Credit card for car rental:
what actually matters at the counter
New to Germany and planning to rent a car? At the rental counter, your card often decides everything. Most providers want a real credit card — one with a credit limit, in your name. Here you will find out why debit cards often fail, whether your foreign card works, and which card you actually need as a newcomer.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Independent EditorialOur independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.
Key takeaways
- Most providers want a real credit card with a credit limit. They place an authorization hold for the deposit — your money stays in your account, only your available limit drops temporarily. Debit cards are often only accepted for smaller vehicle classes.
- The card must be in the main driver's name. Avis explicitly requires the name on the card to match the driving licence (first and last name) — something to bear in mind if your name is transliterated differently across documents.
- There is no single fixed deposit amount. It depends on the provider and vehicle class. ADAC gives a rough range of EUR 250 to 3,000; billiger-mietwagen cites EUR 300 to 2,300. Enterprise states a flat EUR 250 in its FAQ.
- A foreign credit card works fine as long as it is a real credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex) with a credit limit and issued in your name.
- How quickly the hold is released after you return the car depends on your bank. Avis mentions up to 28 days as an example.
Why your debit card often gets refused at the counter
Many banks issue Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit cards these days. They look just like credit cards but work differently. That difference becomes very clear when it comes to the deposit.
Real credit card: authorization hold
The rental company reserves the deposit amount against your credit limit. The money stays in your account — only your available credit shrinks temporarily. The actual charge, like any credit card purchase, only appears on your monthly statement.
Example: EUR 500 reserved, EUR 0 leaves your account.
Debit card: immediate debit
With a debit card, the deposit is taken directly from your current account and refunded after you return the car. Until then, that money is simply gone. That is why many rental counters only accept debit cards in limited cases, or not at all.
Example: EUR 500 charged immediately, returned later.
Watch out: A Visa or Mastercard logo alone tells you nothing. If your card says "Debit" on the front, it is not a real credit card. Look for the word "Credit" — that is what rental counters want to see.
Will my foreign credit card work in Germany?
Short answer: yes, if it is a real credit card. A Visa, Mastercard, or Amex from your home country is accepted at German rental counters the same way a German card would be — provided it has a credit limit and is issued in your name. Two things are worth keeping in mind as a newcomer, though.
Your name needs to match
Avis explicitly states that the first and last name on the card must match the main driver's driving licence. If your name is transliterated differently across documents — for example because characters like ç, ş, ğ, or ı were converted to their ASCII equivalents — this can lead to questions at the counter. Bring both your passport and driving licence to be safe.
No cash, no prepaid card
Sixt, for instance, does not accept cash, prepaid cards, or virtual cards for the deposit. A top-up travel card will not do. You need a real credit card with a credit limit. If you do not have a German one yet, your existing card from home often works just fine until your German card arrives.
For a broader look at renting a car as a newcomer — with a foreign driving licence and without a German credit history — see our guide on Credit Cards for Foreigners in Germany.
Which cards the major rental companies accept
Each provider has its own rules on which cards it takes and for which vehicle category. The table below summarises the acceptance rules of the five largest rental companies in Germany, drawn from their official FAQs. Conditions may change and can vary by branch — check before you book.
| Provider | Credit cards | Debit / EC | Newcomer note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sixt | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, Discover, JCB | Maestro / V Pay for smaller vehicle classes only | No prepaid or virtual cards. Card must be in the renter's name. |
| Europcar | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners | Debit with co-badge (Maestro, V Pay, Visa/Mastercard Debit) | Plain Girocard not accepted. Premium class requires a credit card. |
| Hertz | Common credit cards | EC and some debit cards, depending on branch | Card must be in the main driver's name. |
| Enterprise | Visa, Mastercard, Amex | V Pay, Giro, Maestro — not at all branches | Larger vehicles require a credit card; driver must be 25+. Deposit per Enterprise FAQ: EUR 250. |
| Avis | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, Discover | Visa / Mastercard Debit; Maestro in Germany only | Name on card must match the driving licence. No Solo, JCB, or Cirrus. |
Sixt
Europcar
Hertz
Enterprise
Avis
As of June 2026, based on official provider FAQs. Conditions may change and vary by location — verify directly with the rental company before booking.
How much is the car rental deposit?
There is no universal fixed figure. Most providers do not publish a specific amount in their FAQs — they set the deposit based on vehicle class and branch. ADAC gives a rough range of EUR 250 to 3,000; billiger-mietwagen cites EUR 300 to 2,300. Enterprise is an exception and states a flat EUR 250 in its FAQ. As a general rule: smaller cars tend to require a lower deposit, while SUVs and premium models require significantly more.
