Spain Car Rental Guide 2024: Prices, Insurance, Scams

What You Need to Rent a Car in Spain

Renting a car in Spain is straightforward once you know the basics. Here’s what to have ready before you book.

Driving License Requirements

EU/EEA license holders can drive with their standard license. If your license is from outside the EU (including UK post-Brexit, US, Canada, Australia), bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your regular license. It costs around $20 from your local automobile association and takes just a few minutes to get.

Most major rental companies accept non-EU licenses, but having an IDP removes any uncertainty at the counter.

Credit Card Requirements

You’ll need a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. This is a temporary hold (not a charge) of 300-1,500 euros depending on the car, which is released after you return the vehicle.

Tip: Bring the same credit card that you booked the car with.

Age Requirements

Minimum age is typically 21. Drivers under 25 may have a young driver fee of 10-25 euros per day. If you’re over 25, you’re all set with no restrictions on most vehicles.

Best Car Rental Comparison Sites

Comparing prices across multiple platforms is the easiest way to find great deals. Here are the ones we recommend.

DiscoverCars

Our top pick for car rentals in Spain. DiscoverCars consistently offers competitive pricing and their interface clearly shows what’s included in each quote. Look for offers with “Full to Full” fuel policy and “Free Cancellation” for maximum flexibility. They also offer their own excess coverage at reasonable rates.

Booking.com

Beyond hotels, Booking.com has an excellent car rental section that aggregates deals from major providers. If you already use Booking.com for accommodation, you can manage everything in one place and sometimes get loyalty discounts. Their customer service is reliable and the booking process is familiar and easy.

Trip.com

Great for combining car rentals with flights and hotels into package deals. Trip.com often has exclusive discounts and their 24/7 customer service is helpful if you need to make changes. Worth checking especially for longer rentals or if you’re booking a complete trip.

Price Comparison Strategy

Check all three sites for your dates – prices can vary significantly for the same car. Booking 2-3 weeks ahead typically gives the best balance of price and availability. The earlier, the better.

Major Rental Companies in Spain

Spain has a great mix of international brands and local companies, giving you plenty of options.

Company	Known For	Best For
Europcar	Large fleet, many locations	Wide vehicle selection
Hertz	Quality vehicles, good roadside assistance	Peace of mind renters
Avis	Wide network, loyalty program	Frequent travelers
Enterprise	Good customer service ratings	US travelers familiar with brand
Sixt	Newer fleet, German efficiency	Those wanting newer vehicles
Goldcar	Budget-friendly prices	Value-focused travelers
OK Rent a Car	Good value, Spanish company	Budget-conscious travelers
Centauro	Competitive pricing	Those comfortable with shuttle transfers

Understanding Car Rental Insurance in Spain

Insurance options can seem confusing at first, but they’re actually straightforward once you understand the basics.

What’s Already Included

Good news: all Spanish rentals include the essentials by default:

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) – Covers vehicle damage with an excess (deductible)
Theft Protection – Covers theft with an excess
Third Party Liability – Legally required, always included

The “excess” is your maximum liability if something happens – typically 800-1,500 euros depending on the car type.

Optional Coverage to Consider

If you want zero-worry coverage, you have several good options:

Rental Company’s Super CDW: Reduces or eliminates the excess. Costs 15-25 euros per day. Convenient if you prefer everything in one place.

Comparison Site Coverage: DiscoverCars and Booking.com offer their own coverage options at competitive rates (often 8-12 euros per day). This typically covers the excess plus extras like tires and glass.

Annual Travel Insurance: If you rent cars frequently, annual policies from travel insurance providers can cover rental car excess globally for around 50-70 euros per year.

Our Recommendation

For most travelers, the coverage offered through DiscoverCars or Booking.com at checkout provides excellent value and peace of mind. It’s simple to add and you’re fully covered.

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience

A few simple steps make the pickup and return process hassle-free.

At Pickup

Document the car: Take a quick walk around and snap photos of the car before driving off. This takes 2 minutes and gives you a record of the car’s condition. Most rental staff appreciate customers who are thorough.

Check the fuel policy: “Full to Full” is the standard and most straightforward – you pick up with a full tank and return it full. Just stop at a gas station near the airport before returning.

