Cross-border car rentals in Europe: rules, fees, and how to do it right

Whether you can hire a car for a trip abroad depends on the policies of individual rental companies. Most allow you to cross borders, but this isn’t always automatically permitted. In this article, we’ll cover all the nuances of traveling abroad in a rental car.

Can you take a rental car across European borders?

Rental companies are generally flexible when it comes to car rentals for travel within the European Union. Travel outside the EU, however, requires prior written approval from the rental company when booking or picking up the car. Make sure your car insurance covers the countries you plan to travel to.

What is a cross-border fee?

If you want to travel abroad in a rental car, you must pay a special fee to the company. This covers additional insurance, taxes, risks and logistics. However, you must notify the car rental company of your border crossing plans several days before picking up the vehicle to allow them time to prepare the necessary documents. The fee ranges from 10 to 60 euro, either one-time or per country. Sometimes the additional fee is included in the insurance document.

Which car rental companies allow cross-border travel?

• Enterprise permits travel to Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. Drivers must purchase European travel insurance and contact the rental car office 72 hours before pick-up to arrange for the VE 103 certificate.

• Sixt has clear lists of country zones. Renting a car from this company allows you to travel to the UK, France, Spain, and Germany. Before driving your rental car to another European country, make sure you’re familiar with all the traffic regulations to avoid fines.

• Avis/Budget. Cross-border travel is possible in many countries only with company approval and with certain vehicle models. You must notify the rental office in advance and pay an additional cross-border fee.

• Europcar allows cross-border travel in many cases, but it all depends on the country where you hire the vehicle, the type of vehicle and the countries you plan to visit.

• Localrent and similar brokers — the rules vary by provider. To travel abroad in Localrent vehicles, please use the ‘Cross-Border Tax’ filter on the company’s website to find suitable vehicles and notify the rental company in advance.

Documents and requirements for cross-border rentals

To rent a car for travel abroad, you need the following documents:

• Passport or national ID.
• Driver’s licence and International Driving Permit (IDP) if required.
• Green Card or international insurance.
• Written authorisation from the rental company.
• Rental agreement specifying approved countries.
• Credit card.

Countries where cross-border travel may be restricted

Each car rental company imposes individual restrictions on entry into other countries. Some of these restrictions vary depending on the rental country. For example, when renting a car in Europe with Hertz, you’re prohibited from crossing the borders of Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Sometimes, the driver may be required to provide an additional deposit or documents to enter the desired country. Luxury cars are often completely prohibited from entering high-risk regions.

Can you drop off a rental in another country? (one-way rentals)

This option isn’t available with all companies. For example, Avis offers one-way rentals throughout the UK and Europe, including airports and city centres. However, Hertz car rentals prohibit travel to Mexico.

Returning a car in another country requires prior authorisation and a cross-border fee, as well as a substantial fee for returning the car elsewhere, which can sometimes exceed €1000.

Tips for cross-border rentals in Europe

To get the best deal on a car rental for travel abroad, we’ve prepared some tips for you:

1. Specify your route in advance when booking. This affects the company’s insurance and permits.
2. Double-check which countries are listed in your rental agreement to protect yourself in the event of a breakdown or accident.
3. Carry a printed copy of your agreement and insurance policy. This is much more convenient than searching through documents on your phone, especially since some police officers require paper documents.
4. You can avoid some fees by taking advantage of credit card benefits that offer free car rental insurance.
5. Refuel before crossing the border to avoid price differences. Fuel prices in neighboring countries can vary significantly. For example, in Albania, one liter of gasoline costs €1.77, while in Montenegro it’s €1.41.
6. Learn the road regulations in each country. In Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, a vignette is required for driving on highways, while in others, electronic registration or toll collection is required.

Conclusion

Traveling in a rental car in Europe is possible, but only with prior arrangement with the rental company. Be prepared to pay extra, plan your route in advance, and check the rental terms before your trip.