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Car Rental in Germany: Find Rental Locations Near You

A live map of car rental locations across Germany, plus a practical guide to what you need to rent, how insurance and the excess work, and German-specific essentials like the environmental sticker and winter tyres.

Quick answer. To rent in Germany you'll need a valid driving licence (an International Driving Permit alongside it if your licence isn't in the Latin alphabet) and usually a credit card. Most rentals are manual, so book an automatic early. Rentals come with comprehensive cover (Vollkasko) carrying an excess (Selbstbeteiligung) you can reduce. Use the live map below to find rental locations near you.

Find car rental near you

The map below pulls live rental locations from OpenStreetMap. Pick a city, type a place or postcode, or drag the map and tap “Search this area”. You can also switch the filter to dealers, repair, EV charging or other services nearby.

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What you need to rent

You'll need a valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year, and most companies set a minimum age of 21 with a young-driver surcharge below 25. Drivers from outside the EU may need an International Driving Permit to accompany their home licence. A credit card in the main driver's name is normally required for the deposit. Note that most rental cars in Germany have a manual gearbox, so request an automatic when you book if you need one.

Insurance and the excess

German rentals typically include comprehensive cover (Vollkaskoversicherung) and third-party liability, but with an excess (Selbstbeteiligung) — the amount you'd pay toward damage or theft. You can lower the excess by buying the rental company's reduction at the counter, or more cheaply with a standalone excess policy in advance. Check exclusions such as tyres, glass and underbody, which aren't always covered.

German essentials to know

  • Umweltplakette. Most cities require an environmental sticker to drive in low-emission zones; rental cars normally already display one.
  • Winter tyres. In wintry conditions, suitable tyres are legally required — confirm the car is equipped if you travel in winter.
  • Autobahn. Some stretches have no general speed limit, but advisory limits and posted limits still apply.
  • Fuel and one-way fees. Return the tank as agreed, and check one-way drop-off charges.

Helpful guides

Renting while you decide what to buy? See our buying guides, electric vs hybrid if you're trying an EV, and the full directory for everything else nearby.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to rent a car in Germany?
A valid driving licence (usually held for at least a year) and normally a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. Drivers from outside the EU may need an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence.
Are rental cars in Germany manual or automatic?
Most rental cars in Germany have a manual gearbox. Automatics are available but fewer and usually more expensive, so book one in advance if you need it.
What is the Selbstbeteiligung?
It's the insurance excess — the amount you'd pay toward damage or theft even with comprehensive cover. You can reduce it with the rental company's waiver or a cheaper standalone excess policy bought beforehand. Check exclusions like tyres and glass.
Do I need an environmental sticker or winter tyres?
Most German cities require an Umweltplakette (environmental sticker) for their low-emission zones; rental cars normally already have one. In wintry conditions, suitable winter tyres are legally required, so confirm the car is equipped if you're travelling in winter.
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