Want to navigate the colourful Spanish panorama at your recreational? Renting a automotive is the important thing. Our information delivers easy steps on methods to hire a automotive in Spain, from must-know criminal necessities to choosing the right type on your travel. We’ll arm you with sensible pointers to verify a hassle-free condo revel in so you’ll be able to hit the street and experience Spain’s iconic locations very quickly.
We’ve used condo vehicles in Spain for years and feature pushed thru this nation from Barcelona and San Sebastian within the north to the border of Gibraltar within the South. We’ve made errors previously and feature even won a $500 invoice from the condo corporate after returning house. On our most up-to-date travel to Spain, we rented a automotive and made positive to not make the similar errors two times. That is the entire data and pointers that we use to hire a automotive in Spain.
Surroundings the Wheels in Movement: Beginning Your Automobile Apartment Adventure in Spain


Renting a automotive in Spain is like unlocking the door to a treasure chest of reviews. It provides you with the liberty to challenge into hidden gem stones which might be off the overwhelmed trail, and it’s an incredible option to immerse your self within the native tradition. Plus, there’s the added convenience and protection of getting your personal house. Image your self riding thru Spain’s various landscapes, from the rolling hills dotted with ancient websites to the breathtaking perspectives of Global Heritage Websites—it’s a chance for discovery that’s onerous to go up.
Exploring Northern Spain, particularly the ancient Camino de Santiago routes, by means of condo automotive provides a novel journey for your adventure.
Opting for the Best possible Apartment Automobile


Choosing the right form of car on your deliberate itinerary is an important, particularly for successfully navigating busy towns or mountainous areas of Spain. So, what dimension automotive will have to you hire? Clearly, small vehicles shall be less expensive and use much less fuel. Petrol costs in Europe are dearer than within the States and, sure, even Canada. We hire small vehicles now not just for fuel financial savings but additionally for ease of parking and going thru slender roads.
If you happen to don’t force stick, you should definitely e-book months prematurely as they promote out briefly. Essentially the most inexpensive choice in Spain is to hire a regular transmission. Plus, it’s far more amusing.
Prior to you lock in that condo, take a second to look over the condo phrases. Stay an eye fixed out for a way they care for mileage, what their gasoline coverage is, if there are any age limits that would possibly impact you, and what they’ll fee for including any other motive force. Moreover, believe the necessities and pointers for automotive leases, corresponding to age restrictions, vital paperwork like a legitimate motive force’s license and perhaps an Global Riding Allow, advance reservations, choices for one-way leases, world shuttle insurance policies, and further charges for drivers below 25 years previous.
Figuring out Automobile Apartment Offers


To extend the possibility of having a excellent deal and ensure the supply of the automobile you in reality need, you will have to you should definitely e-book neatly prematurely of your travel. After all, that is what we advise with the whole thing associated with shuttle this present day. The additional prematurely you e-book, the simpler the offers are generally. With fierce festival amongst automotive condo firms in Spain, you’re more likely to in finding excellent offers regardless.
Internet sites like RentalCars.com and Reserving.com are nice platforms to check costs and in finding the most productive automotive condo offers the most effective automotive condo firms. Bear in mind, the early chook catches the malicious program – or, on this case, the most productive automotive condo offers out of your selected condo automotive corporate!
Navigating the Necessities: Eligibility and Documentation


Prior to you head out at the Spanish roads, it’s an important to know the eligibility necessities for renting a automotive in Spain. Listed here are the important thing necessities:
- Minimal age: Normally 21, however some firms set upper age limits of 23 or over.
- Paperwork wanted: Legitimate motive force’s license, passport, and bank card are required within the title of the principle motive force.
- Further evidence of cope with: Some automotive condo firms would possibly ask for extra evidence of cope with but even so the riding license, identification card, or passport.
For non-EU voters, together with the ones from the United States and Canada, an Global Driving force’s Allow (IDP) is vital along their legitimate motive force’s license when renting a automotive in Spain. We put this in right here, however we have now by no means wanted an IDP in Spain (or they’ve by no means checked). Simply you should definitely verify with the condo corporate ahead of you get there.
The Age Issue: Minimal Age and Further Charges
Whilst the criminal riding age in Spain is eighteen, the minimal age requirement for renting a automotive in Spain is 21 years. However don’t have a good time simply but should you’re below 25! Drivers below 25 years previous are matter to an extra younger motive force surcharge when renting a automotive. This rate can considerably building up the full charge of the automobile condo.
So, should you’re a tender motive force desperate to hit the Spanish roads, be ready for this additional charge.
Insurance coverage Issues


