Rent a car in Spain and go on a fascinating journey through this sunny country is a wonderful opportunity to truly discover the diversity of Spanish cities, to feel the rhythm of the life of Spain unrelated, to feel all the power of local hospitality and learn a couple of phrases in Spanish. Rent a car in Spanish, by the way, will be "alquiler de automóviles".

The approximate cost of renting a class C car with insurance and a navigator is 70-90 EUR per day, but there are options and cheaper - up to 30 EUR.

Rent a car on weekends is cheaper. Preliminary booking on the Internet also allows you to save, plus gives a guarantee that the car you choose will be available. Renting a car at the airport is traditionally more expensive. Return of the car during non-working hours is again an increase to the cost. On a car rented in Spain, you can go to the neighboring country of the Schengen area, but in this case you will have to pay extra for "foreign" insurance (cross-boarder). Leave the EU territory on a rented car is prohibited.

Remember that you have the right to request a contract written in English if you do not understand Spanish and Catalan.

Documents, insurance

To rent a car in Spain, you need to have a IDP (international driving license) and a credit card. The driver must be at least 21 years old (in some firms not younger than 23 years) and have a driving experience of at least a year (in some firms at least 2 years). Many companies practice blocking funds on your card as collateral (approximately 500 €). The car must be returned with a full tank.

The rental price usually includes limited insurance with a franchise (from 300 to 500 €). For an expanded or reduced amount of the franchise will have to pay.

Types of insurance in Spain:

  • TPL (Third Party Liability) - limits the responsibility of the driver for causing material damage to third parties.
  • CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) - limits the responsibility of the driver when damaging the rental car.
  • TP (Theft Protection) - limits the responsibility of the driver in case of hijacking a rented car.
  • PAI (Personal Accident Insurance) - sets the amount of compensation in the event of physical damage to the driver and / or passengers.
  • EP (Extended Protection) - limits the liability of the driver to legal claims against him by third parties in the event of significant damage to them (tangible and / or health and life).

The phrase "limits liability" means that your financial responsibility in these cases is partially removed (insurance with a franchise) or completely (insurance without a franchise).

Map of toll roads in Spain Rent a car in Spain
Map of toll roads in Spain

Fuel and refueling

To fill the car in Spain you can unleaded 95th or 98th gasoline (gasoline sin plomo) and diesel fuel (gasoleo A or gas-oil) - please check the rental car necessary for your car. Renting a diesel engine is usually more expensive, but if you plan to wind hundreds of kilometers, it will still be more profitable.

The cost of 95-th gasoline in Spain - 1, 41 EUR per liter. The current prices for gasoline and diesel fuel in Spain can be found here.

When the vehicle is refueling, the mobile phone must be switched off.

Spain, part 1

Traffic regulations

Most of the highways in Spain are equipped with speed cameras. And some of them warn about the violation of high-speed mode by the driver of a foreign vehicle the nearest police station. In this case, the employee has the right to stop the vehicle and issue a penalty, which must immediately be paid.

The use of dipped headlights in the daytime is mandatory only when passing through tunnels. Radar detectors in Spain are allowed, but anti-radars are banned (fine to 6000 €).

When renting a car it is worth checking the presence in it of the mandatory equipment: two emergency stop signs (in which case both should be installed), a spare wheel and a reflective waistcoat (used when leaving the car on the roadway or the roadside). It will not be superfluous to have a set of bulbs for headlights, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

Speed ​​limit in Spain. Location: 50 km / h. Outside the village: 90 km / h. Highway: 100 km / h. Motorway: 120 km / h. The minimum speed on the autobahn is 60 km / h.

In Spain, the use of seat belts by all passengers is mandatory and transportation of children less than 135 cm in height in a special chair or using a booster. Talking on the mobile is allowed only with the use of handsfree, without headphones.

Penalties

Small fines issued by police officers can be paid immediately with an official receipt (for foreigners this is a mandatory requirement, otherwise the car can be detained). But there is also a pleasant moment: 50% discount is levied for payment on site.

Permissible alcohol content in the driver's blood in Spain: 0, 5 ‰. For drivers with experience less than 2 years: 0, 3 ‰.

Some amounts of fines: excess speed - from 140 to 520 €; wrong parking - 90 €; parking under the sign "stop prohibited", unauthorized overtaking, travel to red light - 200-300 €; non-use of seat belts - 150 €; talking on the phone without a hands-free system - from 90 €; violation of the rules of transportation of children - from 90 €; driving on the "counter" - 400-500 EUR.

In many small towns installed traffic lights controlled by radar - in the case of a slight excess of permissible speed on your way the red light turns on.

Spain, part 2

Toll roads

For the use of some roads in Spain will have to fork out. The amount depends on the distance you need to travel. You can pay in cash or by credit card. Be careful - for those locals whose cars are equipped with a device from which payment is withdrawn automatically (without stopping the vehicle), there are dedicated lines marked with a blue circle with white stripes inscribed in a black box.

Also, you will have to pay for the passage of the following tunnels in the province of Barcelona: Cadi Tunnel (5 km) - 12, 26 EUR and Vallvidrera Tunnel (2, 5 km) - 3, 53 EUR or 3, 97 EUR during peak hours (07.30 to 10.30 and from 17.00 to 21.00 on weekdays).

Parking in the cities of Spain

In the centers of major cities in Spain, the number of parking spaces is limited, finding a free place can be problematic. The blue zone means that you have to pay for parking by taking a voucher in the vending machine. Most often, parking is paid on weekdays from 09.00 to 14.00 and from 16.00 to 21.00, and on Saturdays from 09.00 to 14.00. But these rules can change. In some places parking during working hours is impossible without a special permit (Horas laborables).

Parking lots under the ground are called aparcamiento subterráneo, the number of free places or their absence (completo) is indicated at the entrance. Cash payment is located at the exit from such parking.

The Ora Zona system, which operates in some cities, means that you can purchase a parking ticket at a tobacco kiosk or a small store that will give you the right to leave the car for 30, 60 or 90 minutes.

Parking near the sidewalk with a yellow strip around it or Vado inscription is forbidden.

Car rental firms in Spain

International companies: Europcar, Hertz, Avis.

Local discounter: Gold Car.

Rental brokers: TravelJigsaw.com, Rent Spain, Easy Terra.

Car rental in Lloret de Mar: Olimpia Rent.

All prices are shown in June 2012.