Can you take a rental car from Germany to Prague?

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.



Yes, you can generally take a rental car from Germany to Prague (Czech Republic), but it is not an automatic permission and usually involves a specific "Cross-Border Fee." Major rental companies like Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, and Avis allow travel from Germany into the Czech Republic, but they often restrict which types of cars can make the journey. Due to higher theft rates in Eastern Europe, luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and VW Touareg are often strictly prohibited from crossing the border into Prague, even if you are renting from a premium location in Munich or Dresden. When booking in 2026, you must explicitly inform the rental agency of your intent to cross the border so they can provide the necessary insurance documentation (Green Card) and charge the required fee (typically €30–€50). Additionally, you must purchase a Czech Highway Vignette (toll pass) at the border or online, as German rental cars will not have one. Failure to disclose the cross-border trip can void your insurance entirely, leaving you personally liable for the full value of the vehicle if an accident or theft occurs while the car is in the Czech Republic.

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Many car rental suppliers will allow you to travel outside Germany without charging additional car rental fees, although there are specific cases in which restrictions or charges may apply. Most commonly, traveling to Eastern Europe with a rental car out of Germany has very specific requirements for this to be allowed.

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With Avis' one-way car rental, you can do just that. Pick up your vehicle from one of our offices across Europe and drop it off at a different location at the end of your trip. It's quick, easy and efficient, and it means you can plan your journey exactly as you please, without having to drive full circle.

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Hertz vehicles may be driven to Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, but may only be dropped off in the following cities: Prague, Budapest, Poznan, Szczecin, Warsaw, Bratislava, Ljubljana. Should you bring the vehicle outside Germany, a Cross Border fee of € 41.65 (including tax) will apply.

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The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union's Schengen common border area, meaning that if you arrive in the country by road or rail from another Schengen-member country (including Austria, Germany, Poland, Slovakia) you will not normally have to show a passport or pass through customs control.

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To really see this amazing city, it's best to plan to visit for four to five days. This will allow you to see all the main sites and get a sense of the city's culture. Plus you'll have time to go on a day trip or two since there are many amazing cities close to Prague!

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