Lisbon car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Lisbon
The best car rental companies in Lisbon are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €22/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Search Lisbon car rental
Search Lisbon car rentalCompare all 10 below and book directly with the supplier — no booking fee.
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Lisbon
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€21/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€21/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Lisbon
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €22 | Fiat 500 | 4 |
| Compact | €26 | Renault Clio | 5 |
| SUV | €41 | Peugeot 2008 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | 7 |
| Luxury | €82 | Mercedes C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Lisbon
Airport — Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
Desks in Terminal 1 Arrivals; cars in the adjacent multi-storey garage, a short walk away.
Downtown — Central Lisbon
Offices near Saldanha, Marquês de Pombal and Avenida da Liberdade.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Electronic toll device (Via Verde) | €1.50–2/day + tolls | Using motorways with electronic-only tolls |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €7–9/day (cap ~€77) | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Deposit (credit-card hold) | €200–250 | Held at pickup, released on return |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Lisbon
- Drive on the right; most rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- Portugal has electronic-only toll roads with no booths (just cameras) — you need a Via Verde transponder or you'll be fined weeks later at your home address.
- Lisbon's old quarters (Alfama, Bairro Alto, Mouraria) have steep, narrow streets shared with trams — a compact car is far easier to handle.
- Non-EU visitors don't normally need an International Driving Permit, but one is required if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
- On-street parking is scarce and EMEL-metered by colour zone — many visitors pick the car up on the way out to explore day trips.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Lisbon
How do the electronic tolls in Portugal work with a rental car?
Many Portuguese motorways use electronic-only tolls (SCUT) with cameras and no booths — you cannot pay cash or card at the road. Rental cars come with a Via Verde transponder (about €1.50–2/day) that logs each toll automatically and charges it to your rental. Always confirm the device is fitted at pickup, or you risk fines sent to your home address weeks later.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Lisbon?
Most companies rent from age 21. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of about €7–9/day (often capped near €77 per rental). Some premium categories require 25.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Portugal?
Not usually. EU licences are accepted, and visitors with an English- or Portuguese-language licence can drive on it for short stays. An IDP is only required if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese).
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €200–250 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged. A small extra hold may apply for the toll device.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
Is it hard to drive in central Lisbon?
The old town has steep, narrow streets shared with trams, illogical junctions and scarce parking. Many visitors leave the car parked and use the metro/trams in the centre, then drive out for day trips.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Lisbon Airport (LIS) has desks in Terminal 1 Arrivals with cars in the adjacent garage, and there are downtown offices near Saldanha, Marquês de Pombal and Avenida da Liberdade.
What is the cheapest car type in Lisbon?
Economy cars (e.g. Fiat 500) start around €22/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €58/day.
Nearby trips
