What is the deposit amount, and which cards and payment methods are accepted?
A security deposit is required when you collect your rental vehicle.
What is the Deposit and How Does it Work?
The deposit is a pre-authorization or 'block' (not an actual charge) placed on your payment card. This temporary block is held to cover any potential extra costs during your rental and is released upon the safe return of the vehicle, provided there are no additional charges.
The deposit is used to cover costs such as:
- Missing Fuel at return
- Additional Days or Mileage
- One-Way fees
- Damage or Cleaning charges not covered by your protection
Please note: If you've completed Online Check-In, the deposit block may be placed on your card up to 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up time.
Which Payment Methods are Accepted for the Deposit?
The deposit must be secured with a major credit card in the main driver's name.
- Accepted Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club.
- Debit Cards: Accepted in some countries, but often subject to specific local conditions or restrictions (e.g., minimum duration, vehicle category). We strongly recommend using a credit card to avoid potential issues.
- Vans / Utility Vehicles:deposit are generally not accepted.
How Much is the Security Deposit?
The amount of the deposit varies depending on your pick-up country, vehicle category, whether you have prepaid the rental, and any additional protection purchased.
Pick-up Destination | Prepaid Rental Deposit Amount | Non-Prepaid Rental Deposit Amount | |
Belgium, Germany, UK, Portugal | €300 (or £250, or equivalent) | Rental Price + €300 (or £250, or equivalent) | |
France, Spain, Italy | €500 (or equivalent) | Rental Price + €500 (or equivalent) |
Special Vehicle Categories in France (High-Value Deposits):
- Vans / Utility Vehicles: €800 (or £700)
- Standard Prestige Vehicles: (Categories: FFAR, GGSV, FFGR, FGGR, FDAR, LDER, LDAR, PDER, PVGR, PGGD): €1,000 (or £900)
- Premium Prestige Vehicles: (Categories: LFLH, UFAR, UGVD, UTGR, LTGR, GFPR): €1,500 (or £1,350)
For all other countries:
Deposit amounts vary significantly by country and vehicle type. We recommend checking the country-specific deposit conditions for the most accurate information.