Insurance policy is a an important side of renting a automotive and a compulsory one. That is clearly one of the vital extra complicated issues to navigate when renting a automotive, as some issues exchange relying on who you’re the use of on your insurance coverage, what automotive condo corporate you’re the use of, and if you’re the use of your Credit score Card for insurance coverage. We in reality have an ideal video that is going over all of those to provide help to perceive the main points.
Will have to I exploit my Credit score Card For insurance coverage?
That is clearly a non-public selection, however ahead of you make a decision to make use of it as a result of it’s “incorporated along with your bank card,” ensure to perform a little research first. All bank cards are other, and it would be best to name your bank card corporate to look what they quilt. You don’t need to get caught afterward, studying you didn’t meet the eligibility standards.
CDW or Collision Injury is generally lined, however now not legal responsibility. Happily, should you hire a automotive in Spain, legal responsibility insurance coverage is obligatory, and that is incorporated within the condo charge.
We use American Specific Platinum, which has very good protection. On the other hand, it is very important observe that whilst you e-book the condo, it must be within the title of the cardholder, and that particular person must be the principle motive force. If it’s not, then you definitely will not be lined.
Will have to I exploit the Automobile Apartment Corporate insurance coverage?


If it’s now not too dear, we adore to buy the total protection from the condo corporate; alternatively, right through our ultimate talk over with to Spain, they charged €25 Euro an afternoon, which ended up being greater than the price of our condo. So we determined in opposition to it and used a 3rd birthday party. We advise trying out websites like rentalcars.com or reserving.com for higher insurance coverage offers.
You’ll additionally purchase your insurance coverage on the counter whilst you pick out up the automobile – However be careful! While you get to the condo counter, they’re very pushy and can attempt to inform you the only you bought doesn’t paintings or that your bank card gained’t paintings, which, in our revel in, is fake; they do. That is the place they make their cash and that is the place you wish to have to have executed your analysis previously so you’ll be able to really feel assured turning them down.
While you hire a automotive in Spain, should you use the condo corporate’s insurance coverage, know that it generally does now not come with crossing borders. That being stated, you’ll be able to generally take it into Portugal, France, or Gibraltar, however should you plan in this, you should definitely double-check with them that you are going to be lined. Some smaller firms fee additional for this. It’s generally within the settlement.
If you happen to do have injury and feature out of doors insurance coverage, you should definitely acquire the entire forms that you wish to have. It’ll be unattainable to get your a refund out of your insurance coverage corporate should you don’t have any evidence or reference. Get all of it down in writing.
Finally, the repositioning rate may also be astronomical should you don’t go back the automobile to the similar nation.
Choosing Up Your Trip: Assortment and Inspection Protocols


While you’re in a position to hit the street, there are some things to bear in mind. To offer protection to your self from any false injury claims, we extremely counsel taking a video of your automotive’s situation right through the preliminary walk-around. Not like some puts, there is not any formal check-out inspection whilst you go back the automobile.
Apartment vehicles every now and then don’t seem to be in nice situation, and they would even attempt to pin injury on you, so having your personal backup video and footage is the very best evidence. Those are time-stamped.
It’s not like North The united states, the place they stroll across the automotive with you, and also you pass over the wear and tear to substantiate the whole thing ahead of you allow. In Spain, they provide the keys for your automotive, have a listing of damages, and be expecting you to log off on that sight unseen.
Most often, if we discover any further injury, we can return in and inform them so as to add it to the forms, particularly if this is a primary scratch or dent.
Airport Places vs. City Spaces: The place to Gather
Whether or not you’re amassing your condo automotive from an airport location or an city condo spot could make a vital distinction. Renting a automotive at an airport in Spain provides the next benefits:
- A more uncomplicated and cost-effective procedure
- A various array of cars
- Favorable charges
- Larger car availability thru complicated reserving
Plus, the ease of selecting up a condo automotive proper after touchdown is an added get advantages. Primary airports like Barcelona El Prat Airport and Madrid Barajas Airport are fashionable for his or her comfort and aggressive charges.
At the Street: Figuring out Spanish Riding Rules and Etiquette


While you’re in the back of the wheel, it’s crucial to know Spanish riding rules and etiquette to verify a secure and relaxing adventure. From obligatory protection belts for all car occupants to the prohibition of the use of cell phones with no hands-free tool, Spain takes highway protection severely. Some essential riding rules and etiquette in Spain come with:
- Overtaking should be executed at the left facet of the opposite car
- Dressed in helmets is necessary for riders of motorbikes, mopeds, and bicycles
- Spain enforces strict blood alcohol stage limits to stop ingesting and riding offenses
- Take into accout of the place and whilst you use your horn to keep away from fines
Velocity Restrict Savvy: Staying Throughout the Regulation


