When you rent a car, you are usually required to leave a deposit. Many people wonder why this is necessary, but the reason is simple. The deposit serves as a security measure to cover any damage to the vehicle or in case the car is stolen during the rental.
The good news is that Europcar typically requires a relatively low deposit. Also, the hold placed on your credit card is usually released a few days after you return the car.
Europcar Deposit Details
Deposit amounts, payment options, and refund timelines at a glance.
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What Does the Europcar Deposit Usually Cost?
Naturally, the big question is how much you’ll actually need to leave as a deposit when renting from Europcar. The answer isn’t set in stone, since the amount can vary depending on the vehicle category and the total rental cost.
According to Europcar’s general policy, the deposit is the rental price plus $200. However, based on our research and experience, this amount is often lower in practice. In many cases, the required deposit ranges from around $150 to $1,000 at most.
If you’re booking a smaller car, the deposit is usually on the lower end of that scale. Compared to other rental companies, Europcar’s deposit requirements tend to be pretty reasonable.
How to Pay the Deposit
In most cases, the deposit must be placed using a credit card, and it’s important that the card is in the name of the main driver. That means a friend or family member can’t cover the deposit on your behalf.
If you don’t have a credit card, that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker. Europcar also accepts cash deposits and some types of prepaid cards.
Accepted payment methods for the deposit include:
Keep in mind that debit cards are not accepted for the deposit at the time of pickup. However, if there are any additional charges after you return the vehicle, you can use a debit card to settle the balance.
When Will the Deposit Be Released?
A common question is how long it takes Europcar to return the deposit after the rental ends. If you use a credit card, the deposit amount is not actually charged. Instead, it is held temporarily and only charged if there is damage or another issue.
In our experience, Europcar typically releases the hold within a few business days, usually around five. This is relatively quick, especially compared to other rental companies, which sometimes take up to 14 days to release the funds.