What documents do you need to rent a car in Spain?
To rent a car in Spain, it is not enough to simply choose a vehicle, pay for the booking and arrive at the office with the confident face of someone who thinks everything is already sorted. At vehicle pick-up, the rental company must check the documents, driving licence, card for the deposit, main driver details and booking conditions.
If a document is missing, expired, issued to another person or exists only as a photo on a phone, the vehicle may not be handed over. And no, this is not because the office staff dream of ruining someone’s holiday. The rental agreement, deposit and coverage conditions require specific documents. Paper, plastic, originals - the old world is still clinging to life.
In this article, we explain what documents are needed to rent a car in Spain, which card is required for the deposit, which driving licences may be accepted, what an additional driver needs and what to check before collecting a vehicle in Malaga, Malaga Airport, Marbella and Alicante.
Why should you check the documents before booking?
Documents should be checked before booking, not at the rental desk, surrounded by suitcases, after a tiring flight, with children exhausted and the hotel still waiting somewhere in the distance. If the documents do not meet the requirements, solving the problem on the spot may be difficult or impossible.
Before booking, check:
- whether you have a valid passport or ID;
- whether your driving licence is valid;
- whether the country that issued your licence is accepted;
- whether an international driving permit is required;
- whether the driver meets the age requirements;
- whether the driver has enough driving experience;
- whether there is a physical card in the main driver’s name;
- whether the card is suitable for the deposit;
- whether the name in the booking, documents and card matches;
- whether documents are needed for an additional driver;
- which coverage package has been selected;
- which requirements apply to the selected vehicle category.
The most common mistake is thinking that once the rental has been paid online, the documents no longer matter. They do. Paying for a booking and being allowed to collect the vehicle are not the same thing. The world has once again decided to be more complicated than the “Pay now” button.
Passport or ID
To rent a car, the customer must provide an identity document. This is usually a passport or national ID card, if it is suitable for travel and identification. The document must be original, valid and readable.
A passport or ID is needed to:
- confirm the customer’s identity;
- prepare the rental agreement;
- match the details with the booking;
- check the main driver’s details;
- link the agreement to a specific person;
- check age, if necessary;
- confirm details in case of fines or official requests;
- close the agreement correctly after the vehicle is returned.
A photo of a passport on a phone, a scan of a document or a message in a messenger app usually does not replace the original. Documents like to exist physically. It is annoying, but bureaucracy has never been rich in romantic qualities.
Driving licence
The main driver must provide a valid driving licence. It must be original, not expired, suitable for the vehicle category and issued to the person who will be listed in the agreement as the main driver.
The driving licence must:
- be valid on the date of vehicle pick-up;
- be presented as an original, not a copy;
- be issued in the main driver’s name;
- allow the driver to drive the required vehicle category;
- be readable and not damaged;
- meet the requirements in Spain and of the rental company;
- be accompanied by an international driving permit if required;
- remain valid for the entire rental period.
If the licence expires during the rental, is damaged, difficult to read or does not meet the requirements, the vehicle handover may be refused. Cars, surprisingly, are not handed over under the principle “but I know how to drive”. Humanity invented driving licences for this, and now everyone suffers equally.
Do you need an international driving permit?
The need for an international driving permit depends on the country that issued your licence, the status of your trip and the current rules. If your driving licence was issued in an EU or EEA country, it is usually valid for driving in Spain as long as it is valid and the driver meets the age requirements.
If the licence was issued outside the EU or EEA, you should check in advance whether it is valid for driving in Spain and whether an international driving permit or official translation is required. In some cases, the international driving permit does not replace the national licence, but only complements it. This means that, if required, you must have both the original national licence and the international permit.
Before travelling, check:
- the country that issued the driving licence;
- whether the licence is valid in Spain;
- whether an international driving permit is required;
- whether an official translation is needed;
- whether the details in the licence and passport match;
- whether the licence is still valid;
- whether the licence category matches the vehicle;
- whether restrictions apply to Spanish residents;
- whether licence exchange is required for long-term residence;
- whether the rental company accepts your documents for rental.
This point should be checked especially carefully if the licence was issued in the USA, the UK, Latin America, Russia, Ukraine, countries in the Middle East, Asia or other countries outside the EU. The line between “yes, you may drive” and “unfortunately, no” does not always run where humans would find it convenient.
Card in the main driver’s name
For car rental, the card used for the deposit usually must be physical, valid and issued in the name of the main driver. This is one of the most important points, because without a suitable card the vehicle may not be handed over, even if the passport, driving licence and paid booking are all present.
The card is needed for:
- placing the deposit;
- confirming the financial guarantee under the agreement;
- checking the main driver’s name;
- possible additional charges according to the rental conditions;
- closing financial obligations after return;
- meeting the requirements of the selected rental package;
- meeting the conditions of the vehicle category;
- confirming the customer’s payment capacity.
The card of a spouse, parent, friend, boss, patron saint or “the person who paid for everything” is usually not suitable for the deposit if the main driver is someone else. The agreement does not recognise family closeness. It recognises the name on the card.
