Planning to drive from Spain into Portugal, France, or Gibraltar in your hire car? Cross-border travel is often possible, but it requires advance permission from the rental supplier and may affect your insurance cover. Here is what you need to know before you cross any border.
This depends entirely on the terms of your hire agreement and the specific supplier's policy. Some suppliers permit cross-border travel as standard; others require prior approval; and some prohibit it entirely for certain destinations.
The key rule is: always ask in advance. Driving across a border without permission is a breach of your hire agreement. If you are involved in an accident in an unauthorised country, your insurance cover may be voided — even if you have a zero excess rate. The financial consequences can be severe.
Portugal is the most common cross-border destination from Spain, and many suppliers permit it. Spain and Portugal share a land border, and both are Schengen Area members, so there are no passport checks at the crossing. Contact your supplier before travel to confirm permission and arrange the cross-border charge — do not assume it is included automatically.
Driving rules in Portugal are similar to Spain: right-hand traffic, speed limits of 120 km/h on motorways and 50 km/h in urban areas. Motorways in Portugal have electronic tolls (Via Verde). Hire cars usually do not have a Via Verde transponder, so use the "Foreigners' Lane" (Via Verde lanes marked for occasional users) and pay by card, or settle the tolls after your trip via an online portal.
France is accessible from northern Spain via the Pyrenees or by coastal routes along the A-9/AP-7. Many suppliers permit cross-border travel to France, but authorisation is required in advance and some suppliers charge a cross-border fee.
French driving regulations differ from Spain in a few areas. The blood alcohol limit in France is 0.5 mg/ml (same as Spain). French motorways have their own toll system. Speed cameras are common, and as in Spain, average speed cameras are widely used. In France, it is illegal to use a radar detector — check that any device you bring is compliant with French law.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory accessible from Spain at the La Línea crossing in Cádiz province. Cross-border permission for Gibraltar is less commonly granted by car hire suppliers, and some explicitly prohibit it. Check carefully before planning a visit by hire car.
If permission is granted, note that Gibraltar drives on the left — the only territory bordering Spain to do so. The border crossing can involve significant queues, particularly in summer and on weekend afternoons. Fuel in Gibraltar is significantly cheaper than in Spain, which can make a brief crossing worth planning.
Most hire suppliers in Spain explicitly prohibit driving to Morocco. Ferry crossings from Algeciras, Tarifa or Almería to Morocco are popular, but taking a hire car on the ferry and into Morocco without permission is a breach of your hire agreement. If you plan to visit Morocco, consider hiring a car locally once you arrive.
Andorra is a small landlocked country between Spain and France. Many suppliers permit travel to Andorra, particularly from pick-up points in Catalonia or Aragón. It is worth checking in advance, as Andorra is not part of the EU or Schengen Area, and there are customs checks at the border. Fuel in Andorra is considerably cheaper than in Spain or France, and the country is known for its duty-free shopping.
All suppliers apply a cross-border charge when permission is granted to take the vehicle outside Spain. This charge varies by supplier but is generally in the region of 10€ to 20€ per day for the duration of the time you spend outside Spain. On a week-long trip to Portugal, for example, this could add 70€ to 140€ to the total cost of your hire.
The cross-border charge is separate from the rental rate and is applied at the time permission is requested. Make sure you factor this into your budget before committing to cross-border travel, and confirm the exact charge with your supplier when you request authorisation.
Cross-border travel without written supplier authorisation can void your insurance. Contact your supplier before you travel.
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