Car Rental in Europe: What to Know Before You Rent

Car rental in Europe is easy to arrange, but the rules change from country to country. To rent a car in Europe, you usually need a valid driver's license (sometimes with an International Driving Permit), a passport or ID card, a bank card for the deposit, and you must meet the company's minimum age, which is most often 21. The biggest differences are in deposits, insurance excess, cross-border rules and one-way fees.

Below we explain how renting a car in Europe works in 2026-2027: which companies operate where, what local providers in Eastern Europe offer, how much a rental costs and which mistakes lead to extra charges. We also share the real conditions of Getmancar car rental in Romania, Moldova, Cyprus, Ukraine and Germany.

What you need to rent a car in Europe

Requirements look similar across the continent. Before you book, check four things:

• Driver's license. A valid national license, usually held for at least 1–2 years. If your license was issued outside the EU, many companies and some countries also ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Passport or ID card. The name must match the license and the booking.
• Bank card for the deposit. International brands usually require a credit card in the main driver's name. Some local companies accept debit cards.
• Minimum age. Usually 21. Drivers under 25 often pay a young driver fee, and some companies also set an upper age limit.

Here is how these requirements look at Getmancar in different European countries:

Rules depend on the company and the country, so always read the rental terms before you pay.

How the car rental market in Europe works

The European car rental market is built around a few international brands – Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Budget and Enterprise – with desks at almost every major airport. Next to them work strong national players: Sicily by Car and Maggiore in Italy, Goldcar, Centauro and Record Go in Spain, Buchbinder in Germany, Autonom and Klass Wagen in Romania. Comparison sites such as Rentalcars, Kayak and Expedia show offers from many of them in one search.

Over the last twenty years, the process has moved online. Paper forms and long queues at airport desks gave way to online check-in, key boxes and fully digital services such as Virtuo (France, Spain) and UFODrive (Germany, the Netherlands), where you open the car with your phone. Today, all these formats work side by side, and travelers choose by route and budget.

International brands vs local companies in Eastern Europe

Big brands give you a wide network, one-way options and clear cross-border rules. Local companies in Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries often win on price and flexibility: lower deposits, debit cards accepted, delivery to the airport or hotel. The trade-off is usually a smaller network and stricter limits on driving abroad.

• Choose an international brand if you plan a multi-country trip or need to return the car in another country.
• Choose a local company if you stay in one country, want a lower deposit, pay with a debit card or need the car delivered.

Getmancar is one of the newer services that started in Eastern Europe. Today it rents cars in Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Germany and Cyprus, as well as in Georgia, Qatar and Egypt.

Car rental in Europe between countries and one-way rentals

Can you rent a car in one country and drive it to another? Inside the EU it is often possible, but only with the rental company's permission. Most companies charge a cross-border fee or ask for extra insurance, and many restrict trips to non-EU countries or for certain car classes, especially premium cars.

One-way rentals, when you pick up the car in one place and return it in another, are easiest with companies that have a large network. An international drop-off fee can be significant, while one-way trips within one country usually cost less.

Never cross a border without written permission. Insurance may stop working, and the company can fine you and keep the deposit.

Getmancar rules for travel abroad and one-way rentals:

• Berlin: trips to EU countries are allowed with additional insurance added at booking. Returning the car at another location costs from 150 €, depending on distance.
• Bucharest: driving outside Romania is not allowed, and the penalty is a fine plus loss of the deposit. The car is returned in the city where it was rented.
• Chișinău: leaving Moldova is not allowed, and permits for travel abroad are not issued.
• Kyiv: one-way rental is available in Lviv and Dnipro.

Insurance, deposit and excess

In the EU, third-party liability insurance is mandatory, so it is part of every rental price. What varies is the protection for the rental car itself:

• CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) limits what you pay for damage to the car, down to the excess amount.
• Theft protection works the same way in case of theft.
• Excess (deductible) is the maximum you pay if the car is damaged. It is often close to the deposit amount.
• Zero excess (full coverage) reduces the excess to zero, but often excludes glass, tires and the underbody.

The deposit is blocked or paid at pickup and returned after the car comes back without damage. With Getmancar, the deposit in Bucharest is usually 300–500 €, and in Chișinău about 100–150 € for economy cars and up to 500 € for more expensive models. In Berlin, Kyiv and Larnaca, the amount depends on the car and the insurance option; in Berlin and Kyiv, a no-deposit option is available with extra insurance.

Take photos and a short video of the car at pickup and at return, including the fuel gauge and mileage. This is the simplest way to avoid disputes about damage.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Europe

Prices depend on the season, car class, rental length and how early you book. Here are the lowest daily prices listed on getmancar.com in October 2026:

Mileage: unlimited in Bucharest, and 250 km per day are included in Larnaca.

The final price also depends on:

• rental length: the longer the rental, the lower the daily rate;
• season: in summer, demand and prices rise noticeably in Prague, on the coasts of Spain and Portugal, and in Cyprus;
• delivery and time: delivery to the airport or an address is often paid separately, and in Bucharest pickup or return outside 9:00–20:00 costs an extra 15 €;
• extras: fuel, tolls, optional insurance, child seats and fines are usually not included in the price.

All prices are shown in euros, as on getmancar.com with the EUR currency selected. In Romania, Moldova and Ukraine the base price is set in local currency, so the euro amount may change slightly with the exchange rate. The exact cost is shown at booking.