Credit card or debit card
The type of card matters. For some packages and vehicle categories, a physical credit card in the main driver’s name may be specifically required. In other cases, a debit card may be accepted under additional conditions, but the deposit is usually charged rather than simply blocked.
At SOLO rent a car, conditions may depend on the package, vehicle category, rental duration and card type:
- for rentals of up to 12 days inclusive, the deposit on a credit card is usually blocked as a pre-authorisation;
- for rentals of 13 days or more, the deposit may be charged;
- when using a debit card, if accepted, the deposit is usually charged;
- for some packages, a physical credit card may be required;
- for Select, a physical credit card in the main driver’s name is usually required;
- for Luxury Elite, two physical credit cards in the main driver’s name may be required;
- conditions may differ depending on the vehicle category;
- requirements should be checked before booking.
The mistake “I have a debit card, so everything is fine” can cost time and nerves. A debit card may sometimes be accepted, but not always and not under every set of conditions. A bank card is a small rectangle capable of ruining a holiday faster than bad weather.
Why is a virtual card not suitable for the deposit?
Virtual cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and phone payments are convenient in daily life, but they are usually not suitable for the deposit when renting a car. The rental company needs a physical card in the main driver’s name that can be checked at vehicle pick-up.
For the deposit, the following are usually not accepted:
- virtual cards;
- cards on a phone without a physical card;
- Apple Pay;
- Google Pay;
- third-party cards;
- prepaid cards;
- cards without the cardholder’s name, if this matters under the conditions;
- cash;
- bank transfer;
- payment link.
This does not mean modern payment methods are useless. They simply do not solve the deposit requirement. The phone may be smart, the card may be stylish, but if the agreement requires a physical card, NFC magic will not help. Civilisation has come a long way, but not that far.
Can you pay for the rental with one card and leave the deposit with another?
Paying the rental cost and placing the deposit are two different things. In some cases, the rental may be paid with one card, by bank transfer, payment link or another allowed method, but the deposit must still be placed with a suitable physical card in the main driver’s name.
This matters if:
- another person pays for the rental;
- the booking has been paid online in advance;
- the main driver is not the holder of the payment card;
- the main driver must place the deposit personally;
- a corporate card is used;
- the customer wants to pay the rental in cash;
- the customer wants to use a payment link;
- the payment card is different from the deposit card;
- the main driver arrives without a physical card;
- a package with strict card requirements has been selected.
The main rule is simple: for the deposit, the main driver’s card matters. You can pay the rental in advance and still not receive the vehicle if the main driver does not have a suitable card for the deposit. This is one of those rare cases where “but I already paid” is not a magic spell.
Documents for an additional driver
If someone other than the main driver will drive the vehicle, additional drivers must be added to the agreement. Each additional driver must provide their own documents and meet the rental requirements.
An additional driver usually needs:
- valid driving licence;
- passport or ID;
- international driving permit, if required;
- compliance with age requirements;
- sufficient driving experience;
- presence during contract formalisation, if required;
- inclusion in the agreement;
- confirmation by the rental company.
If a person is not listed in the agreement, they should not drive the vehicle. Even if they “drive best”, “only go to the shop” or “just take over on the motorway”. The agreement is not impressed by family legends about driving skills.
Driver age and driving experience
The driver’s age and driving experience can affect whether rental is possible, the cost, available vehicle categories, deposit and coverage package. A young driver fee may apply, and stricter requirements may apply to certain categories.
Before booking, check:
- minimum age of the main driver;
- minimum required driving experience;
- whether a young driver fee applies;
- whether the selected vehicle category is available;
- whether restrictions apply to older drivers;
- which documents confirm driving experience;
- which card is required for the selected category;
- which deposit is required;
- whether an additional driver can be added;
- whether age affects the coverage package.
You should not choose a car based only on a photo without checking age requirements. The car photo does not ask for a date of birth, but the office will. Photos are generally irresponsible things: attractive, silent and legally useless.
Booking voucher
If the vehicle was booked in advance, it is useful to have the booking voucher or confirmation when collecting the car. It may be electronic, but the details should match the customer’s documents and the rental conditions.
In the voucher, it is usually important to check:
- main driver’s name;
- booking number;
- rental dates and times;
- pick-up office;
- return office;
- vehicle category;
- coverage package;
- additional services;
- child seats, if ordered;
- deposit conditions;
- rental cost;
- special comments or restrictions.
If there is an error in the voucher in the name, time, office or conditions, it is better to correct it in advance. At the rental desk, even a small error can become a long pause. And a long pause after a flight is almost a separate form of punishment.
Customer address, phone and email
When preparing the agreement, the rental company may request the customer’s contact details: phone number, email, home address or address during the trip. These details are needed for contact regarding rental questions, fines, return, forgotten items, extensions or other situations.
It is better to prepare in advance:
- current phone number;
- email address you actually check;
- address of accommodation or hotel in Spain;
- flight number, if the rental is connected with the airport;
- arrival time;
- messenger contact, if applicable;
- details of the second driver, if any;
- information about late arrival or plan changes.
