How to rent a car without a credit card (and without a deposit)

Think renting a car without a credit card is impossible? Think again. It might not be the standard option, but more and more rental companies are starting to accept debit cards—and some don’t even ask for a deposit.

At Trabber, we’ve analysed thousands of recent offers and put together this guide to help you rent a car with maximum flexibility.

Can you really rent a car without a credit card?

Yes, although it’s still not the norm. Credit cards are commonly used as a security guarantee in case of damage, fines or unexpected charges. But there are rental companies that accept debit cards, and some have even dropped the deposit requirement altogether.

That’s great news if you’re on a tight budget or just don’t want your money tied up for days.

What do you need to rent without a credit card?

Rental companies that don’t ask for a credit card or a deposit usually have a few conditions:

• The debit card must be in your name and have a chip.
• You’ll often need to take out full insurance cover.
• Some companies may ask for proof of travel (like a plane or train ticket).
• In some cases, extra documents are required—such as a recent payslip or proof of address.

Which companies don’t ask for a deposit? (based on Trabber data)

According to our latest data, these companies offered rental cars with no deposit required in 100% of cases during the past month. Most are smaller, local operators—but they provide competitive prices and solid service:

• Italy Car Rental – Italy
• Top Gear Mobility – Mallorca and the Spanish Mediterranean coast
• Kings Car Rent a Car – Greece
• Always Rent a Car – Argentina
• Lucano Rent a Car – Chile
• Golfauto – Portugal
• Rental Premium – Romania
• Car Motion – Southern Italy
• Matcar Rental – Turkey
• Autos Mallorca – Mallorca

We also noticed that some larger rental companies occasionally offer cars with no deposit required. Based on recent search results, Centauro offered no-deposit rentals in 22% of cases, while Sixt did so in 6.25% and Hertz in 5.37%.

How to find these rentals

The easiest way is to use a comparison site like Trabber, and apply the filter: Only show vehicles with no deposit required, found on the left-hand side of the results page.

Don’t forget to check our tips for finding cheap car hire, and remember—renting from an airport location is usually more expensive than picking up the car in town.

Bottom line: yes, you can rent without a credit card (and without a deposit)

With Trabber’s filters and a bit of planning, renting a car without a credit card is easier than ever. Now you know what to look for, you’ll be ready to hit the road—no credit card needed.

filed under Researches, Trabber cars.