Car rental in Europe's major cities

Each city has its own traffic habits, parking rules and mix of rental brands. Here is what to expect in the main European hubs.

Paris

Paris has Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and the fully digital Virtuo. Driving in the center is not easy because of narrow streets, roadworks and limited parking. That is why most travelers rent a car for trips outside the city: the Loire Valley, Normandy, Reims, Dijon or Orléans. The most convenient pickup points are CDG (Charles de Gaulle) and Orly airports, with large parking areas and quick access to highways.

Berlin

Berlin is a large, spread-out city. Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise and the local Buchbinder operate here. Since BER airport opened, pickup has become more organized: multi-level parking, rental desks close to each other and a quick exit to the Berliner Ring. Fast autobahns connect Berlin with Dresden, Leipzig, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Poland, and many gas stations work in self-service mode 24/7.

Car rental in Berlin with Getmancar starts from 55 € per day for a Chevrolet Spark. Mandatory insurance is included, and trips to EU countries are possible with additional insurance.

Rome

Italy has one of the most active rental markets in Europe, and Rome has its own catch: ZTL zones. These are restricted areas in the historic center that you can enter only with a permit. Cameras record license plates, and fines arrive almost every time. That is why travelers usually pick up the car at Fiumicino (FCO) or Ciampino (CIA) airports. A compact car is a must here: parking spaces in central Rome were designed for cars the size of a Fiat 500. Europcar, Sicily by Car, Maggiore, Hertz, Budget, Avis and Sixt all work in the city.

Madrid and Barcelona

Spain is one of the most competitive markets in Europe, with Goldcar, Centauro, Record Go, Firefly, Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise, Avis and Budget. Budget brands are very common, but their terms are stricter: higher deposits, tighter fuel policies and limited insurance. At Madrid Barajas, rental desks are split between terminals. From Barcelona El Prat, travelers usually head along the coast to the Costa Brava, Girona and Tarragona.

London

London is served by Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and Green Motion. Two city rules shape rental habits: the ULEZ low-emission zone and the Congestion Charge for driving into the center. That is why most visitors rent at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton airports. Keep in mind that the UK is not part of the EU, so taking a rental car to the continent needs separate permission from the company.

Bucharest

Bucharest is one of the most affordable places for car rental in Eastern Europe, especially if you plan a road trip to the Carpathians: Sinaia, Brașov, Azuga and Bran. At Henri Coandă (OTP) airport, you will find Autonom, Klass Wagen, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Enterprise and Flexicar Romania. Some companies keep their offices outside the terminal and run free shuttle vans to the parking lot. This setup is common in Romania, Spain and Portugal.

Car rental in Bucharest with Getmancar starts from 33 € per day, with unlimited mileage and delivery to Otopeni airport. The deposit is usually 300–500 €, and it can be paid with a Visa or Mastercard debit card.

Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam and Lisbon

• Vienna: Europcar, Sixt and Megadrive. Trips to neighboring countries are usually allowed, but premium cars may have restrictions.
• Prague: Rent Plus, Sixt, Europcar and Avis. In summer, demand grows and prices rise.
• Amsterdam: the best pickup point is Schiphol airport, as the center has narrow streets and very little parking.
• Lisbon: strong local providers are Guerin and Drive on Holidays. Travelers usually rent a car for the coast and trips south to the Algarve.

Car rental in Moldova, Ukraine and Cyprus

These countries are less covered by big brands, so local services play a bigger role here.

Moldova

Car rental in Chișinău with Getmancar is available from the age of 18, with any driving experience. Prices start from 24 € per day, and the fleet includes electric cars such as the Wuling Bingo EV and BYD Sealion 06. The deposit for economy cars is about 100–150 €. Foreign tourists need an International Driving Permit, and the car cannot leave Moldova. You can pay by card, in cash or at the office, and the car can be delivered to the airport for an extra fee.

Ukraine

Car rental in Kyiv starts from 18 € per day for an automatic Ravon R2. Drivers must be at least 18 and hold a category B license, and foreign drivers need an International Driving Permit. Getmancar also rents cars in Lviv and Dnipro, where one-way rental is available.

Cyprus

Cyprus drives on the left, and public transport between the cities is limited, so a car is the easiest way to get around. In Larnaca, Getmancar offers automatic cars from 43 € per day, with insurance and 250 km per day included. Drivers must be at least 21 with 2 years of experience, and an International Driving Permit is recommended. The car can be delivered to Larnaca airport or another address.

Where it is best to pick up a car

• Airports are usually the best choice: the widest choice of cars and quick access to highways.
• City centers are often more expensive and harder to navigate because of parking.
• Train stations are a good compromise: Berlin Hbf, Roma Termini, Madrid Atocha, Gare de Lyon.

Common mistakes when renting a car in Europe

1. Entering ZTL zones in Italy without a permit.
2. Crossing a border without the rental company's permission.
3. Skipping the inspection at pickup and not taking photos of the car.
4. Returning the car with less fuel than at pickup.
5. Dropping the car off at night with no joint inspection.
6. Choosing a car that is too large for historic city centers.
7. Forgetting about vignettes and tolls: check whether the rental car already has a vignette for the country and for any country you plan to enter.
8. Returning the car late, which is often charged as an extra full day.

Car rental in Europe gives you the freedom to plan your route at your own pace, especially outside the big cities. Compare not only the daily price but also the deposit, excess, cross-border rules and one-way fees, and the trip will go without surprises.

FAQ about car rental in Europe