Can You Rent A Car For International Travel In Europe?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Within Europe, the general answer is

yes, you can drive your hire car into a different European country from where you picked it up

. However, you may find some restrictions depending on the: Country you rent the car from. Country/countries you want to take the car to.

Can you rent a car and leave it in another country?


At participating Enterprise rental locations, a vehicle can be rented in one location and returned to another

; however, please be advised that: Some one way rentals are assessed a one-time drop charge or mileage charge in addition to the rental rate.

Can you take a rental car internationally?

If you are planning to rent a car abroad,

you may be asked to present one along with your regular license from home

. You must be at least 18 years old to get an IDP. There are only two agencies in the U.S. authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

Can Americans rent vehicles in Europe?

Whether you're American or Canadian,

your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries

. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is an official translation of your US license (making it easier for the cop to write out a ticket).

Can I take my car to Europe?

Since you certainly can't drive over there, there are two options for getting your car to Europe.

You can send it by ship or by plane

, explains Carfax. Sending the car by sea is usually less expensive. Ships leave the East Coast every day, and it takes about 10 days to get to Europe by ship from Baltimore or New York.

Can I rent a car in Italy and drop it off in France?

Be sure to confirm that

your rental car agreement even allows you to take a car from France into Italy

. Most often folks drop their French car in France, take the train into Italy and pick.

Does car insurance cover rental cars in Europe?

When you rent a car in Europe,

the company will usually require you to purchase a collision damage waiver (CDW)

. This isn't technically insurance, but an agreement that if the car's damaged, you won't be financially responsible.

Can you rent a car in UK and drive to Europe?

Can I take a hire car from the UK to Europe?

Yes, you can take pick up your hire car in the UK and drive it in in Europe

. A charge will apply when using your car abroad which is calculated depending on the number of days.

Where is the cheapest place to rent a car in Europe?

A 16-country study of car hire costs worldwide reveals that

Turkey and the USA

are the cheapest places to hire a car this summer, and Italy and Portugal are the most expensive.

Can I take a rental car from Italy to Switzerland?

Re: Driving a hire car from Italy to Switzerland. Allowed?

Yes. All the major rental companies allow you to take the car anywhere in western Europe

.

Why is it so expensive to rent a car in Europe?

It's that

enormous gulf between supply and demand

that's causing the out-of-control prices on display in Europe this summer, he says. Most of the big companies will raise prices when demand is outstripping supply — just as airlines do.

Do I need an International Drivers License to rent a car in Europe?

Renting a Car in Europe: Get an IDP

But

most other popular European destinations such as Italy, France, Germany, and Spain require that you also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your regular driver's license

.

Can a US citizen rent a car in Germany?

To rent a car in Germany, you'll need: Driver's license. International Driving Permit (IDP) Valid ID (Driver's license or passport can be used; for non-EU visitors, an International Driver Permit is required if your license is not written in English.)

How much does it cost to import a car to Europe?

The cost to ship a car to Europe ranges from

$900 per car in a consolidated container to $2,100 in a 20ft container

.

How long can I take my car to Europe for?

UK law still applies to a UK-registered vehicle if you take it abroad for less than

12 months

. That means you need to make sure: your vehicle is taxed in the UK while it's abroad.

How much is it to ship a car to Europe?

The cost to ship a car overseas varies based on the size of the car, operating condition and destination. Cars located closer to shipping terminals cost less. Typical costs: Shipping a car from the US to Europe

starts around $750 for a compact and runs up to around $2,000 for a full-sized SUV

.

Can I rent a car in Germany and drive to France?

You may drive the vehicle in the following countries: Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Finland, Liechtenstein, Great Britain, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, San Marino, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia.

Can I rent a car in Germany and return it in Switzerland?

The short answer is “

usually no

“. Typically you can use a rental car in neighbouring countries, and also insurance coverage will include travel to neighbouring countries …

Can I rent a car in Rome and return it in Milan?

Do I have to return my rental car to the same location?

You can drop your car off in another Italian city

, however, in most cases there will be a domestic one-way fee you'll need to pay when you pick up your vehicle.

Is car insurance mandatory in Europe?


European Union countries require that a driver have third-party liability insurance prior to registering a car

. This insurance covers the other party's property damage and injuries due to an at-fault accident in any EU country.

Do you need car rental insurance in Europe?

Within most of Europe — and certainly within the European Union —

your car-rental fee must include adequate liability coverage

. You may use this type of coverage if the car is damaged or you cause harm to someone on the road.

How much does CDW cost?

A CDW covers damage to the rental car, but not to other people's property. Collision damage waivers for economy typically cost

$10 – $30 per day

. Damage waivers do not cover theft or risky behaviors that result in damage, such as drunk driving.

Can I rent a car with an EU license?

If you are using an EU or EAA Licence

you are free to hire a car and drive in the UK

. You only need to exchange if you become a UK resident.

Do I need a green card if I hire a car in Europe?

If you're renting a hire car within the EU,

you do not need a green card

.

Can you rent a car in Spain and drive to France?

Re: Fee for hiring a car in Spain and driving into France?

Yes, this will be correct

. The ‘cheaper' car rental companies charge either a daily, or one off payment, for cross-border insurance. Other hire companies, like Avis, Hertz etc already include insurance for neighbouring countries, in the price.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.