Car rental in Europe for a road trip: Can you cross borders freely?
A European road trip is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the continent and discover as many places as you can in only a few days. With many countries located very closely together, cross-border driving is something very common.
However, if you are now planning your road trip and you are about to rent a car, you may wonder: Renting a car in Europe for a road trip, can I cross borders freely or are there restrictions and extra fees?
The short answer is yes, cross-border travel is usually allowed in Europe, but there are rules and in some cases restrictions you should know.
The general rule
Generally, in Europe cross-border travel with rental car is allowed, especially within the Schengen Area, where border controls are minimal or non-existent. For example, driving from France to Germany, Italy to Austria, or Spain to Portugal is generally permitted, provided this is allowed in your rental agreement and is included in car insurance.
Countries without restrictions
Western and Central European countries are commonly grouped together in rental agreements as countries where you can freely drive across the border. Travel between countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark and Sweden is usually permitted with minimal restrictions.
However, also in these cases, you may need:
- A cross-border fee
- Authorization noted in the rental agreement
- Insurance adjustments to cover all countries.
Countries with stricter rules
Some destinations come with stricter rules. Eastern and Southeastern European countries, such as Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, are allowed only with special permission.
In these cases, theft risk is considered higher, the roadside infrastructure is limited and insurance constraints may appear.
This is why you should discuss cross-border before car hire in order to adjust your insurance and the rental agreement.
Please remember that driving cross-border without authorization is one of the fastest ways to lose all insurance coverage.
See Abbycar’s Road Trips ideas & routes.
Required documentation to drive across borders in Europe
For cross-border driving with rental car in Europe, you need following documents:
- Driving license (International Driving Permit for non-EU-countries).
- Credit card in the main driver’s name.
- Green Card (international motor insurance certificate), which is provided by the rental company.
Read: The ultimate road trip checklist: All you need for a safe and happy journey
What to do when you plan a cross-border road trip
For a smooth road trip in Europe, these tips are particularly important when it comes to car rental:
- Declare all countries you plan to visit
- Read the cross-border policy for each car you plan to rent.
- Ask specifically about insurance validity and deductibles.
- Confirm whether a Green Card is required.
- Get written authorization.
The key is to inform us about your wish to travel cross-border in order to adjust the insurance and rental policy and be fully covered.
See our wide range of rental cars for cross-border road trips in Europe and start now planning your exciting journey with Abbycar!
Read: The 5 most important tips to remember about car rental for road trip and Which is the best road trip car? The top 5 suggestions regarding your travel style.
