The honest way to rent a car in Spain.

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car rental companies in Spain, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate offers additional benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no deductible (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your rental period
• Premium travel medical assistance, covering up to EUR 100,000 for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this at no extra cost, guaranteeing you a unique rental experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip in Spain.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Spain are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in Spain charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the rental partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

To pick up a rental car in Spain you must bring all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at any counter.

• Your original, unexpired driver's license (physical card, not a photo or app)
• Your passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• A major credit card with your name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight tickets or cruise tickets (required for visitors arriving from abroad)

EU and EEA licenses are fully valid in Spain without any additional translation. If your license was issued outside the EU and uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original license. The IDP is a translation only and is never accepted on its own.

Some counters in Spain may also ask for your flight number or boarding pass at airport locations, so keep those accessible after landing.

No, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Spain if your license was issued by an EU or EEA country, as those licenses are fully valid throughout Spain.

However, an IDP is required in Spain if your license was issued outside the EU and uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. In that case you must carry both your original license and the IDP together at all times. The IDP alone is not accepted as a standalone document.

If your non-EU license uses the Latin alphabet, the IDP is recommended but not strictly mandatory in Spain. That said, carrying one reduces the risk of complications at the counter or during a roadside check by Spanish traffic authorities (DGT).

Important: obtain your IDP in your home country before traveling to Spain. It cannot be issued abroad.

Spain has a mixed toll system. Designated motorways marked with the prefix AP (autopistas de peaje) charge tolls, while free motorways marked with the prefix A (autovías) run parallel to many of those routes and can be used as alternatives at no cost.

At toll plazas in Spain you can generally pay by cash, credit or debit card at staffed or automated booths, or electronically via the VIA-T transponder (also called Telepeaje) in dedicated lanes. Some newer sections, particularly in Galicia, Andalucía, and the Basque Country, operate barrier-free electronic-only lanes where a transponder or plate-based billing is required.

Typical toll costs on AP roads in Spain average roughly EUR 0.08 to EUR 0.10 per kilometre for a standard car. As a reference, the AP-7, AP-36, AP-41, and the Madrid radial routes (R-2 through R-5) are among the most used toll roads. Note that the AP-7 ring road around Alicante is now permanently toll-free.

Most rental companies in Spain offer a daily toll program that covers all tolls automatically, including barrier-free sections, so you avoid post-rental fines for unpassed electronic lanes. If you drive a toll road without enrolling in a program or paying at the booth, the rental company will pass on the unpaid toll plus an administration fee to your credit card after the rental ends.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses you up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental in Spain.

Spain's AP toll motorways charge roughly EUR 0.08 to EUR 0.10 per kilometre, so on a longer trip through Spain the cashback can add up meaningfully. You still pay tolls normally at the booth or through your rental company's toll program, and then claim the reimbursement after you return the vehicle.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Spain rental:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or invoice showing the toll charges paid

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

In Spain, rental car counters typically place a temporary hold of approximately EUR 200 to EUR 300 on your credit card at pickup. This is an authorization, not a charge, and it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after you return the vehicle.

A few important points about the deposit in Spain:

• You must present a physical major credit card with your name printed on the card. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the hold.
• The card must be in the main driver's name.
• Premium or specialty vehicle classes may require a higher hold than the typical range.
• After you return the car, the hold is released by the rental company, but your bank controls when it appears back on your available credit, which can take up to 15 business days.

Before traveling to Spain, notify your bank of your travel dates and confirm that your card is enabled for in-person international transactions to avoid the authorization being declined at the counter.

Spain enforces strict speed limits across its road network, and visitors renting a car in Spain should be aware that enforcement is among the most rigorous in Europe.

Standard speed limits in Spain are:

• 120 km/h on motorways (autopistas and autovías)
• 90 km/h on conventional roads outside urban areas
• 50 km/h in urban areas unless otherwise posted

Spain uses a dense network of fixed cameras, mobile units, section-control (average speed) cameras, and camouflaged devices. As of 2025, a stricter tolerance rule applies: a margin of only 3 km/h is allowed on roads under 100 km/h, and 5% on roads above that threshold. Fines range from EUR 100 to over EUR 600 and carry 2 to 6 license point deductions.

Importantly, Spain actively pursues fines against foreign-registered and rental vehicles, so speeding tickets incurred during your rental in Spain will be passed on to you by the rental company, often with an additional administration fee. Paying attention to posted limits and camera warning signs throughout Spain is essential.

Yes, several cities in Spain have established low-emission zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones, or ZBE) that restrict access for higher-polluting vehicles, particularly older diesel and petrol cars.

The most prominent ZBEs in Spain are in Madrid and Barcelona, but other cities across Spain are progressively implementing similar restrictions. These zones typically apply during weekdays and may have different rules for residents versus visitors.

