Frequently Asked Questions

Aside from the basic rental price, are there any additional charges ?

"Additional charges to your basic rental rate may include: ? Additional Driver charge: when there is more than one driver associated with a rental, the second, or subsequent, driver is referred to as the additional driver. There may be a charge applied for each, or all, additional drivers. ? Young driver surcharge: see our section “Insurance and Protections”. 

Premium Location / Airport / Railway Service Charge: an additional charge which applies at certain central-city, airport or railway locations Any additional equipment: please review our section Special Car Equipment

After hour service: If you pick up or return the car outside the normal opening hours, some countries can bill ""after hours service"". Please check at reservation time. ? Full tank option: in some countries, you have the choice of pre-paying your refuelling service.  Damages & Theft: up to the limit of the waiver excess if this protection has been subscribed to, otherwise up to the limit of the vehicle’s value."

Cash payment and deposit

Cash/cheques: only the lowest vehicle categories may be rented against cash or cheque payment - including the deposit amount that will be cashed and immediately debited; an additional reference - recent utility bill dated less than 3 months - is required, bank account details of the renter and a deposit covering the estimated rental charges and the accident / theft waiver excess has to be paid in advance.

Do I need to check the condition of the vehicle prior leaving the keys at the counter ?

"Yes, and if you found a new apparent defect (not listed on the vehicle statement remitted at time of pick up) you have to inform the Europcar employee for a joint examination. Even if no accident occurred the vehicle may have been damaged during the rental and this has to be indicated to the Europcar employee at the return. If an accident occurred during the rental you must declare it and give the documentation."

Can I extend the rental duration ?

"Extending the rental duration is possible at time of check-out or during the rental itself (according to Europcar acceptance). According to the country of rental, you have to contact or come in person to the nearest rental location .The extension is subject to vehicle availability and extra payment. The additional charges will be payable in the local currency of the renting country. A complementary authorisation may be requested on your credit card. CAUTION : Do remember that you are only covered for the period mentioned on your printed rental agreement."

Fines: Parking Tickets, Traffic Violations

"Parking tickets and any traffic violations are the responsibility of the renter who must pay them before returning the vehicle. Congestion charges or fines received by Europcar after the rental will be charged directly to the renter, including a surcharge for late payment, if any. A Europcar local administration fee applies: this will be charged in addition to the fines."

Do I need to return the car with a full tank ?

"Most of the time, vehicles are supplied with a full tank of fuel. Unless you purchase a full-tank option when you check-out you should return the vehicle with a full-tank. Otherwise, Europcar will charge for missing fuel at the end of the rental. Europcar rates do not include fuel.

In some locations Europcar offers three options:

1) Return the car with the same level of fuel as when picked-up. No refuelling cost applies.

2) Return the car with less fuel than when picked-up and pay a refuelling service charge - higher rate than in service stations.

3) Purchase the refuelling service -option available at certain locations- for purchasing fuel at a competitive price. There is no credit given for fuel remaining in the tank at return time. This option must be selected at the time of the rental."

Lost items

If you need to contact Europcar regarding any lost items, please call the location where you returned the vehicle (click here). However, please note that Europcar can accept no liability for items left in the vehicle ate the end of the rental.

What methods of payment are accepted by Europcar ?

" Credit Cards: Europcar accepts major credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa. As certain credit card companies may not be represented in all countries, it is advisable to verify in advance the acceptance of a given card in a small or remote country and in our Country Rental Conditions. Credit cards are accepted to the limits authorised by the credit card company.

Debit cards are NOT accepted at time of reservation or rental by Europcar ( except Maestro UK issued debit card for pre-paid booking & rental in UK). Europcar charge cards and Full Credit vouchers are accepted throughout the network; on their own, they permit the rental of most vehicle categories. Europcar prepaid vouchers (with a specified value or the mention Group Days Apply) are accepted as means of payment of the rental charges, but they must be accompanied by a credit card for the charges which have not been prepaid (extras, refuelling charge, excess due in case of damage to or loss of the rented vehicle)."

Can I return a vehicle to another station or to another country than the one where I rented it? How much does it cost ?

"If you want to return the vehicle to different station from the station where you start your rental, just choose the corresponding stations when you “start a quickquote” on the first page of the Europcar web site. The system will automatically answer you if the route you have chosen is possible and the corresponding price including the one way charge, if any. Domestic one ways are generally possible inside the same country between all stations, except between mainland and islands and vice-versa. Europcar operates a large network of international key cities in order to allow flexible cross border travelling. In smaller locations you will be required to pay a higher price."

What happens if the one-way isn’t authorised but I do not return the vehicle to the departure station ?

If you return the vehicle to a different station when you have booked on a rate which does not allow the one way, you will be then charged a higher rate.

Can I return the vehicle outside the location opening hours?

Yes, you may return your vehicle when the Europcar location is closed, but please check return facilities when picking up the car. That is to say, please ask if a key return box is available at the check-in station.

CAUTION: The vehicle will remain your responsibility until it has been checked by a Europcar representative.

Can payment be made at a given station and the car rented at another one ?

"No. The renter must be qualified at the pick-up location with his own form of payment, valid driving licence, and meet the minimum age requirements. The invoice is issued by the Europcar country / entity of the pick-up location."

What happens if I return the car late ?

"In most cases, Europcar rates are daily rates where a day is considered as 24 hours, counted from the time the rental starts. If you return the car late, your rate will be recalculated, adding an extra day for each additional 24 hours you have kept the car. So if you planned to keep the car for 5 days, then keep it for 7, you will be charged the price for a 7 day rental when you return the vehicle. Each 24 hour period started counts as a whole rental day. In fact Europcar offers you 30 minutes grace period after the 24 hours are up, just to give you a bit more time. So a rental of 24 hours and 30 minutes still counts as a one day rental. IMPORTANT: Remember that your insurances only cover you for the period mentioned on the Rental Agreement you made when you picked up the car. So if you decide to return the car later than first planned, please drop into the rental station (or call) to amend the Rental Agreement."