If you intend to travel with your rental car from the UK across to mainland Europe - for example from UK to France, Germany, or Belgium – you may be allowed to drive, although you will need to tell the rental company in advance. VroomVroomVroom has compiled a quick guide to help explain the process of taking your rental car in the European country you want to visit.
Some car rental companies may allow you to take your hire car in several countries of mainland Europe, although some restrictions may apply. Permission must be sought in advance, and failure to do so may cause no permission.
| Car Rental Companies | Cross Border Policies |
|---|---|
 | No vehicles rented from Alamo can be taken out of the UK Mainland except for travel to Shetland Islands. |
 | Renters can cross into: Andorra, Austria, Balearics, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibralta, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey in Europe, plus Uskudar |
 | Vehicles are only allowed to be taken here: Andorra, Austria, Balearics, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus*, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibralta, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey in Europe, plus Uskudar |
 | |
 | Countries which you are allowed to travel to are Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Litchenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Due to a change in the law in Germany, it is mandatory for all vehicles crossing the border into Germany to have winter tyres fitted during the Snow & Icy conditions. Customers will be fined on the spot if they are stopped by police and found to not have the appropriate winter tyres. Europcar UK do not supply winter tyres and any customer wishing to fir winter tyres must do so at their own cost and ensure that the rental vehicle is returned in the same condition as supplied without winter tyres. |
 | Overseas charges will be calculated as the standard rental plus £140.00 including VAT surcharge plus £30.00 including VAT per calendar day. Only France and Southern Ireland are allowed. Advance permission must be sought. Failure to do so may result in no permission. In the event of no permission, no offer of compensation for costs will be offered. Green Motion are unable to provide 'French Air Quality Certificates' to customers wishing to drive in Paris, Grenoble or Lyon therefore fines and potential charges may apply. |
 | Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and offshore islands of the above. Additional equipment may be required for vehicles being taken out of the UK mainland to meet the legal requirements of the country you are visiting. Should these restrictions be ignored, all insurance (third party liability, CDW, TP, PI), if accepted, shall be deemed, null and void. The driver will be held fully responsible in case of damage to or loss of the vehicle and will bear all consequences, including the cost of repatriation of the damaged vehicle. Please refer to "Environmental zones" in the German Rental Qualifications & Requirements if you intend to drive to or drop the vehicle in Germany. |
 | The vehicle selection can restrict travel to certain countries. For a description of these restrictions on admission, the countries are divided into three zones. Zone 1: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and Vatican. Zone 2: Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Zone 3: All countries which are not in zone 1 or 2. Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini are only allowed to enter Zone 1 countries (except of above mentioned car groups). Entry into any country in zone 3 is not permitted. In case of offence against cross border and territorial restrictions all insurances lose their validity. |
 | All cars (other than Prestige & Luxury models), people carriers with fewer than 8 seats (including the driver) and commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonne LWB) may be taken outside the UK to the following countries only: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (excluding Ceuta and Melilla), Sweden and Switzerland. Note that the rental price quoted for taking a vehicle outside the UK includes provision of vehicle documentation legally required (form VE103, which indicates approved drivers and limit of countries to be visited) and European breakdown cover (full policy will be given at commencement of hire - certain exclusions apply). |
*Make sure to read the Terms and Conditions of our suppliers above. Please note also that information above are subject to change and may vary depending on the supplier. Need assistance? Contact our Customer Care Team today.
Learn more about Cross Border Rentals.
Important: