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15 May 2026 · SunnVio

Car rental in Spain: 7 tips to save money (2026)

Spain is one of the most popular holiday countries in Europe, and with a rental car you discover it at your own pace. Yet many renters pay more than they need to, often because of costs that only appear at the desk. With these 7 tips you know what to look out for.

1. Request your quote well in advance

Demand in Spain is highest in July, August and around Easter. The closer to your departure, the less choice you have and the higher the price. Automatics and large family cars in particular run out quickly in summer.

With SunnVio you request a quote for free and with no obligation, and cancellation is free until pick-up. So securing a car early costs you nothing extra if your plans change.

2. Compare the total price, not the daily rate

A low daily rate says little. At the desk, extra costs are often added: insurance to buy off the excess, roadside assistance, a second driver or a fee for picking up outside opening hours. That way a cheap car can still end up more expensive than an all-in offer.

So look at what the price includes. With SunnVio, all mandatory insurance, unlimited mileage and breakdown assistance are included as standard, and you pay no excess. If the desk still offers you extra insurance, you can simply decline it.

3. Understand how the deposit works

At pick-up the rental company blocks a deposit on a credit card in the main driver's name. That amount can be more than €1,000 and is released after you return the car, although it can take a few days before you see it. So make sure you have enough available credit. A debit card is usually not accepted for the deposit.

If there is damage, the rental company keeps the excess from your deposit. With SunnVio we pay that amount back in full within 30 days, so in the end you pay nothing. Read more about the excess on a rental car.

4. Choose full-to-full and refuel yourself

The fairest policy is full-to-full: you pick the car up with a full tank and return it full. Some rental companies in Spain use full-to-empty. You then pay for a full tank at pick-up, often with a service fee on top, and get nothing back for the fuel you have left. On a short holiday you almost always lose out.

Fill up just before returning the car at a station a few kilometres from the airport; right next to the airport fuel is often more expensive. More in rental car fuel policy: full-to-full explained.

5. Record the car's condition

At pick-up, walk around the car and take photos or a video of every scratch and dent, including the wheels, the windscreen, the roof and the interior. Also photograph the mileage and the fuel gauge. If a scratch is not on the damage form, have it added before you drive off.

Do the same when you return the car, especially if you drop the key in a box outside opening hours. That way you can always show the state you left the car in. A handy checklist is in picking up a rental car: how to check for damage.

6. Know the costs you can avoid

• Tolls: most Spanish motorways have been free since 2020 and 2021. Around Malaga, the AP-7 towards Estepona is still a toll road; the A-7 next to it is free.
• Returning somewhere else: handy for a round trip, but usually for a surcharge. Mention it in your request so you know the cost in advance.
• Young or additional driver: under 25 and for a second driver, many rental companies charge a daily surcharge. Read more about renting a car under 25.
• Child seats: renting one costs an amount per day. On a long holiday, bringing your own seat is often cheaper.
• Parking: parking in the centres of Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga is expensive. Choose a hotel with parking or park on the edge of the city.

7. Choose a reliable partner

A rental company with a desk in the terminal is sometimes a little more expensive, but you are in the car sooner. With a shuttle to an office outside the airport you often pay less, but allow for extra waiting time. On our page about car rental in Spain you can see how many rental companies have a desk at each airport.

SunnVio only works with rental companies we have vetted ourselves. Is your flight landing later? Give us your flight number and your car stays ready until 2 hours after your pick-up time.

Frequently asked questions

When is a rental car in Spain cheapest?

Outside the school holidays, so in spring and autumn. For the summer it also helps to request your quote well in advance. Read more in when to book a rental car for the best price.

Do I need to buy extra insurance at the desk?

No. With SunnVio all mandatory insurance is included in your price and the excess is bought off. You can safely decline extra insurance at the desk.

Can I rent a car in Spain with a debit card?

For the deposit, most rental companies ask for a credit card in the main driver's name. If you don't have one, mention it in your request. What is possible differs per rental company.