Most car hire companies in Spain block a deposit on a credit card in the main driver’s name, from a few hundred euros to over €2,000 depending on the company, the car group and the cover you buy. Some accept debit cards, but often the money is then charged and refunded later, not just blocked. The rental company’s own zero-excess cover is the only way to cut the deposit sharply.
Terms were checked on 18 October 2026.
What the deposit is for
The deposit secures the excess, fuel and any extras. ECC France notes that the deposit is usually equal to the excess. On a credit card, the amount is blocked and released after the return. On a debit card, it is often taken from your account and paid back later.
Brokers say the same thing about the desk. Discover Cars writes that most suppliers require a credit card in the main driver’s name, usually Visa or Mastercard. Rentalcars.com’s terms require a credit card in the main driver’s own name with enough funds for the deposit. EconomyBookings does not accept debit, prepaid, Electron, Maestro or virtual cards for the deposit.
Deposits by company
The table shows deposits for direct bookings in Spain without the company’s own cover, as written in each company’s terms.
| Company | Deposit without own cover | With own cover | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldcar | €950 (small/mini) to €2,000 (full size, premium), plus a fuel deposit | €300 with Relax; €0 excess deposit with Super Relax or Mega Relax Plus | Terms of 25 September 2026 |
| Centauro | €1,200 to €2,200 in Spain (equals the excess); €1,200 to €1,900 in Portugal | No deposit with Smart cover, but a deposit “may” still be required | Conditions V06JUN/2026 |
| Sixt | €300 for most groups, €500, €750, or €2,000 for sports and luxury | Not stated per cover | Conditions version 16.10.2026 |
| Europcar | €500 prepaid; rental price + €500 if not prepaid; €3,000 premium/luxury | €100 with zero-excess protection; €300 with medium protection | Deposit policy and 2024 terms |
| Avis | Rental price + €200, minus anything prepaid | Not stated | Avis Spain FAQ |
| OK Mobility | Varies by category; amount not published on pages we could read | — | OK Mobility help centre |
Amounts change and can differ by station. Check the deposit on your voucher before you pay.
Credit card or debit card
| Company | Debit card for the deposit? |
|---|---|
| Goldcar | Yes per the terms (Visa/Mastercard); the deposit is charged to a debit card and returned within 15 days. The Málaga Airport page says debit cards are not accepted, which conflicts with the terms |
| Centauro | Prepayment by debit is accepted. If you pay at the desk in Spain or Portugal, the excess deposit must be on a credit card, “NOT DEBIT” |
| Sixt | Yes: credit and debit cards accepted; a debit card or cash deposit is charged, not blocked. Prepaid cards are not accepted |
| Europcar | The Spanish payment table lists Visa and Mastercard debit cards. The Gran Canaria Airport page says debit cards are not accepted, so station rules differ |
| Avis | At Alicante Airport, Visa and Mastercard debit cards are accepted, with exceptions for some higher-value cars. Other stations: not confirmed |
| OK Mobility | No. The excess hold is by credit card only. With only a debit card you must buy OK Premium Cover |
If you only have a debit card, book a company and station that clearly accept it, and expect to buy the desk cover. Ask the station by email if the pages disagree.
Does excess insurance lower the deposit?
Broker or standalone excess insurance does not lower the deposit. Discover Cars and EconomyBookings both say their Full Coverage leaves the supplier’s deposit unchanged. The Malta European Consumer Centre says the same: with broker cover, the full excess is blocked on your card, and the rental company may reduce it only if you buy its own cover.
Pros
- Broker or standalone cover usually costs less
- Desk cover cuts the deposit to €0–€300 at Goldcar and to €100 at Europcar
Cons
- With broker cover you still need a high credit card limit
- Desk cover costs more per day
Read our excess insurance guide for how the three types of cover compare.
Fees and the Avis fine
The deposit can also be used for charges after the rental, such as fuel or fines. In August 2026, Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 fined Avis €1,000,000, the maximum for a “very serious” breach. Avis had charged customers €33.88 to €45 as administrative fees for handling traffic fines, after a 2020 court ruling in Vitoria-Gasteiz had declared the clause abusive. The decision ends the administrative route and can be appealed in court.
Earlier, in July 2025, the Spanish consumer group OCU complained to the ministry about Centauro, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz and Sixt, citing unclear and “disproportionate” deposits among other issues. No result had been published when we checked.
CEC-España advises checking the deposit or card pre-authorisation before signing the contract. If you are charged something improper, complain in writing to the rental company, then contact the European Consumer Centre in your country. CEC-España also notes you can ask your bank to refund improper charges.
Next step
See the deposit and card rules for each offer before you book. Compare prices for Málaga Airport on Discover Cars and check the deposit amount on the offer page. Prices change hourly, so compare live prices. Our Málaga Airport guide, fuel policy guide and rules guides cover the rest.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the car hire deposit in Spain?
It depends on the company and the car group. According to the terms we checked, Avis blocks the rental price plus €200, Sixt from €300, Europcar €500, Centauro €1,200 to €2,200 and Goldcar €950 to €2,000 without its own cover.
Can I hire a car in Spain with a debit card?
Sometimes. Goldcar's terms, Sixt's conditions and Europcar's Spanish payment table accept Visa and Mastercard debit cards, but the deposit may be charged rather than blocked. OK Mobility and EconomyBookings require a credit card for the deposit. Station rules vary.
Does broker full coverage remove the deposit?
No. Discover Cars and EconomyBookings say their Full Coverage does not remove the rental company's deposit. Only the rental company's own cover can reduce it.
How long does it take to get the deposit back?
Goldcar's terms say a deposit charged to a debit card is returned within 15 days after return. OK Mobility says a hold can take 14 to 31 days to be released. Your bank's processing time adds to this.
Can a rental company charge fees for traffic fines?
Spain's consumer authority fined Avis €1,000,000 in August 2026 for charging customers €33.88 to €45 as administrative fees for handling traffic fines. The decision can be appealed in court.
Sources
- Goldcar Spain — Terms and Conditions (REV CCS 25.09.2026)
- Centauro — Rental conditions (V06JUN/2026)
- Sixt Spain — General rental conditions
- Europcar — Deposit policy
- Avis Spain — Deposit amount
- OK Mobility — Payment methods
- CEC-España — Consumer rights when renting a car
- DSCA — Consumer Affairs fines Avis one million euros
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