If contact details are incorrect, the company may not be able to reach the customer in case of flight delay, return question or official notification. An email nobody has opened since 2018 technically exists, but in reality it already lives as an archaeological object.
What do you need for car rental at Malaga Airport?
Malaga Airport is one of the most popular pick-up points for rental cars on the Costa del Sol. Customers often arrive with luggage, children, late flights and plans to drive directly to Malaga, Marbella, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Estepona, Nerja or Ronda.
For car rental at Malaga Airport, prepare in advance:
- passport or ID;
- driving licence;
- international driving permit, if required in your case;
- physical card in the main driver’s name;
- booking voucher;
- flight number;
- contact phone number;
- information about child seats, if needed;
- additional driver details;
- understanding of deposit and coverage conditions.
If your flight is delayed, it is better to inform the rental company in advance. Airport does not mean the vehicle can be collected at any time without restrictions. Airports create the feeling of 24-hour chaos, but rental offices still work according to opening hours.
Documents for car rental in Marbella
When renting a car in Marbella, the documents needed are the same as in other offices: identity document, driving licence, suitable card for the deposit and booking confirmation if the booking was made in advance.
In Marbella, it is especially useful to check in advance:
- exact pick-up office;
- vehicle pick-up time;
- parking conditions near the office;
- main driver documents;
- card for the deposit;
- additional driver documents;
- child seats, if travelling with family;
- return conditions;
- possibility of returning the vehicle to another office;
- coverage package.
Marbella is often connected with family trips, hotels, apartments, beaches and routes around the Costa del Sol. That is why it is better to make sure in advance that documents, card, child seats, luggage and vehicle category do not fight each other. The holiday will find enough tasks for humans anyway.
Documents for car rental in Alicante
Alicante is a convenient starting point for trips around the Costa Blanca: Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Guadalest, beaches, hotels, apartments and routes along the coast. But before all of that begins, you must pass the simple but ruthless document check.
For car rental in Alicante, prepare:
- passport or ID;
- valid driving licence;
- international driving permit or translation, if required;
- physical card of the main driver;
- booking confirmation;
- phone number and email;
- second driver details, if any;
- route information, if one-way return is needed;
- information about child seats;
- understanding of mileage and permitted territory conditions.
If you plan a long trip from Alicante, also check mileage conditions, coverage, deposit and vehicle return conditions in advance. Documents open the door to the rental, but the contract conditions decide how calm the trip will actually be.
Common customer mistakes
Most problems at vehicle pick-up are not caused by rare legal details, but by simple mistakes: forgotten card, wrong card, expired licence, different main driver, name mismatch, international permit required but missing. The great classics of the car rental genre.
Common mistakes include:
- arriving without the original passport or ID;
- showing only photos of documents;
- bringing an expired driving licence;
- not checking whether foreign licences are accepted;
- forgetting an international driving permit when it is required;
- arriving without a physical card;
- presenting a card in another person’s name;
- trying to use only Apple Pay or Google Pay;
- thinking a payment link is suitable for the deposit;
- not adding an additional driver to the agreement;
- booking the vehicle for one person while another person wants to collect it;
- not checking age restrictions;
- not checking credit card requirements for Select or Luxury Elite;
- not having the booking voucher;
- not informing the company about a flight delay.
All these mistakes are unpleasant, but almost all of them can be avoided with five minutes of checking before the trip. Five minutes of boredom at home is better than forty minutes of tragedy at the rental desk. Even humanity should eventually recognise the efficiency of prevention.
What should you check before going to the office?
Before going to the rental office, it is better to follow a short checklist. This is especially important if you arrive late, travel with children, rent during high season, choose a higher vehicle category or use a non-standard credit card.
Before leaving, check:
- passport or ID is with you;
- driving licence is with you;
- international driving permit is with you, if required;
- physical card in the main driver’s name is with you;
- the card has enough limit for the deposit;
- the name in the booking matches the documents;
- the main driver can sign the agreement in person;
- additional drivers can provide documents;
- booking voucher is available;
- flight number has been given to the company;
- child seats have been added in advance;
- coverage package is understood;
- return conditions are understood;
- permitted vehicle territory is understood;
- you know the address of the pick-up office.
If any point raises doubts, it is better to clarify it before arrival. In a rental office, time works differently: every minute without the right card feels like a small documentary series about consequences.
Car rental at SOLO rent a car
SOLO rent a car offers car rental in Malaga, Malaga Airport, Marbella and Alicante. To collect the vehicle, the customer should prepare an original passport or ID, valid driving licence, suitable physical card in the main driver’s name and booking confirmation, if available.
Requirements may depend on the vehicle category, rental duration, selected coverage package, card type, driver age, additional services and return conditions. That is why it is better to check all documents and conditions in advance, especially if you are renting a car for the first time, arriving late, travelling with family or choosing a higher vehicle category.
We recommend not leaving documents “for later”. A good rental starts not with the key, but with the passport, driving licence, card and agreement all saying the same thing. A rare moment of harmony between humans and bureaucracy, and therefore worth appreciating.
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