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Hertz car hire in Spain
Spain is a country where a rental car can make travel much easier. In big cities, you may only need it for airport transfers or day trips. Beyond them, car hire in Spain gives you the freedom to reach beaches, smaller towns, countryside routes, and regional stops without depending on fixed transport schedules.
The best approach depends on your route. A short city stay in Madrid or Barcelona may need very little driving, while a holiday in Andalusia, Mallorca, or along the eastern coast often works better with a car from the start. So, when comparing car rental options in Spain, it helps to think beyond your arrival point and consider where driving will actually make the journey easier.
Hertz offers pick-up locations across Spain, including major airports and city hubs, so you can begin from a place that fits your plans. If you want to rent a car in Spain, this makes it easier to match your pick-up location with both your arrival and the route ahead.
Top cities in Spain
Benefits from day one.
- Up to 10% off the base rate on rentals in select countries
Up to 10% discount applies to base rates in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Benelux. 5% applies for the rest of the world. The discount applies to the base rate quoted (excluding taxes and any other charges). It does not apply to affiliated rates or rates that are already discounted.
- Add your spouse as a second driver without an extra fee
- Earn points redeemable toward free rental days and upgrades
Points are earned on per day time and mileage charges only. Free rental days cover base rate (time and mileage) only. Taxes, optional extras and any other fees are excluded. One-car-class upgrade applies to Compact, Intermediate, Standard & Full-size rentals with a maximum upgrade to a Premium. Additional terms and exclusions apply
- Skip the counter and go straight to your car
You can skip the counter once your membership is activated after your first rental. Available at select locations only.
Why Hertz?
Reserve direct for our best rate guarantee
Found a lower rent? We’ll match it and give 10% off of that base rate.
Easily modify or cancel reservations
Plans change. Cancel for free up to 2 days before pick-up.
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Everything you need to know about hiring a car in Spain
How to hire a car in Spain?
Booking a car in Spain is an easy task with Hertz. Here’s how you can do it:
- Choose the collection point carefully: Airport pick-up often works well for broader touring plans, while city collection may suit travellers who want to spend the first day or two on foot.
- Match the vehicle to the region: A smaller car may be easier in older city areas and tighter streets, while longer regional routes often call for more comfort and luggage space.
- Keep the first driving day manageable: If you arrive late or plan to stay inside a large city first, collecting the car later can sometimes make more sense.
- Prepare before arrival: Online check-in can help make handover easier, especially when you already know what documents and payment methods will be needed.
For travellers who want to hire a car in Spain, the real benefit usually begins once the trip moves beyond one city. A rental lets you set the pace yourself and shape the route around the places you actually want to visit.
What cars can I hire in Spain?
With Hertz, you can explore a diverse range of vehicles that fit your travelling style and trip routes. Here are some options available:
- Compact cars: A practical choice for city driving, short breaks, and places where parking space is limited.
- Small and mid-size cars: A good fit for couples, smaller families, and intercity travel where comfort matters but a larger car is not necessary.
- Larger cars and estates: Better for longer stays, extra luggage, shopping, or routes where added boot space makes the trip easier.
- SUVs and crossovers: Useful for family holidays, longer touring plans, and trips where extra room and a higher driving position matter more.
- People carriers and vans: A sensible option for larger groups, airport collections with several bags, and travel where everyone needs to stay in one vehicle.
Vehicle availability may vary by location and dates.
Are there any restrictions on hiring a car in the country?
To hire a car in Spain with Hertz, drivers usually need a valid driving licence held for at least one year. In most cases, the driver must be at least 25, though some vehicle categories may allow younger drivers with an additional young driver surcharge.
At pick-up, the main driver should bring their driving licence, passport or national ID, and the payment card used for the booking. If the licence was issued outside the standard accepted formats, an International Driving Permit may also be needed.
For larger, premium, or speciality vehicles, age and licence requirements may be stricter, so it is best to check the terms for your chosen car before booking.
