Renting a car for your first weeks in Spain

Key rules

• Credit card: Bring a credit card in the main driver's own name, because many companies reject debit cards.
• Foreign licence: A non-EU licence stops being valid for driving once your 6 months as a resident end, unless you have exchanged it.
• Excess: The company's full cover cuts the excess to zero and usually shrinks the card deposit.
• Young drivers: Under 25, expect a daily surcharge on top of the rental price.

Is a rental right for your first weeks?

Yes, if you meet three requirements: a suitable licence, a credit card in your name, and the company's minimum age. You also need to understand the excess, the part of any damage bill you pay yourself. Check all four before you book. Terms differ by company.

Licence

Companies accept a full national licence in Roman (Latin) script. You usually need to have held it for at least one year, and some companies ask for two or three. EU/EEA licences need no extra papers. Licences from other countries are normally fine if they are in Latin script.

An International Driving Permit is legally required if your licence is not in Latin script, and for some non-EU licences. Many companies ask for it anyway, so ask before you book. Carry your passport or ID card with the licence.

Card

Most rental companies require a credit card in the main driver's own name to hold the deposit, and many reject debit cards. The card needs enough available limit for the deposit. Prepaid cards and cash deposits are rarely accepted.

Some companies take a debit card only if you buy their full-cover insurance. The deposit is then often lower or waived. Ask the desk before you travel.

Age

The usual minimum age is 21. Some companies allow 18 to 20 for small cars, and others ask for 23 to 25 for larger or premium cars. Drivers under 25, and sometimes under 23, pay a young-driver surcharge. It is typically €10 to €25 per day, often capped per rental. Some companies add a senior surcharge or an upper age limit, commonly around 70 to 75.

Excess and insurance

Basic rentals include collision damage waiver and theft protection, but with an excess. For economy and compact cars this is typically €600 to €1,500, and it is higher for premium cars. The company blocks a deposit on your card, usually equal to the excess, or the excess plus fuel.

You have two ways to reduce it:

• The company's own full cover cuts the excess to zero and usually cuts or removes the deposit. It costs roughly €10 to €30 per day.
• A third-party refund policy costs less, but you pay the excess first and reclaim it later.

Tyres, glass, the underside and keys are often excluded unless the policy names them. Check this in the policy.

Prices

Prices depend on season, location, how early you book and the length of the rental. Winter is cheapest and July and August are dearest. Airport pickups cost more than town pickups. Monthly rentals usually cost less per day than weekly ones, and several companies sell monthly or subscription deals. Compare prices for your exact dates before you book.

How long you can drive on your own licence

If you come from a non-EU country, you can drive on your foreign licence for 6 months after you become resident. After that you must exchange it or pass the Spanish tests. Once the deadline passes, the foreign licence no longer lets you drive in Spain.

Exchange is done at the traffic authority (DGT) by appointment. Bring a medical report, your ID and the original licence. Countries with an exchange agreement with Spain include many Latin American countries, the UK, Japan, Australia and Switzerland. If your country has no agreement, you must pass the Spanish tests.

If you hold an EU/EEA licence, you can keep driving on it until it expires. Exchange is not compulsory.

The timeline, documents and checklist below walk you through the steps.

Timeline and deadlines

• Book a DGT appointment to exchange your licence, with a medical report, ID and the original licence: before the 6 months end

• Stop driving on the foreign licence; if your country has no exchange agreement, pass the Spanish tests: after the 6 months end

• Keep driving on your EU/EEA licence; exchange is not compulsory: until the licence expires

Documents you need

• Your full national driving licence in Roman (Latin) script, held for at least one year (some companies ask for two or three years). EU/EEA licences need nothing extra.

• An International Driving Permit, needed if your licence is not in Latin script and for some non-EU licences. Many companies ask for it as a precaution.

• Your passport or ID card, carried with the licence.

Checklist

• Check that your licence is in Roman script and has been held long enough for the company you chose.

• Ask the company whether it wants an International Driving Permit with your licence.

• Ask whether a debit card is accepted, and on what insurance package, if you have no credit card.

• Work out the date your 6 months on a non-EU foreign licence end, and book your exchange before it.

Frequently asked questions

How old do I need to be to rent a car in Spain?

The usual minimum age to rent a car in Spain is 21, though some companies set it at 18 to 20 for small cars or 23 to 25 for larger ones. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly €10 to €25 per day, often capped per rental.

How much excess will I have to cover if I damage a rental car?

The excess on a basic rental is typically €600 to €1,500 for economy and compact cars, and higher for premium cars. The company's own full cover cuts the excess to zero for roughly €10 to €30 per day. Cheaper third-party refund policies mean you pay the excess first and claim it back later.

What does the excess deposit on my card usually cost me up front?

The amount blocked on your card is usually equal to the excess, or the excess plus fuel. Full cover from the rental company usually reduces or removes it.

Does a rental licence rule change how long I can drive on my own licence?

No, a rental company's licence rule does not change how long your own licence is valid in Spain. The 6-month limit after you become resident only applies to the road, so plan your exchange appointment at the DGT, the traffic authority, before it runs out.