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Car Rental in Spain
Spain is much more than the beach outside your hotel. Carenzzo compares local car rental companies at Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, and island airports, helping you find the best price and book online in minutes. Deposits, insurance, and rental conditions are clearly displayed before payment.
Cities
Cities: Spain
All cities with built-in car search. Each page has a ready search, prices by class and rental terms.
Islands
Islands: Spain
Major islands with their own hub — all the island's cities and the built-in car search on a single page.
MA
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Mallorca
3 cities
GR
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Gran Canaria
2 cities
ME
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Menorca
1 city
LA
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Lanzarote
1 city
IB
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Ibiza
2 cities
Terms
Rental terms in Spain
The basic rules of most rental providers in the country. Exact terms of a specific offer are shown in the city search before payment.
- Driver age — from 21 years.
- Driving experience — from 2 years.
- Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge.
- Fuel policy: “full-to-full”.
- Cross-border travel to France, PT and AD — by prior arrangement at booking.
- Basic insurance (CDW/TP) is included in the price.
- A Full CDW package reduces the excess to zero.
- A deposit (~500 EUR) is held on the driver’s card.
- National driving licence.
- Driver’s passport.
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — if your licence is not in Latin script.
- A bank card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
On the road
Driving rules in Spain
A driver’s guide for the country — common traveler questions: currency, fuel, speed limits, toll roads.
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 50 city · 90 rural · 120 motorway (km/h) |
| Blood alcohol limit | up to 0.5 ‰ |
| Daytime headlights | not required |
| Vignette (toll roads) | not required |
Traffic rules: Spain
- Drive on the right and follow standard European traffic rules.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas (30 km/h on narrow one-way streets), 90 km/h on rural roads, and up to 120 km/h on motorways (autovías and autopistas).
- Low beam headlights are required in tunnels, during rain, and in poor visibility.
- The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%; for drivers with less than two years of experience, it is 0.03%.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, including those in the rear seats.
- Children under 135 cm in height must use an appropriate child seat. Front-seat travel is generally permitted from the age of 12.
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free system. Holding a phone while driving can result in a fine of around €500. Headphones are prohibited.
- There is no vignette system. Some motorways (autopistas de peaje) are tolled, with payment by card or cash.
- Major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona have Low Emission Zones (ZBE). Rental cars usually carry the required DGT environmental sticker, but it is worth confirming before booking.
- Winter tyres are not mandatory, but snow chains or winter tyres may be required in mountainous areas such as the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada when road signs indicate.
- Speed cameras often enforce limits with very little tolerance (around 3–5 km/h over the limit). Fines are paid online or through a bank—not to police officers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Spain
License, deposit, border crossing, driver age and toll roads.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Spain?
If your driving licence is issued in the Latin alphabet, your national licence and passport are usually sufficient. If it is issued in Cyrillic or another non-Latin script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. Some rental companies request an IDP regardless, so obtaining one before travelling is recommended.
What is the minimum age for renting a car?
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old with a minimum of two years of driving experience. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge, and premium vehicles are often available only from the age of 25.
Is a security deposit required?
A deposit is usually blocked on a payment card (typically €300–800). Many local rental companies also offer no-deposit options, which can be filtered during your search.
Where can I pick up and return the car?
The most common locations are Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, and Palma de Mallorca airports, as well as city centres and popular resorts. Cars are usually returned to the same location.
Can I drive to neighbouring countries?
Travel to France, Portugal, and Andorra is usually possible with prior approval during booking. Some companies may require additional Green Card insurance. Cars rented on the Canary or Balearic Islands cannot be taken abroad.
Which insurance should I choose?
Basic CDW/TP insurance is included. Full CDW with zero excess covers minor damage and often allows you to rent without a deposit.
What is the fuel policy?
Most rentals operate on a full-to-full policy.
What should I know about toll roads and city driving?
Spain does not use vignettes, but some motorways are tolled. Major cities also have Low Emission Zones (ZBE), and rental cars are usually equipped with the required DGT environmental sticker.
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