Can I Drive My Rental Car in Another Country?

Most rental companies allow cross-border travel but there are additional policies and fees to consider.

Hiring a car and driving around Europe is an exciting way to explore multiple countries and cultures at your own pace but it’s important to understand the rules for crossing borders with a rental car. Most rental companies allow cross-border travel but there are additional policies and fees to consider. In this article, you’ll learn how to take a rental car across European borders (and the fees involved).

Requirements for crossing European borders in rental cars

Driving across Europe is usually simple but there are a number of rules to follow:

• Permission: You’ll need to inform the rental company of your plans, as it must give permission for cross-country travel.
• Fees: There’s usually a cross-border fee when you’re traveling to another country, so be prepared for this additional cost.
• Time limits: Some rental companies may impose restrictions on the number of days you can drive in another country.
• Vehicle type: When considering vehicle type, it’s good to know that high-value cars are often not allowed to cross borders.
• Insurance: Policies vary when driving across borders, especially with EU policies. You may need to purchase additional insurance.
• Contract terms: Inform the rental company of your plans, as you may break contract terms and void your insurance if you don’t.

Listed below are some of the most popular rental car companies, the countries in which they allow cross-border travel, and cross-border requirements:

*The above information is sourced from the official rental car companies’ websites in September 2024.

Cost of crossing European borders in your rental car

When driving a rental car across European borders, there’s usually a fee involved. This fee covers the extra insurance required to take the car outside the country where you rented it. It's also common to be charged when crossing between Western and Eastern Europe or between non-EU countries.

The cost of these cross-border fees varies depending on the country and the rental company, typically ranging from 20–60 EUR. Some companies also allow you to cross select borders for free For instance, Enterprise allows free travel from Ireland to Northern Ireland.

*The above information is sourced from the official rental car companies’ websites in September 2024.

Dropping off rental cars in another country

You can drop off your rental car in another country but it can be quite expensive due to a one-way fee. This fee is mandatory and varies by company, typically ranging from 220–1100 EUR. Companies like Avis and Sixt offer one-way rentals, letting you pick up your car at one European location and drop it off at another. However, some companies may restrict certain one-way rentals based on the country, so it’s best to double-check in advance.

Crossing borders in rental cars outside Europe

In the USA, Enterprise allows most rental cars to be driven into Canada, though large passenger or cargo vans, exotics and similar vehicles are usually excluded. It’s always a good idea to contact the rental company for details. When it comes to Mexico, most rental companies don’t allow travel without additional insurance. Dollar has similar policies, permitting US rentals into Mexico only if you have insurance specifically covering Mexico.

If you’re using Avis in South America, you can travel from Argentina to Brazil, but only for 50 km into Brazil. Traveling from Argentina to Chile incurs a fee, and you’ll need to rent the car for at least six consecutive days. It’s also important to note that cross-border travel isn’t allowed for cars rented in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

*The above information is sourced from the official rental car companies’ websites in September 2024.