Car rental in foreign countries is gaining more and more popularity, this is reflected in the rapid increase in the number of international and regional companies providing this service. Foreigners who come to Spain and visit its capital Madrid often face the need to rent a car. In order for car rental in Madrid to be successful and hassle-free, it is worth knowing in advance some of the features related to documents, the booking process, rental and traffic rules in Spain.
What you should pay special attention to
The first question to think about is the need to rent a car. You need to rent a car in Madrid if you are going to travel outside the city, visit nearby cities or make one-day business trips.
If your goal is visiting attractions or solving business issues only within the capital, then it makes no sense to rent a vehicle. It would be more expedient and cheaper to use public transport services.
Before renting a car, it is worth considering some of the features of this service in Spain:
- weekend rentals are cheaper;
- it is safer to rent a vehicle at the office at the place of stay;
- you should carefully read the lease rules set by each individual company, since there are some differences;
- it is worth considering the presence of a large number of toll roads.
Where can I rent a car
There are two main ways to rent a car. The first one is to rent a car upon arrival in Madrid from any of the companies that provide this service. You can find out their names and addresses at the train station, at the airport or at the hotel where you ordered your room.
The second way is to book a vehicle on any of the rental sites. Nowadays this service is popular and widespread. Among the advantages of online booking is that the car you like and the car you have chosen will most likely be free.
The following sites offer car rentals throughout Europe, including Spain:
- rentalcars.com,
- etaloncar.com,
- economycarrentals.com,
- carflexi.com.
Car rental conditions in Spain
Among the main rental conditions, it is worth considering the presence of an age restriction. To be able to use the service, the driver must be over 21 years old, although some companies set a minimum age limit of 23 years. Driving experience plays an important role. It must be at least a year old.
Attention is also drawn to the presence of traffic violations and fines. If recently a violation has been committed by a driver who wants to rent a car, then this may serve as a good reason for refusing to provide the service.
Booking process
The online booking process is very simple. In addition, it is very convenient for those who are going to pick up the car immediately upon arrival at the airport.
Many car rental companies are located at Madrid Airport.
This greatly simplifies the procedure for receiving a car and makes it possible to immediately go along the planned route.
To book a car, you must indicate on the website the city and place of collection of the vehicle, and then select its model. After that, you need to fill in the driver information and pay.
Documents for rent
Next, it is important to consider the documents that are required to conclude a contract. Car rental is possible only if you have:
- an international driver's license,
- foreign passport,
- credit cards of international payment systems.
Please note that, in addition to the international one, you must also have a driver's license that is valid in your own state.
Car pick-up and signing of a rental agreement
The signing of the lease takes place after clarification of all the information and a personal meeting with a company representative. Before signing the contract, it is recommended to clarify all your questions.
The car rental agreement is worth rereading very carefully. Usually, in addition to the Spanish version, an English version should be issued. If you have any question, you should immediately discuss it with a company representative; this will help avoid problems and troubles.
When renting a car, you must take into account the security deposit, the amount of which varies from 800 to 1100 euros.
The amount of money indicated in each individual case will be frozen on the bank card and will not be available for use until the car is returned.
Most of the companies in Madrid provide the car with a full tank of fuel, which is also charged at the average price in the country. If not all fuel has been used, the cost will be refunded.
In addition to paying for fuel, you must pay a fixed, non-refundable service charge, which averages between 30 and 40 euros.
Next, you should pay attention to the mileage, since the companies set different conditions for this item. In some of them, the mileage is unlimited, in others there are restrictions on the number of kilometers that can be traveled per day. If the limit is exceeded, the fee will be charged additionally.
Car return
At the end of the rental period, the return of the car must be made at a previously agreed location. After the return of the vehicle, the block is removed from the amount on the credit card. The deposit, which served as a security deposit, is automatically returned.
The car returns with an empty tank or leftover fuel, you do not need to refuel it.
After returning the car, messages about the collection of an additional fee may be sent to the e-mail address indicated by the client. This may be due to:
- violations of mileage restrictions;
- identified damage,
- traffic violations.
Cost and lease terms
The rental price primarily depends on how long the car is taken. Car rental prices in Madrid start at € 17 per day.
The following system of discounts is in effect: the more rental days, the cheaper the total cost.
You can rent a car for any period of time, and it is often possible to extend the contract.
The second significant factor that affects the pricing policy is the car brand. The higher the class of the car, the higher the rental price.
The third factor is the place of collection and return. If the vehicle is returned to the office of another city or country, the price rises.
Additional services include: ordering special equipment (child seats from 8 euros, navigator from 10 euros) and adding another driver (from 5 euros). Prices shown are current as of September 2021.
The cost of car rental in Madrid includes:
- local taxes,
- road taxes,
- cover in case of theft and accident.
The last point is basic CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance, which includes a certain deductible. This means that in the event of a theft or an accident, the company collects part of the money from the client.
Car rental in Madrid must be provided with full insurance. If you wish, you can order extended Super CDW insurance, which covers the damage in full.
Traffic regulations in Madrid
Traffic rules in Spain are strict and must be followed.Autobahns in most cases are equipped with special speed cameras. The system works as follows: sensors on the camera notify the police station about the violation, after which the police have every right to stop the offender's car and request a monetary penalty, which will have to be paid directly on the spot.
Before leaving in your rented car, check if you have the following mandatory items:
- two emergency stop signs,
- reflective vest (used if there is a need to go out onto the road or shoulder),
- spare wheel,
- first aid kit,
- fire extinguisher,
- bulbs for headlights.
All passengers are required to use seat belts. Drivers are strictly prohibited from speaking on their mobile phones, but hands-free communication is allowed.
Parking in Madrid
The capital of Spain, like many metropolitan areas, is characterized by two main features: the excellent quality of the roads and the lack of free parking space. Parking in Madrid is divided into underground and surface, as well as paid and free. They have different colors and time limits.
Conclusion
Renting a car in Madrid for tourist or business purposes is an option that guarantees much more mobility, comfort and a significant number of opportunities.
To get an exceptionally positive experience, you should book a car online in advance and carefully study the terms of its rental, the features of parking in Madrid, as well as follow the traffic rules.
