Car hire guides for Spain
Eight practical guides covering the rules, documents and decisions before renting a car in Spain - what documents you need, the age rules, how to pay, what the insurance and the excess mean, what it costs, taking the car one-way or abroad, the driving rules, and whether a car is worth it at all. Start with whichever question is yours.
All guides
Each guide answers one question in full. Open the one you need.
Requirements & licence
Documents, licence rules for UK and US drivers, and what to bring to the desk.
Driver age limits
The minimum age, the young driver surcharge under 25, and the rules for over 70s.
Paying by card
Credit vs debit, how the deposit works, and renting with no credit card.
Insurance & excess
What is covered, zero-excess and full cover, and whether your card protects you.
Prices
Typical daily rates by season and class, the extras that add up, and how to pay less.
One-way & cross-border
One-way drop-offs and taking a Spanish rental into Portugal and beyond.
Driving in Spain
Speed limits, the new V16 beacon, tolls, low-emission zones and parking.
Is it worth it
When a hire car pays off, when transit is better, and whether it is safe.
Where to start
Still deciding whether to rent at all? Read is it worth it. Ready to book and want the lowest price? Start with prices and insurance. Worried about the credit card or a deposit? See paying by card. Driving across to Portugal or dropping the car in another city? That is one-way and cross-border. When you know what you need, pick a car type and compare the companies.