To rent a car in Germany in 2026, you primarily need four things: a valid driver’s license, a passport or national ID, a major credit card, and often an International Driving Permit (IDP). If your license is from outside the EU (like the US, UK, or Australia), it must be in the Latin alphabet; if not, an IDP is legally required. Even for US or Canadian citizens, many rental desks like Sixt or Hertz now strongly "recommend" or require an IDP as a secondary translation. You must be at least 18 to drive, but most rental companies require you to be 21, and those under 25 will face a "Young Driver Surcharge." Importantly, the credit card must be in the primary driver's name, as debit cards are frequently rejected for the mandatory security deposit, which usually ranges from €250 to €1,000 depending on the vehicle class. Lastly, if you plan to enter city centers, ensure your rental has the "Umweltplakette" (environmental sticker) to avoid heavy fines in low-emission zones.