Poland Immigrant Info

Renting a Car in Poland

Documents you need, age limits, deposits, fuel policies, and the cheapest ways to rent.

Updated 2026-01-20 · 1 min read

Renting a Car in Poland
On this page
  1. Documents
  2. Age
  3. Firms
  4. Costs (rough)
  5. Fuel policy
  6. Insurance
  7. Tips

Documents

  • Valid driving licence (held 1–3 years, varies).
  • Passport/ID.
  • Credit card in the driver's name (for deposit).
  • Foreign licences: EU accepted; non-EU often need an IDP or translation.

Age

  • Minimum usually 21; surcharges under 25.
  • Some premium cars require 25+.

Firms

  • International: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Budget.
  • Local/budget: Panek, Express, CarFree, Kaizen Rent — often cheaper.
  • Car-sharing (no rental desk): Panek CarSharing, Traficar.

Costs (rough)

  • Economy: 80–180 PLN/day.
  • Weekly deals cheaper per day.
  • Deposit: 500–2000 PLN blocked on the card.

Fuel policy

  • Most common: full-to-full — pick up full, return full.
  • Read the contract; some charge refuelling at a premium if returned empty.

Insurance

  • Basic CDW included; excess often 3000–10,000 PLN.
  • Buy zero-excess (Super CDW) to waive it — worth it for peace of mind.
  • Tyre/glass coverage is sometimes extra.

Tips

  • Photograph the car at pickup and return.
  • Check the damage sheet matches reality.

FAQ

Can I rent with a foreign licence?
Yes, with a valid licence held for 1–3 years depending on the firm. Non-EU licences may need an International Driving Permit or a sworn translation.
Do I need a credit card?
Most firms require a credit card for the deposit. Debit cards are accepted by some but the deposit blocks funds.

Sources

  1. gov.pl — Car rental for foreigners (updated 2026-01-12)

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