More important than the exact figure is whether your credit limit is high enough. It needs to cover the rental cost, the deposit, and a small buffer. If the limit falls short, the provider will decline the card. Here is an example of how the numbers can add up:
Calculation example: compact car, 7 days (example values)
For an SUV or premium car, plan for more headroom. Tip: apply for your card early enough so your credit limit is in place before your trip.
Real credit cards with no annual fee
You do not need an expensive premium card to cover a rental deposit. Any real credit card with a credit limit will do — the key is that it says "Credit" rather than "Debit". These four cards have a revolving credit limit and no annual fee. Compare the exact terms directly, as they can change.
Hanseatic GenialCard (Visa)
EUR 0 annual feeA real credit card with a revolving credit limit and instalment option. No annual fee, permanently.
easybank credit card (formerly Barclays)
EUR 0 annual feeA real credit card with instalment payment option. No annual fee.
Advanzia gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold
EUR 0 annual feeA real credit card with a revolving credit limit. No annual fee.
TF Bank Mastercard Gold
EUR 0 annual feeA real credit card with an individual credit limit. No annual fee, permanently.
If you do not have a German current account yet, our guide on Credit Cards for Foreigners in Germany covers standalone options. A thin or absent Schufa history makes approval harder as a newcomer, but it is not necessarily a dead end.
Rental car insurance through your credit card
Some credit cards include a rental car insurance benefit — often referred to as a collision damage waiver (CDW) or excess protection. This can mean you skip the expensive add-on insurance at the counter. However, this benefit almost always sits in premium cards, not free starter cards. And there is one essential condition.
The coverage only applies if you pay the full rental cost with that card and you are the registered main driver. This is explicitly stated by easybank, Amex, and Miles & More. Pay any other way, and the protection does not apply.
Examples of cards with built-in rental insurance (coverage and deductible vary by card; check the terms before booking):
- easybank credit card Platinum (formerly Barclays): includes full and partial collision cover; annual fee applies.
- Miles & More Gold: rental car protection up to EUR 75,000 coverage per the issuer.
- American Express Platinum: rental car insurance is included in the card's insurance package.
If you are travelling to the USA, a card with built-in rental cover is especially useful — excess amounts there can be substantial.
Step by step: from choosing a card to picking up the car
Get a real credit card
Look for the word "Credit" on the front. Apply a few weeks before your trip — your credit limit is only set after a credit check, and that takes a little time.
Check your credit limit
Your limit needs to cover the rental cost, the deposit, and a small buffer. Compact cars usually need a four-figure amount; SUVs and premium classes require more.
Present the card at the counter
Hand over the card that is in your name. The rental agent will verify the card type and place a hold for the deposit. You then sign the rental agreement.
Return the car and wait for the release
When you return the car, it is inspected. If everything is in order, the provider lifts the hold. How quickly the funds become available again depends on your bank.
Card declined? Here is what you can do
"Your card is not accepted"
Does your card say "Debit"? Then you need a real credit card. Cards like the GenialCard or the easybank credit card usually arrive within a few working days.
Your credit limit is not high enough
Call your bank and ask for a temporary limit increase. Many banks handle this quickly if you explain the reason.
The deposit has not been released after return
Release times vary by bank. Avis mentions up to 28 days as an example. If nothing has changed after that, contact the rental company. Keep your rental agreement and return confirmation.
If you are a newcomer without a Schufa history, getting a credit card can sometimes be more of a process. Our guide on Credit Cards for Foreigners in Germany explains what options exist.
Find the right credit card
Compare cards with a real credit limit — suitable for car rental and hotel deposits.
Glossary: Car Rental & Credit Cards
Deutsch / English / Türkçe
Frequently asked questions
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Newcomer tip / Tipp für Neuankömmlinge
No German credit card yet? Bring your real credit card from home for pickup. It must be in your name and have a credit limit. Apply for a German card like the GenialCard or the easybank credit card before your trip — the earlier the better.
Noch keine deutsche Kreditkarte? Nimm zur Abholung deine echte Kreditkarte aus dem Heimatland mit. Sie muss auf deinen Namen laufen und einen Kreditrahmen haben. Beantrage eine deutsche Karte wie die GenialCard oder easybank Kreditkarte am besten schon vor der Reise.
Sources
Acceptance and deposit rules are drawn from the official FAQ and help pages of Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis, as well as guides published by ADAC (as of June 2025) and billiger-mietwagen. Card details (card type, annual fee, insurance) are taken from official issuer pages. Research date: June 2026. Conditions may change — always refer to the current information provided by the respective provider.
Advertising notice: This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through these links we receive a commission at no extra cost to you. The acceptance and deposit conditions are based on official provider information (as of June 2026) and may change. meinetarife24.de is a comparison platform, not a credit card or car rental provider.