Car Rental and Driving in Spain

Renting a car in Spain in 2026 can be approached in two ways: the “difficult” way (through large international brands) and the “clever” way (through local rental companies). We tell you everything you need to know before you plan your trip and rent a car in Spain: list of documents, traffic rules, and useful tips.

Mandatory Documents

Without this set, you won’t be given a car anywhere:

Foreign Passport: must be valid for the entire rental period.

National Driving License (DL): your standard domestic license.

Important: driving experience must be at least 1 year (for some car classes (2–3 years)).

International Driving Permit (IDP): this is a gray booklet that serves as a translation of your license. Major chains (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar) require it in 99% of cases. If you don’t have it, they may refuse to issue the car without a refund, citing company rules. The police also have the right to ask for it.

Tip: get it in advance; it removes many risks. An IDP is only valid when presented with your original license.

Bank Card and Deposit

You need to decide how you will leave a deposit, depending on the payment methods available to you.

Option 1: Foreign Bank Card

This is the simplest option. You can go to any major company (Goldcar, Centauro, Sixt). The card must be a credit card (Credit) by BIN (first 6 digits), not a debit card. Rental companies often check this against a database. The main driver’s name must be embossed on the card. A spouse’s/friend’s card will not work unless they are listed as primary drivers. The amount frozen on the account will be from €800 to €2,000.

Option 2: Cash Payment

If you do not have a credit card, your solution is local rental companies or the aggregator Localrent (formerly MyRentacar).

In this case, you book a car on the aggregator’s website, paying an advance (15–20%) online, and you pay the remaining amount in cash € when you pick up the car. Local companies often take a cash deposit (€300–€500), which is returned when you drop off the car. In the search filters, you need to look for the “Cash Deposit” checkbox.

Loophole with Full Insurance (Super Cover)

If you don’t have a credit card but have a foreign bank debit card or cash, you can try renting a car from low-cost providers (e.g., Goldcar, Record Go) by purchasing their full insurance at the counter. The loophole is: you pay for expensive insurance (€20–€30 per day), but no deposit is taken from you, or it’s minimal (for a tank of fuel). The downside is that the rental becomes 2–3 times more expensive.

Age Restrictions

In Spain, there are specific rules regarding the minimum driver age; the most common is 21, but drivers under 26 may be charged an additional fee (a “youth tax,” so to speak). And if you want to rent a luxury car, you’ll likely have to wait until you’re 26.

Car Equipment

When renting a car and driving in Spain, make sure your vehicle has the following items: a warning triangle, a reflective vest, spare bulbs for headlights and turn signals, and headlight deflectors.

Traffic Rules in Spain

Speed Limits

In Spain, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles on regular roads in populated areas is 50 km/h, and on highways in more densely populated areas: 80 km/h. Outside these areas, you can drive at 90 km/h, and on roads with more than one lane in each direction, up to 100 km/h. On motorways, the speed limit is 120 km/h.

Toll Roads

In Spain, only 20% of motorways are toll roads. However, they are unevenly distributed across regions: about half of the toll roads are in Catalonia. There are excellent free highways (Autovía, marked with the letter A), and there are also toll motorways (Autopista, letter AP). Toll roads are usually less congested and faster. Payment can be made by card, cash, or via a transponder (Via-T).

Tip: in your navigator (Google Maps, Waze), check the “Avoid toll roads” option. Often, a free road runs parallel to a toll road and is only slightly slower, but the views are more picturesque.

Roundabouts

Spaniards love roundabouts. There are thousands of them. The main rule: priority goes to the one already on the roundabout. You can only exit the roundabout from the outer (right) lane. If you are in the inner lane, change lanes first. Spaniards often violate this rule by cutting off, so be vigilant.

Fines and Penalties

Fines for speeding in Spain can range from €100 to €600 for more serious offenses. Other reasons you might be fined include not having the necessary documents in the car, parking violations, or using a mobile phone while driving.

Tips for Car Rental in Spain

When picking up your rental car, inspect it carefully and note or photograph all existing marks and scratches. Then, upon return, take several high-quality photos of the interior and exterior of the car as proof of its condition upon return. If the rental terms include returning the car with a full tank, don’t forget to refuel. Pay attention and don’t confuse: Gasolina 95 — petrol, Gasoleo (Diesel) — diesel.

If you plan to cross borders and enter other countries by car, you should inform the agency in advance, as they need to ensure you have proper insurance for all places you intend to visit. To avoid additional costs for driving a few extra kilometers, try to arrange for unlimited mileage.

Never leave bags, jackets, or your navigator in plain sight. If you have a hatchback, remove the rear parcel shelf to show that the trunk is empty.

In Spanish cities, parking is a headache. Look at the color of the markings on the asphalt:

• White line: Hooray! Free parking. You can stay as long as you want.
• Blue line (Zona Azul): Paid parking. Look for a parking meter (expendedor de tickets) nearby. Pay for the time and place the ticket under the windshield. Usually free during siesta (from 2 PM to 4 PM) and at night, but always read the signs.
• Green or orange line: Only for residents (local inhabitants). Tourists cannot park there, or it’s very expensive and for a short time. It’s better not to risk it — tow trucks will tow your car away immediately.
• Yellow line: Parking prohibited.