Driving tips for Spain
Driving in Spain is generally straightforward, but local access rules and city conditions can make a difference.
- Drive on the right and overtake on the left.
- Some major routes include toll sections, especially on longer intercity drives.
- Historic centres and larger cities may have traffic restrictions or low-emission access rules, so check signs before entering.
- Parking rules vary by city and by zone, particularly in central districts and coastal destinations.
- Outside the larger cities, driving often feels easier and more relaxed, especially on regional and coastal routes.
Best places to visit in Spain
Hertz car rental in Spain makes numerous beautiful places highly accessible for exploration. Some of them include:
- Madrid and central Spain: Madrid is often easier to handle on foot and by metro at first, but a car becomes more useful once the trip moves into wider central Spain or nearby historic cities.
- Barcelona and Catalonia: Barcelona itself does not need a car for the inner city, but a rental helps once the route opens into coastal towns, countryside drives, or onward regional travel.
- Andalusia: One of the clearest reasons to rent a car in Spain. Cities such as Seville, Málaga, Granada, and Córdoba become easier to connect when the route is planned by road.
- Valencia and the east coast: A great option for travellers combining city time with beaches, smaller coastal stops, and a more flexible regional plan.
- Mallorca: One of the islands that is best explored with a rental, especially when the goal is to move beyond one resort base and see more of the island at your own pace.
- Northern Spain: Routes through Bilbao and the wider north suit travellers who want a less standard Spain itinerary with more regional variety.
Where to hire a car in the country?
Hertz offers several pick-up locations across Spain. Here are some of the most practical starting points:
Major city and airport Pick-Up
- Madrid: A strong base for central Spain, with airport and city collection points that suit both shorter stays and wider routes.
- Barcelona: A practical starting point for Catalonia itineraries and coastal onward travel.
- Valencia: Useful for east-coast trips that combine city access with regional driving.
Southern Spain
- Málaga: One of the clearest gateways for Andalusia and Costa del Sol travel.
- Seville: A good starting point for inland Andalusia and city-to-city touring in the south.
- Alicante: A practical coastal base for routes built around the southeastern shoreline.
Islands and Regional Gateways
- Palma de Mallorca: One of the most useful airport collections for island travel, especially when the stay includes more than one area.
- Bilbao: A strong northern pick-up point for travellers exploring a different side of Spain.
FAQs about car hire
What do I need to bring with me for a Hertz car rental in Spain?
Carry along your valid driving licence, a passport or national ID, and the payment card linked to the booking. The card should normally be in the main driver’s name. Depending on where your licence was issued, you may also need an International Driving Permit, so it is worth checking that before departure.
What are the age restrictions to rent a car with Hertz in Spain?
To rent a car with Hertz in Spain, drivers generally need to be at least 25. Some vehicle categories may allow younger drivers, but a young driver surcharge can apply if the renter or additional driver is under 25. Age requirements may also vary by vehicle group, so check the terms for your chosen car before booking.
What types of payment does Hertz allow when hiring a car in Spain?
At pick-up, the main driver is generally expected to present the payment card required by the booking in their own name. Payment rules can differ by location and vehicle type, so reviewing the reservation terms before travel is always a sensible step.
Does Hertz car rental come with a full tank of fuel?
Fuel policy depends on the reservation and the vehicle category selected. Before collecting the car, check the booking details carefully so you know the expected return condition and whether any refuelling charges could apply.
What is Hertz’s cancellation policy for car rentals in Spain?
Cancellation terms depend on the rate selected when the reservation is made. Before travel, read the final booking conditions so you know whether any fees apply if you cancel or if the vehicle is not collected.
Rent an electric car in Spain
Looking for a greener way to explore Spain? Hertz offers electric car hire at Spain, making sustainable travel easy and convenient. Choose from the latest EV models and enjoy a smooth, quiet, eco-friendly drive with zero emissions. Experience the future of driving.