But, do you need to rent a car during your trip to Spain at all? It actually depends on your agenda and where exactly you're planning to travel. If your main goal is only to spend time in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville or Málaga, you don't need a car. In fact, having one will make your life harder.
The price rises are mainly caused by car rental companies having sold off much of their stock of vehicles during the pandemic as demand collapsed. Now, with people taking holidays again, they are trying to rebuild their fleets, but a global shortage of semi-conductors means they are paying more for new vehicles.
A passport is required, but you won't need a visa to visit Spain unless you plan to stay for more than 90 days. Your U.S. health insurance won't work in Spain, so it's crucial to get comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses ahead of time.
In most of Europe, there is no car rental age limit for drivers over the age of 65. Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom all have all car rental over 80 years old. In parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia there are restrictions or surcharges for senior drivers.