In Spain, velocity limits range in response to the sort and site of the street. On twin carriageways and motorways, the utmost velocity restrict is ready at 120 km/h. The velocity restrict in most cases decreases to 90 km/h on roads now not labeled as twin carriageways or motorways.
Inside of built-up spaces, corresponding to cities or towns, the velocity restrict is additional diminished to a regular 30 km/h. Happily, all condo vehicles in Spain show the posted velocity restrict on their speedometer, so you’ll be able to control how briskly you’re going. Agree with me, it’s simple to get a price ticket as the velocity limits exchange frequently, and there may be numerous photograph radar.
Mountain and coastal roads may also be very slender and stuffed with curves, so should you plan to force so much, make sure to are happy with other highway stipulations. We’ve pushed from England to Mongolia and in all places in between and really feel relaxed riding slender roads, however our convenience stage is way upper than others.
Toll Roads and Tunnels: Making plans Your Path
Making plans your course is a key a part of an ideal highway travel in Spain, and that comes with working out the idea that of toll roads and tunnels. In Spain, as we stated above, there are two primary kinds of motorways: autovias, that are typically untolled, and autopistas, which require the cost of tolls. Toll bills can vary from as low as €5 to as much as €30, relying at the adventure.
You’ll make toll bills the use of money or bank card, and for additonal comfort, drivers can use the digital toll assortment device By means of-T. They in reality make it relatively simple.
Fueling Your Adventure: Fuel Stations and Gas Varieties


As you shuttle thru Spain, you’ll want to control your gasoline gauge. In Spain, you’ve gotten the solution to gasoline your condo automotive with diesel (categorised as ‘diesel’) or with unleaded petrol (categorised as ‘gasolina’), to be had in 3 sorts: E5, E10, or E85. Fuel stations in Spain could also be unattended right through Sundays, vacations, lunchtime siestas, or overdue at evening. It is very important take this under consideration when making plans your travel.
The typical worth of fuel in Spain is round 1.90 EUR in keeping with liter, and when returning a condo automotive, be sure that the tank is complete to keep away from further fees.
Maximum Fuel Stations: A Information to Refueling
Whilst at the highway, realizing methods to refuel at self-service fuel stations is an important. At those stations, shoppers are anticipated to control refueling their cars on their very own. All over the daylight, you’ll be able to refuel at self-service stations and pay afterwards, however chances are you’ll want to pre-pay or go away a bank card with the cashier ahead of filling up.
At evening, it’s frequently required to pay ahead of the use of the products and services at a fuel station. Maximum fuel stations in Spain settle for both money or bank cards for cost. To verify a easy go back of your condo car, plan prematurely by means of finding fuel stations close to your drop-off location and conserving the overall fuel receipt as evidence of refueling.
Diesel or Petrol: Making the Proper Selection
Relating to opting for between diesel and petrol, diesel cars are frequently noticed as a cheap choice because of decrease gasoline costs and higher gasoline economic system of diesel engines. Apartment automotive firms in Spain would possibly be offering a restricted collection of diesel vehicles to cater to budget-conscious shoppers.
So, should you’re making plans a protracted highway travel thru Spain, a diesel automotive may well be the precise car for you.
Parking Smarts: The place to Depart Your Automobile in Spain


Navigating the parking laws in Spain could be a bit tough. Listed here are some pointers that can assist you.
Parking at the streets of Spain is frequently matter to native cost and laws, which will range in response to location, time of day, day of the week, and whether or not the date is unusual and even. In higher towns, drivers can use underground parking quite a bit, that are simple to search out the use of Google Maps.
Parking pointers for riding in smaller cities and villages:
- Park at the fringe of the city to keep away from maneuvering thru slender, one-way streets within the facilities.
- In case your condo automotive is towed, a decal indicating the site of the automobile will generally be left.
- Drivers are answerable for paying the advantageous and towing fees on the designated places.
City Parking Ways: Keeping off Fines and Robbery
In city spaces and primary towns, the place parking areas are in prime call for, it’s possible you’ll need to park out of doors of town heart and take public shipping. As at all times it’s essential to apply positive techniques to keep away from fines and car break-ins. Stay any digital units, chargers, and different valuables out of sight and also you even would possibly need to take away any condo stickers to discourage doable thieves.
Exploring Historical Facilities: Parking Issues
When visiting ancient the city facilities in Spain, parking may also be relatively difficult because of slender streets and limited get entry to, essentially for citizens or allow holders. In those instances, you will have to indisputably park out of doors town or town heart and believe the use of public transportation to succeed in historic spaces.
Bettering Your Enjoy: Extras and Upload-Ons
To strengthen your automotive condo revel in, it’s possible you’ll need to believe including extras and add-ons for your package deal. Some automotive condo firms in Spain be offering the choice so as to add an extra motive force to the condo settlement, however you will have to observe that this generally will incur a day by day rate with a cap at the most fee.
You’ll additionally hire GPS techniques, that are particularly helpful for navigating unfamiliar spaces. This present day, despite the fact that, we simply have an e-sim on our telephone and use knowledge with Google Maps, which hasn’t allow us to down but. Automobile condo firms may give kid protection seats for the ones touring with kids for an extra rate.
Concluding Your Apartment: Go back Procedures and Ultimate Value Issues


