Car hire with an EU driving licence at Malaga Airport

Airport car rental in Malaga

Spanish airports hand cars over at in-terminal desks or at off-airport offices reached by a shuttle from the arrivals hall. The voucher states which applies, and the shuttle option is usually what makes a cheaper rate cheaper.

For late arrivals, confirm the desk opening hours, whether the supplier tracks the flight number, any out-of-hours fee and how the car is returned when the office is closed.

Car rental conditions

Bring your passport or national ID and a valid driving licence. Licences issued in the EU and the UK are accepted directly; for other countries an International Driving Permit is frequently requested, so confirm it with the supplier before pickup.

The minimum age is usually 21, with at least one to two years of licence held. Drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver surcharge, and premium, SUV and minivan classes can set a higher threshold.

A deposit is standard and is normally blocked on the main driver's credit card. Some Spanish suppliers accept debit cards or offer zero-excess tariffs without a deposit, but that is an offer-level rule rather than a national one.

Check the fuel policy carefully — full-to-full is the fairest and is what most reputable suppliers use. Also read the excess and the exclusions: tyres, glass, the underbody and unsurfaced roads are commonly outside the cover.

Car brands and categories

The catalog covers the main rental categories:

• Economy
• Comfort
• SUV
• Minivan
• Premium
• Convertible
• Electric
• Hybrid

Spanish fleets are built mostly around SEAT, Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Volkswagen, Ford, Fiat, Toyota, Dacia and similar models, with manual gearboxes still common — confirm the transmission on the offer card.

Compare the total price together with the deposit, insurance excess, mileage policy, fuel rule, accepted payment methods and the return conditions.

Airport pickup details

Have the passport, driving licence, booking voucher and the deposit card of the main driver ready before the counter, and photograph the bodywork, glass and wheels during the joint inspection.

On the way back allow time for refuelling near the airport, the return inspection and the walk from the drop-off level to the terminal.

Rental with an EU licence

Licences issued in the European Union are valid in Spain, so an International Driving Permit is normally not required and the plastic card is enough at the counter.

The licence still has to be valid, held for the minimum period the supplier sets and presented as the original — a photo or copy is not accepted at handover.