Why is car rental so expensive in Spain? 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.
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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.
1 | Booking your rental carWe've rented cars in most European countries and have always found Spain to be very easy and straightforward for renting a car. From booking our cars to pickup and driving around the country, we have found Spain a great country to explore by rental car.
In order to hire a car in Spain you will need to have a full UK driving licence, an International Driving Permit (if your UK licence was not issued by mainland authorities), your valid passport or National ID card for EU citizens as identification and a credit card to pay for the car hire deposit.
In order to rent a car in Spain you must be at least 21 years old, and for some suppliers you must be 23 or older. Under most circumstances, drivers under the age of 25, are required to pay an additional young driver surcharge, which can cost upwards of €20.00 EUR per day, on top of the agreed upon rental rate.
Use public transportation, but skip the tourist ticketPublic transportation in Spain is affordable, clean and as relatively reliable as anywhere else in the world. Whenever possible, opt for the bus or metro over a cab, but think twice before you buy that unlimited multiday pass.
The bus is the best if you're on a budgetWhile tickets can be directly purchased from the bus driver, it is best to reserve and buy them in advance. Keep in mind that the most popular routes and times tend to get full pretty quickly.
During the first five years of the contract, your rent is updated in line with the Spanish consumer price index (CPI). After that, the price will depend on the negotiation between the tenant and the landlord.
As a general rule, a non-resident can drive a foreign registered vehicle in Spain for up to six months in a calendar year. However for a Spanish resident, it's just 30 days from the date the vehicle first entered the country. In all cases the vehicle needs to be fully legal in the country of current registration.