As your adventure involves an finish, it’s time to go back your condo automotive. This may frequently be probably the most annoying time of the entire holiday. To keep away from the extra charge of an additional condo day, be sure that to go back the condo automotive punctually as there may be in most cases just a 30-minute grace length supplied.
Upon the condo automotive’s go back, you should definitely do your personal inspection. Relying at the condo company and even the time you go back it, they won’t pass over anything else with you. If conceivable, attempt to check out with an attendant to ensure that no new damages have happened; taking footage can function proof of the car’s situation. The general condo worth shall be made up our minds upon go back, comprising the preliminary condo charge plus any further charges for insurance coverage, gasoline, highway taxes, tolls, and parking.
As a rule, if you’re renting at an airport, they pass over the whole thing, provide you with the invoice and also you pay proper at the spot.
Returning to the Proper Spot: Airport Places and Town Returns
After your Spanish journey, you’ll want to go back your condo automotive to the desired location, whether or not at an airport or town heart. Apartment automotive providers in most cases be offering pickup and drop-off products and services at each airport desks and a number of other town heart places for additonal comfort. Make sure you go back your condo automotive to the site specified to your condo settlement, which would possibly come with quite a lot of airport or town heart places in Spain.
The solution to hire a automotive and pick out up and drop off condo vehicles at other automotive condo places may also be handy and cost-effective for vacationers, particularly when the use of a competent automotive condo corporate. Simply make sure to know if there may be an extra charge added ahead of you force off of the lot.
No Surprises: Figuring out Further Charges
To keep away from any ugly surprises, it’s very important to know doable further charges. We generally get the total protection, so we have now a worry-free condo. However you will have to at all times request a replica of the overall situation document when returning the car and retain this documentation till bank card fees may also be verified. It is a excellent factor to do as it could in point of fact assist if you wish to have to dispute any surprising charges or fees.


Renting a automotive in Spain provides a novel alternative to discover the rustic’s various landscapes and cultures at your personal tempo. From settling on the very best condo automotive to working out native riding rules, parking well, and managing gasoline wishes, each and every step of the adventure provides its personal set of adventures. With cautious making plans, consciousness of doable further charges, and a spirit of exploration, your Spanish highway travel may also be an unforgettable revel in. So, pack your luggage, e-book your automotive, and hit the Spanish roads!
Steadily Requested Questions


What are the age necessities for renting a automotive in Spain?
You wish to have to be no less than 21 years previous to hire a automotive in Spain, despite the fact that some firms would possibly require you to be 23 or older. Drivers below 25 might also face an additional surcharge.
What’s the velocity restrict on Spanish roads?
The velocity restrict on Spanish roads varies by means of highway classification. Twin carriageways and motorways have a most velocity restrict of 120 km/h, whilst on different roads it’s in most cases 90 km/h, and in built-up spaces, it’s 30 km/h. So, be sure you stay an eye fixed out for the particular limits in response to the kind of highway you’re on.
Will have to I make a selection a diesel or petrol automotive for my highway travel in Spain?
It’s essential to believe your shuttle plans and price range when opting for between diesel and petrol vehicles on your highway travel in Spain. Diesel cars are frequently noticed as cost-effective because of decrease gasoline costs and higher gasoline economic system, however weigh the choices in response to your particular wishes.
The place will have to I park my condo automotive in Spanish towns?
You will have to park your condo automotive out of doors the middle of Spanish towns and use public shipping to keep away from fines and robbery. It’s more secure and extra handy.
What will have to I do if my condo automotive is towed?
In case your condo automotive is towed, search for a decal with the automobile’s location after which pass to the designated places to pay the advantageous and towing fees.