Cheap Cross Border Car Rental Portugal – Book Instantly

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Car Rental Companies in Portugal

We work with a variety of domestic and international car rental brands in the country that allows their customers to take their rental cars on one-way road trips. Following are some of the car hire companies that provide their services in the country at the best rate guaranteed.

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Popular Cross Border Car Rental Deals in Portugal

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Mini

Fiat Panda or Similar

From EUR 2 /day

Economy

Citroën C3 or Similar

From EUR 5 /day

Compact

Renault Clio or Similar

From EUR 8 /day

Van/Minivan

Peugeot Partner or Similar

From EUR 15 /day

Luxury/Premium

BMW 5 Series or Similar

From EUR 45 /day

SUV

Volkswagen T-Roc or Similar

From EUR 10 /day

*The prices above are subject to change without prior notice. Since costs vary by vehicle class, dates, supplier, and season, we recommend checking real-time rates to get the most accurate price.

Cross Country Car Rental from Portugal

Cross-border traveling with the hired vehicle to nearby destinations, including Spain, France, Switzerland, and, Italy, is allowed by most car hire companies in Portugal. Here are some trip ideas for your cross border journey:

Portugal to Spain

Portugal to France

Portugal to Italy

Portugal to Switzerland

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the cross border fee for driving a rented vehicle outside Portugal?

The fee for taking a rental car across international borders can vary significantly depending on the destination, the rental company, and the country. Typically, the cross-border fee of EUR 14.90 per day up to a maximum charge of EUR 193.42 is applicable. Some may apply a daily rate with a maximum number of days allowed, or charge more for going to certain countries due to distance or other factors. Be sure to read the rental terms and conditions, as this fee can vary by suppliers.

How early should I inform the car rental company about planned border crossings?

Car rental companies require you to inform them of your intention to cross international borders in your rental car as early as possible. It is preferable to notify the supplier when you make an online reservation, as it gives them plenty of time to get the necessary documents ready. Declaring cross-border travel should be your top priority, as unauthorised cross-border driving can result in the insurance becoming void, and you might face penalties and be liable for the full car value and repatriation back to Portugal.

Is cross border fee included in the final car rental price?

Cross border fee is typically an add-on, hence it’s never included by default in the base rate. In most cases, you will be required to pay the cross-border fee to the supplier at the desk during vehicle collection. For more information regarding cross-country payments and allowances, please enquire with the supplier when picking up the vehicle.

Are there certain vehicle types not permitted for border crossings?

Specific car categories are sometimes not allowed for cross-border travel owing to their expensive insurance and high-risk value. These typically include high-value vehicles like sports cars and luxury sedans, high-end SUVs, large passenger vans, cargo vans, and other specialty vehicles.

Do I need to purchase extra insurance for cross country car rentals?

As basic rental insurance (like CDW/theft protection) often only covers Portugal by default, you might need to either extend your existing coverage for a fee or require a specific cross-border insurance add-on offered by the rental company. A few car rental companies provide the option to purchase special insurance, which might cost you around EUR 15.00 per day up to a maximum of EUR 195.00 per rental for cross-country travel. For more details regarding insurance and coverages, we recommend referring to the supplier’s terms and conditions section while browsing deals on our website.

What documents do I need to cross the international borders in a car hire?

The renter must hold a valid passport, a credit card, and a valid Driving License, issued at least one year before the rental. If the driver’s license is not in the Roman alphabet (i.e. if it is in Arabic, Greek, Russian, or Chinese), it is required to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP). It is important to carefully review the rental company’s terms and conditions before planning an international trip to determine which documentation is required to be fully covered and to comply with local and company regulations.

Do car rental companies permit crossing multiple borders?

Yes, many car hire companies allow you to cross multiple borders during a single rental period, provided you only drive within the stated approved countries. However, based on your destination and chosen provider, an additional charge per country or region or a one-time fee for the entire rental period will be levied.

Which car rental companies allow cross border travel from Portugal?

Many domestic and international car hire companies, including Avis, Europcar, GoldCar, Hertz, Keddy by Europcar, and Sixt, permit driving the rented car from Portugal to nearby EU countries. However, there’s a cross-border fee applicable for such routes, and a written permission from the Supplier prior to departure is also required.

Can I drop off the car hire in a country other than Portugal?

Yes, car hire companies allow you to pick up your car in Portugal and drop it off in another country. Each supplier imposes different restrictions on which countries you can and cannot enter while driving your rental car. Please note that in the case of a one-way rental, in addition to the one-way fee, the cross-border fee also applies, independent of the return location. In most cases, crossing the border into the following countries/areas is allowed: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

Is there any way to avoid paying cross border fee?

Unfortunately, the charges for crossing Portuguese international borders are part of the rental contract; hence, there’s no way you can avoid paying the cross-border fee. Other than cancelling your booking, there’s regrettably no other way around it.

Portugal Rental Cars – Top Locations, Airports and Companies

Covering an extensive network of locations in mainland Portugal, the Azores Islands, and Madeira Island, we provide convenient pick-up and drop-off services for all major destinations in association with top notch brands. Browse all car hire options below and plan a memorable trip.

Top Car Rental Cities & Downtown

Top Car Rental Airports

Table of content

1. Cheap Cross Border Car Rental Portugal – Book Instantly
2. Car Rental Companies in Portugal
3. Popular Cross Border Car Rental Deals in Portugal
4. Cross Country Car Rental from Portugal
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Portugal Rental Cars – Top Locations, Airports and Companies

Editorial Contributor

Meet the Experts Behind the Research

Cathy O’Hara – Portugal Travel & Car Rental Specialist

Cathy is a Portugal-based travel specialist with over 10 years of experience in travel and car rental content. She has spent more than 8 years living and exploring Portugal, covering over 20 destinations, including Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Algarve. Through her hands-on experience, she has analysed 150+ car rental listings and pricing trends, helping travelers find the best options using real data and practical insights.

How this content is created

Based on real booking and pricing data
Reviewed by travel experts
Updated regularly for accuracy

Last Reviewed: April 2026