Most car hire problems in Spain are avoidable. The same mistakes come up again and again — often costing travellers hundreds of euros. This guide covers the most common errors and exactly what to do instead.
The most common mistake of all. A headline rate of 5€ or 10€ per day sounds like a bargain — but these rates typically exclude zero excess cover. When you arrive at the desk, the supplier asks you to either leave a deposit of 1000€ to €2000€ on your card, or buy their own counter insurance at 15€ to 30€ per day. What looked like a cheap booking ends up costing far more than an all-inclusive rate would have.
What to do instead: Always read the rate description carefully before booking. Look for the words "zero excess", "all-inclusive", or "full cover". If the rate does not mention these, assume a deposit and counter upsell are waiting for you at the desk.
Prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards — including most travel money cards and prepaid versions of digital banking apps — are not accepted at car hire desks in Spain. Virtual cards are also rejected. Arriving without a suitable card can mean being refused the vehicle entirely.
What to do instead: Bring a physical, named debit or credit card. Standard debit cards from high street banks are accepted everywhere. If you use a digital bank like Revolut or Monzo, check in your app that your card is classified as a standard debit card, not prepaid.
Many damage disputes arise because there is no agreed record of the car's condition at the time of collection. If a pre-existing scratch is not noted on the condition report, the supplier may attempt to charge you for it at return.
What to do instead: Before driving away, photograph the entire car systematically — all four sides, the roof, under the front and rear bumpers, and the interior. Ensure the time stamp on the photos is enabled. If you spot damage not already noted on the condition report, point it out to the agent and ask them to add it before you drive off.
Arriving at the rental desk without full cover already in place puts you in a difficult position. The supplier will ask you to either leave a large deposit on your card or take out their own insurance on the spot — at rates that can be significantly higher than if you had arranged cover in advance.
What to do instead: Book a zero excess, all-inclusive rate before you travel. The cover is identical but the price is considerably lower than counter insurance, and you arrive at the desk with everything already sorted — no decisions to make, no pressure, no surprises.
Most hire cars in Spain operate on a full-to-full fuel policy. Returning without a full tank normally triggers a refuelling charge — often above the pump price, plus service charge. Even a quarter-tank short can result in a charge of €30 to €60.
What to do instead: Fill the tank at a petrol station as close to the return time as possible. Allow extra time before a flight. Keep your fuel receipt as evidence that you refuelled.
Returning even a couple of hours late can result in an additional day's charge at the full daily rate — not a pro-rated hourly amount. This is a standard industry practice across Spain.
What to do instead: Allow more time than you think you need for the return journey, fuel stop, and any queues at the return desk. If you know in advance that you will be late, try at least to call the supplier to let them know.
Misfuelling — putting petrol into a diesel car or vice versa — is an expensive mistake. Draining and flushing a fuel system can cost 500€ to 1500€. Even with zero excess cover, misfuelling caused by driver error may not be covered.
What to do instead: Before you drive away from the collection point, check the fuel cap and hire agreement for the correct fuel type. When you arrive at a petrol station, double-check the nozzle colour before filling.
Some travellers assume that their credit card's built-in car hire insurance removes the need for zero excess cover from the supplier. This is often not the case. Credit card car hire policies frequently have restrictions on vehicle type, rental duration, and geographic coverage. Suppliers do not recognise the credit card policy as a substitute for their own zero excess cover — meaning you still face a deposit requirement at the desk.
What to do instead: Read your credit card terms carefully before relying on them. When in doubt, book a zero excess rate directly — it removes all ambiguity.
Only the named drivers on the hire agreement are legally permitted to drive the car. If an unnamed driver takes the wheel and is involved in an accident, the hire company can void the insurance entirely — regardless of whether you have zero excess cover.
What to do instead: Add all drivers who may drive the car at the time of booking. Additional drivers need to be present at the collection desk with their own driving licence and ID.
Most hire agreements in Spain permit driving within Spain and, in some cases, Portugal. Driving into France, Gibraltar, Morocco, or other countries without written permission from the supplier can void your insurance cover.
What to do instead: If you plan to cross a border, check the hire agreement and contact the supplier in advance to get written approval. See our cross-border driving guide for more detail.
Book an all-inclusive, zero excess rate and most of these problems disappear before your holiday begins.
SEARCH CARSspain-car-rental.com, part of the Bravo Car Hire S.L. group, provides trusted car hire in Spain with full cover, debit card options, and no hidden extras. Backed by Bravo’s reputation for quality and transparency, we make car rental simple at Alicante Airport and beyond.
Read genuine, verified eKomi reviews from Bravo Car Hire S.L. customers across Spain and book your next car with confidence.
