rundown of the most important things to keep in mind when renting a car. These tips will help you avoid a headache when picking up the car or worse, not being able to get a rental car and having your plans ruined altogether.
Here's a rundown of the most important things to keep in mind when renting a car. These tips will help you avoid a headache when picking up the car or worse, not being able to get a rental car and having your plans ruined altogether.
What you need to know before renting a car in Europe
By Aleksandrs Buraks | Updated June 20, 2024
So you've decided to rent a car for your next vacation. You want to take in all the sites around your destination or take an epic road trip. Now that you've made that decision, though, what do you need to know beforehand?
Here's a rundown of the most important things to keep in mind when renting a car. These tips will help you avoid a headache when picking up the car or worse, not being able to get a rental car and having your plans ruined altogether.
Here's a rundown of the most important things to keep in mind when renting a car. These tips will help you avoid a headache when picking up the car or worse, not being able to get a rental car and having your plans ruined altogether.
Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards
Quite possibly the biggest thing that causes renters headaches is that many rental companies in Europe only accept credit cards, whereas many of the large American rental companies accept debit cards. Some rental companies accept debit cards but make the renter purchase additional insurance in such cases, which can end up being quite costly.
Renters should also be aware that American Express cards are often not accepted. Many, especially Americans, would prefer to use these if they have them due to the insurance coverage provided. Be sure to check before booking if you plan to use American Express.
Note for French renters: French cards are almost always debit cards. Unless the card specifically says credit, you can assume it is actually a debit card. Car rental companies throughout Europe, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, will likely not accept your debit card for leaving the security deposit and require that you purchase additional insurance that can be quite costly. Be sure to if at all possible obtain a credit card before traveling.
Renters should also be aware that American Express cards are often not accepted. Many, especially Americans, would prefer to use these if they have them due to the insurance coverage provided. Be sure to check before booking if you plan to use American Express.
Note for French renters: French cards are almost always debit cards. Unless the card specifically says credit, you can assume it is actually a debit card. Car rental companies throughout Europe, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, will likely not accept your debit card for leaving the security deposit and require that you purchase additional insurance that can be quite costly. Be sure to if at all possible obtain a credit card before traveling.
Required Additional Fees
Renters should be aware that there may be additional fees that are required otherwise they will not be able to pick up the car.
The most common of these fees is based on age. Drivers under the age of 25 and over the age of 70 are often charged an additional fee, usually per day up to a certain maximum. Rental companies see less experienced drivers as riskier, thus why these fees are charged. On our website, these fees are always included in the total price if you search using your actual age (or the age you will be when you pick up the car if you happen to be booking far in advance).
Even if you are between 25 and 70 years old, there are other fees that may be required, too.
The most common of these fees is based on age. Drivers under the age of 25 and over the age of 70 are often charged an additional fee, usually per day up to a certain maximum. Rental companies see less experienced drivers as riskier, thus why these fees are charged. On our website, these fees are always included in the total price if you search using your actual age (or the age you will be when you pick up the car if you happen to be booking far in advance).
Even if you are between 25 and 70 years old, there are other fees that may be required, too.
Crossing Borders
A common thing in Europe is to drive from one country to another, especially amongst the smaller countries (think the Netherlands and Belgium). Many plan road trips across multiple countries.
The good news is that many rental companies allow their cars to be taken to multiple countries. The bad news is that there are confusing fees that come along with this oftentimes and that there are restrictions on which countries you can take the vehicle.
A comprehensive overview of the fees and restrictions is just not possible. They differ from country to country, the destination that is intended to be traveled to, and from company to company.
If planning to travel from one EU country to another, then you most likely will be allowed to. Whether a fee will be charged depends on the company you choose, though. You can find this information in the Rental Conditions when booking.
Travel to non-EU countries from EU countries is more often not allowed.
International one-way rentals are possible in many cases, primarily between neighboring EU countries. But in addition to cross-border fees, renters have to pay an antinational one-way fee for this. And this one-way fee can be quite hefty. If you search using your prefered pick up and drop off points, you will see exactly what vehicles are avaialbe for such a trip along with the total price including any one-way fees.
The good news is that many rental companies allow their cars to be taken to multiple countries. The bad news is that there are confusing fees that come along with this oftentimes and that there are restrictions on which countries you can take the vehicle.
A comprehensive overview of the fees and restrictions is just not possible. They differ from country to country, the destination that is intended to be traveled to, and from company to company.
If planning to travel from one EU country to another, then you most likely will be allowed to. Whether a fee will be charged depends on the company you choose, though. You can find this information in the Rental Conditions when booking.
Travel to non-EU countries from EU countries is more often not allowed.
International one-way rentals are possible in many cases, primarily between neighboring EU countries. But in addition to cross-border fees, renters have to pay an antinational one-way fee for this. And this one-way fee can be quite hefty. If you search using your prefered pick up and drop off points, you will see exactly what vehicles are avaialbe for such a trip along with the total price including any one-way fees.
Insurance Options
One of the most confusing parts of renting a car anywhere is insurance. Do you need it? Should you purchase it when picking up the car or online in advance? Will your credit card cover the car? Will your car insurance cover the car?
In Europe, all rental cars come with a Collision Damage or Loss Damage Waiver. This means that your liability for the car (as long as you stick to the rules stipulated in the rental agreement, see below for more info) is limited to a certain deductible. This also means (if you use a credit card as mentioned above) that you are not obligated to purchase any additional coverage.
In Europe, the deductible on rental vehicles, though, can be quite high, sometimes being a few thousand euros. Therefore, many renters prefer additional coverage.
Note that your car insurance, no matter what country you are from, never covers rental cars in Europe.
Credit cards, on the other hand, particularly American ones, do often cover rental vehicles in Europe. Be sure to check your credit card policy in advance though.
If you don't have credit card coverage, you are left with two options. Purchasing insurance online when booking or at the rental desk.
Purchasing insurance online is almost always significantly cheaper, though it comes with the disadvantage that you have to pay the costs to the rental company and be reimbursed afterward. This process is simple and quick, though, and many renters find it to be worth the trade-off to save a significant amount of money.
In Europe, all rental cars come with a Collision Damage or Loss Damage Waiver. This means that your liability for the car (as long as you stick to the rules stipulated in the rental agreement, see below for more info) is limited to a certain deductible. This also means (if you use a credit card as mentioned above) that you are not obligated to purchase any additional coverage.
In Europe, the deductible on rental vehicles, though, can be quite high, sometimes being a few thousand euros. Therefore, many renters prefer additional coverage.
Note that your car insurance, no matter what country you are from, never covers rental cars in Europe.
Credit cards, on the other hand, particularly American ones, do often cover rental vehicles in Europe. Be sure to check your credit card policy in advance though.
If you don't have credit card coverage, you are left with two options. Purchasing insurance online when booking or at the rental desk.
Purchasing insurance online is almost always significantly cheaper, though it comes with the disadvantage that you have to pay the costs to the rental company and be reimbursed afterward. This process is simple and quick, though, and many renters find it to be worth the trade-off to save a significant amount of money.
Know the Rules
Rental cars come with a strict set of rules built into the rental contract concerning all things from who can drive the vehicle to where the vehicle can be driven. As a renter, you need to be aware of all of these to save yourself the hassle and potentially large fines from the rental company.
One particularly common rule is not being able to drive on unpaved roads. This may not be an issue in Western European countries, but more so in Eastern European countries or Icleand. And confusingly, having a 4x4 vehicle does not always negate this restriction — though, in Iceland it usually does with you being allowed to drive on the mountain roads (F roads) in the country.
The rules regarding fuel and how much you should return the car with are also often confusing. But don't worry, if you return the car with the amount of fuel it had when you received it, you should not be charged any additional fees. Just know that if you don't, you likely will be charged for refueling at a rate much higher than the current gas prices in the area.
Tip: Always try to find the nearest gas station to the airport when leaving it so that you will know where to fill up when returning the car.
Returning the car after the designated time can also end up costing you. Most rental companies have a grace period, usually, an hour, within which you can return the car without being charged extra. After that, you may have to pay per hour or for another day altogether.
Only people listed on the rental agreement are allowed to drive the vehicle. If someone else drives the car, then coverage can be voided, or even worse, law enforcement may become involved. Be sure to add any additional drivers to the contract in advance!
One particularly common rule is not being able to drive on unpaved roads. This may not be an issue in Western European countries, but more so in Eastern European countries or Icleand. And confusingly, having a 4x4 vehicle does not always negate this restriction — though, in Iceland it usually does with you being allowed to drive on the mountain roads (F roads) in the country.
The rules regarding fuel and how much you should return the car with are also often confusing. But don't worry, if you return the car with the amount of fuel it had when you received it, you should not be charged any additional fees. Just know that if you don't, you likely will be charged for refueling at a rate much higher than the current gas prices in the area.
Tip: Always try to find the nearest gas station to the airport when leaving it so that you will know where to fill up when returning the car.
Returning the car after the designated time can also end up costing you. Most rental companies have a grace period, usually, an hour, within which you can return the car without being charged extra. After that, you may have to pay per hour or for another day altogether.
Only people listed on the rental agreement are allowed to drive the vehicle. If someone else drives the car, then coverage can be voided, or even worse, law enforcement may become involved. Be sure to add any additional drivers to the contract in advance!
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.