Know your fuel type: Check whether your car takes diesel (Gasóleo) or petrol (Gasolina) – it’s marked on the fuel cap. About 70% of Spanish cars are diesel, so double-check before filling up.

At Return

Return with a full tank: If you have a full-to-full policy, fill up before returning. Gas stations near airports are easy to find.

Allow enough time: Arrive 30-60 minutes earlier than you normally would before your flight to complete the return process comfortably.

Get a receipt: Ask for confirmation that the car has been returned in good condition.

Airport Rental Locations

Spain’s major airports all have excellent rental car facilities with multiple companies to choose from.

Madrid Barajas (MAD)

All major companies have desks right in the terminal. Madrid is a perfect base for exploring central Spain – Toledo is just an hour away, Segovia about the same, and you have easy highway access to the south.

Barcelona El Prat (BCN)

Rental desks in both terminals make pickup easy. A car from Barcelona opens up the Costa Brava’s beautiful coves, the mountain monastery of Montserrat, and scenic drives through the Pyrenees.

Malaga (AGP)

The gateway to the Costa del Sol and one of the most competitive rental markets in Spain. From here, you can explore Andalusia’s treasures – the white villages, Ronda’s dramatic gorge, Granada’s Alhambra, and historic Seville.

Alicante (ALC)

Perfect for exploring the Costa Blanca coastline and the beautiful region between Alicante and Valencia. Good prices and easy airport access.

Palma de Mallorca (PMI)

A rental car is the best way to discover Mallorca beyond Palma. The island is compact – you can drive coast to coast in about 90 minutes – and the mountain roads of the Serra de Tramuntana are spectacular.

One-Way Rentals

Want to pick up in one city and drop off in another? It’s possible with most companies for a one-way fee (typically 50-150 euros). This opens up great road trip options like Madrid to Seville or Barcelona along the coast to Valencia.

Driving in Spain: What to Know

Spanish roads are well-maintained and driving is generally relaxed outside major cities. Here are the essentials.

Speed Limits

Highways (Autopistas/Autovías): 120 km/h
National roads: 90-100 km/h
Urban areas: 50 km/h (30 km/h in residential zones)

Toll Roads vs Free Highways

Spain has both toll highways (Autopistas, marked AP) and free highways (Autovías, marked A). Toll roads are faster and less crowded. Typical tolls: Barcelona to the French border around 15 euros, Madrid to Seville around 25 euros. Most toll booths accept cards.

Parking

Blue zones: Pay parking – buy tickets from machines or use the EasyPark app.

Underground garages: Usually your best bet in cities, around 15-25 euros for 24 hours.

Green zones: Reserved for residents – avoid these even if they look empty.

White zones: If you’re lucky enough to find a spot, grab it! These are free.

Fuel

Diesel is cheaper than petrol in Spain. Repsol and Cepsa are the main chains, although some cheaper ones exist. The price differences are surprisingly high, and here in Alicante I constantly see price differences higher than 20c per liter on the same main road. Highway service stations charge more, so fill up before long motorway stretches.

Roundabouts

Very common in Spain. Traffic in the roundabout has priority. Take your time – Spanish drivers are generally patient with tourists navigating unfamiliar roads.

Best Time to Book

Timing your booking can help you get better prices and availability.

Peak Season (June-August)

Book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best selection if you can, especially at popular destinations like Malaga and Palma. Summer is busy but there’s always availability if you plan ahead.

Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October)

Ideal conditions – great weather, good prices, and plenty of availability. Booking 1-2 weeks ahead is usually fine.

Off-Peak (November-March)

Lowest prices and lots of availability. Great for exploring cities and the southern coast, which stays mild year-round.

Quick Checklist Before You Go

Driving license (plus IDP if from outside EU)
Credit card in driver’s name
Booking confirmation printed or on phone/email
Travel insurance details if using third-party coverage
Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps or similar) if going to rural areas

Ready to Explore Spain by Car

Having your own wheels in Spain opens up incredible possibilities – from the dramatic coastlines of the Costa Brava to the olive groves of Andalusia, the mountain villages of the Pyrenees to the hidden beaches of the Balearics. Spanish roads are excellent, fuel is affordable, and the freedom to explore at your own pace is unbeatable.

Compare prices on DiscoverCars, Booking.com, or Trip.com to find the best deal for your trip, and you’ll be ready to hit the road.

Buen viaje!