Rental cars in Spain are generally modern enough to comply with ZBE requirements, as major rental fleets are regularly renewed. However, you should confirm the environmental label (DGT sticker) on your rental vehicle at pickup, as it determines which zones you can enter freely in Spain. Vehicles without the correct label may face fines if they enter a restricted zone.

Spain does not have a congestion charge system comparable to London's ULEZ. The ZBE restrictions are access-based rather than fee-based, meaning you are either permitted to enter or not, rather than paying a daily charge. If you plan to drive into central Madrid or Barcelona during your time in Spain, check the current ZBE boundaries and your vehicle's label before entering.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your rental car in Spain, either at the time of booking or at the pickup counter.

The additional driver must be present at the counter in Spain at the time of pickup. They cannot be added remotely or by phone alone. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement.

What the additional driver needs to bring to the counter in Spain:

• Their original, physical driver's license (unexpired)
• An IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID

Regarding fees, some Hola Car Rentals rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, a daily fee applies and is paid at the counter in Spain. Fee amounts vary by rental brand.

Only drivers listed on the rental agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections such as CDW and liability coverage. If someone not named on the contract drives the car in Spain, those protections may be void.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful if something unexpected happens during your trip in Spain, such as a medical emergency on a remote stretch of motorway or a flight cancellation on your way home.

The travel assistance benefit typically covers:

• Medical coverage for up to 5 passengers during the trip
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident in Spain
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This benefit does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS). It also does not apply to pre-existing medical conditions.

To use the assistance while in Spain, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorization. You can reach them by phone at +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001.

Please note: this benefit is not available to residents of the United States or Canada.

The standard fuel policy for rental cars in Spain is full-to-full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

Here is how to handle fuel correctly during your Spain rental:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard.
• Use the correct fuel type. Diesel is common in Spain for many rental vehicles, so confirm whether your car takes diesel or petrol before refueling.
• Before returning the car in Spain, refuel within approximately 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full on the way back.
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as proof.

If you return the car in Spain with less than a full tank, the rental company will charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. Returning the tank full is always the most cost-effective option in Spain.

Yes, one-way rentals within Spain are possible, allowing you to pick up a car in one city and return it in a different city, but a drop-off fee typically applies and the amount varies by route, rental brand, vehicle class, and season.

When searching for a one-way rental in Spain on the Hola Car Rentals website, the drop-off fee will appear on the rate details page under the section labeled to pay at destination. This fee is not prepaid and must be paid at the counter in Spain at pickup.

A few things to keep in mind for one-way rentals in Spain:

• Short routes between nearby cities or between an airport and its city center may carry no drop-off fee at all.
• Longer routes between regions of Spain, such as Madrid to Barcelona or Malaga to Bilbao, typically carry a fee.
• Cross-border one-ways, for example returning the car in Portugal or France after picking up in Spain, may require prior approval from the rental company and often carry higher fees or restrictions.

If you need to change your return location after booking, contact support promptly, as changes may reprice the rental and affect the drop-off fee.

Rental car pickup in Spain varies by airport, and knowing what to expect at each location helps you avoid delays after landing.

At Alicante Airport, several rental brands have desks inside the Arrivals Hall. From there, an underground walkway leads to the airport car park where vehicles are collected. Other suppliers operate from off-site depots reached by shuttle bus from Level P-2 or the Passenger Reception Area, with a drive of roughly 4 to 5 minutes.

At Malaga Airport, most major brands have on-site or nearby counters, making it one of the more straightforward pickups in Spain.

At Madrid-Barajas Airport, rental desks are located on-site within the terminal complex. Madrid is a good choice if you need an automatic transmission vehicle, as the fleet tends to be larger there.

At Palma de Mallorca Airport and Barcelona-El Prat, a mix of on-terminal counters, shuttle buses to nearby depots, and meet-and-greet services are available depending on the supplier.

Meet-and-greet pickups are offered by some suppliers at Valencia and Alicante airports in Spain, where a representative meets you at a designated arrivals point and handles the paperwork and vehicle handover directly, bypassing the counter queue.

In all cases, confirm your operating brand on your booking confirmation and follow the car rental signage inside the terminal in Spain.

Yes, drivers under 25 years old are subject to a young driver surcharge when renting a car in Spain, and the minimum rental age at most locations in Spain is 21.

Surcharge amounts vary by rental brand in Spain. As one example, Wiber charges EUR 9.00 per day for drivers aged 21 to 24, up to a maximum of EUR 90 per rental. Other brands operating in Spain apply their own daily rates and caps, so the exact amount depends on which partner you book with.

A few additional points for younger drivers renting in Spain:

• Most brands in Spain require a minimum of 12 months of license holding history at the time of pickup.
• Some vehicle categories, such as larger SUVs or premium cars, may have a higher minimum age requirement of 25 in Spain regardless of the brand.
• The young driver surcharge is paid at the counter in Spain and is not included in your prepaid booking total.

If you are between 21 and 24 and planning to rent in Spain, factor this daily surcharge into your total Budget when comparing rates.