News and tips about car rental in Europe

A 711 euro claim for a headlight scratch, deposits that turn out to be insurance, and EV charging rules: the 2026 summer advice from ECC Germany and Austria.

Winter tyre rules differ per country: France, Austria, Germany, Italy and more. What to ask the rental company, which extras cost money and how to avoid a fine.

Booked the car with a flight or hotel? Then EU package travel rules may apply, with the organiser responsible. How to tell, and what it means for problems.

A one-way fee covers bringing the car back to its home station. Why it is often high across borders, where it hides in a booking, and how to compare it fairly.

The EU's ODR platform shut on 20 July 2025. Why it closed, what replaced it for car rental disputes, and why old links in rental terms now lead nowhere.

Phoning instead of writing, missing the chargeback deadline, angry letters, paying for a discount: common mistakes in damage disputes and what to do instead.

About 300 Italian towns have limited traffic zones. How to spot them, why the fine arrives so late, and how to pay or contest it with a rental car.

Desk insurance, fuel, extra drivers, young driver fees, currency conversion and more. The nine extras that raise a rental car bill, and how to check each one.

Charge level at return, cables, charging prices and time. What the consumer centres advise for electric rental cars, and how to avoid a charging fee.

In 2017, five large rental companies made commitments to EU consumer authorities on prices, terms and damage handling. What they promised, and how to use it.

EU licences work across the EU, old paper licences must be swapped by 2033, and some countries need an international permit. What to bring to the rental desk.

The old coast road to Dubrovnik crosses Bosnia at Neum. What that means for your rental contract, insurance and the green card, and how to avoid fees.

From the first email to a refund, an ECC case or court: the stages a rental car damage dispute goes through, how long each takes, and what you do at each step.

Who the real rental company is, what 'full protection' covers, deposit, fuel and pre-selected extras: seven checks before you pay on a comparison site.

Reports of fast, fee-heavy claims from automated scanners led a US senator to question Hertz in 2025. What is known, and how to protect yourself at return.

Safety first, then the police, the accident statement and the rental company. A calm step-by-step plan for an accident with a rental car abroad.

The European Consumer Centres Network published recommendations on car rental, citing 6,016 complaints. What they flag, and what it means for your damage claim.

An early flight and an empty rental desk: six steps that take ten minutes and protect you against a damage claim after a key box return.

Many rental companies ask for a credit card. What the card you pay with means for the deposit, for later charges and for getting money back.