Barcelona car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Barcelona
The best car rental companies in Barcelona are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €22/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Barcelona
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€26/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Goldcar
Full-to-emptyUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
base rate
View Goldcar deal
#7
Record Go
Full-to-emptyUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
base rate
View Record Go deal
#8
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#9
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#10
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Barcelona
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €22 | SEAT Ibiza | 5 |
| Compact | €26 | SEAT León | 5 |
| SUV | €39 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €58 | SEAT Alhambra | 7 |
| Luxury | €82 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Barcelona
Airport — Barcelona El Prat (BCN)
Desks in Terminal 1 (ground floor, arrivals) and Terminal 2B; Sixt is 24/7, most others 07:00–00:00.
Downtown — Central Barcelona
Desks near Sants station, Plaça de Catalunya and the Eixample.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Autopista (peaje) tolls | €2–15 per trip | Tolled roads like C-32 / C-16 tunnels (AP-7 in Catalonia is now free) |
| ZBE low-emission zone | Included (DGT sticker €5) | Driving inside Barcelona’s Rondes; €200 fine if non-compliant |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Barcelona
- Drive on the right; many rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly and book early.
- The ZBE (Zona de Baixes Emissions) covers the area inside Barcelona’s ring roads, Mon–Fri 07:00–20:00; rental cars carry the DGT Distintivo Ambiental sticker, so you’re covered.
- Most Catalan motorways are now toll-free (the AP-7 lost its tolls in 2021), but tunnels like the C-32 and C-16 still charge a peaje.
- Non-EU visitors (US, UK, Canada, Australia) should carry an International Driving Permit plus their home licence for Spain.
- City parking is colour-coded: blue (zona azul) is paid short-stay, green (zona verde) is reserved for residents.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21 (23 at some suppliers), with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Barcelona
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Barcelona?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some set the minimum at 23 and premium categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €10–25/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Spain?
If your licence is from an EU/EEA country, no. Visitors from outside the EU — including the US, UK, Canada and Australia — should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. You must have held the licence for at least one year.
What is the ZBE low-emission zone and does it affect my rental?
The ZBE (Zona de Baixes Emissions) restricts high-emission cars inside Barcelona’s ring roads on weekdays. Rental cars already carry the DGT environmental sticker, so you can drive in without extra steps. Non-compliant cars face a €200 fine.
Are there tolls (peajes) around Barcelona?
Most Catalan motorways became free in 2021, including the AP-7 coastal route. A few tunnels and roads such as the C-32 and C-16 still charge a peaje of roughly €2–15 per trip, payable by card or Via-T tag.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €200–250 is standard (higher for premium cars). It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
What about the fuel policy — should I watch out?
International chains like Sixt, Enterprise and Europcar use full-to-full (return it full). Budget Spanish brands such as Goldcar and Record Go often use full-to-empty, meaning you pre-pay a tank — return it near empty to avoid overpaying.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Barcelona El Prat (BCN) has desks in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2B, and there are central pickup points near Sants station, Plaça de Catalunya and the Eixample.
What is the cheapest car type in Barcelona?
Economy cars (e.g. SEAT Ibiza) start around €22/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan such as the SEAT Alhambra starts around €58/day.
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