Car Rental Under 25 in Europe: Age Rules & Surcharges Explained

Young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, which is why rental companies impose minimum age requirements and charge daily surcharges for drivers under 25. The rules and costs vary significantly depending on which country you're renting in, which company you choose, and the vehicle category. This guide covers what you need to know before booking.

Minimum Age Requirements Across Europe

The minimum age to rent a car varies by country and provider. Here are the most common rules:

• Most EU countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy): Minimum age 21 with most major providers. Some budget providers set the minimum at 23.
• UK and Ireland: Minimum age 21 with most providers, though some accept 18+ for economy cars with significantly higher surcharges.
• Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland): Generally 20–21 minimum, sometimes 18 for basic cars with steep surcharges.
• Austria, Switzerland: Minimum 18–21 depending on the provider and car category.
• Portugal and Eastern Europe: Minimum 21 is standard.

The minimum age for premium, luxury, and large SUV categories is often 25–30 regardless of country. If you're under 25, focus on economy, compact, or mid-size vehicles.

How Young Driver Surcharges Work

Young driver surcharges (sometimes called "underage fees") are charged per day for drivers below a certain age threshold. Most providers apply the surcharge to drivers aged 21–24. Some apply a steeper surcharge for drivers aged 18–20.

Typical daily surcharge ranges in Europe (2025):

• Age 21–24: €5–€25 per day depending on provider and country
• Age 18–20: €15–€35 per day where accepted at all

On a 14-day rental at €15/day young driver surcharge, that's an extra €210 on top of the base rate. This is often the largest single additional cost for young renters, dwarfing GPS rental or additional driver fees.

Young Driver Surcharges: Lithuania Specifically

For rentals in Lithuania — at Vilnius Airport or Kaunas Airport — young driver surcharges typically fall in the €8–€18/day range for drivers aged 21–24. Drivers under 21 are often not accepted or face surcharges above €25/day. Major providers at both airports include Europcar, Sixt, Avis, Budget, and local operators accessed through aggregators.

Best Providers for Young Drivers

Not all providers charge the same young driver fees. Comparing across aggregators is essential. In general:

• DiscoverCars — shows young driver fees clearly in search results and often features local providers with lower surcharges than the major brands.
• AutoEurope — negotiated rates sometimes include reduced young driver fees. Good for ages 21–24.
• RentalCars.com (Booking.com Cars) — wide selection, but verify the young driver fee is shown in the total before booking.
• Local/regional rental companies — sometimes more flexible on age policies and charge lower surcharges than multinational brands. Accessible via aggregators.

Avoid booking direct with Hertz or Avis as a young driver — their young driver surcharges tend to be higher than what you get through aggregators.

Vehicle Categories for Young Drivers

Stick to economy, compact, or standard categories. Young driver surcharges are per day regardless of the car size, but larger and premium vehicles often have additional age restrictions. Driving a smaller car also reduces the daily base rate significantly — a win on both counts.

Avoid automatic gearboxes if budget is tight — automatics cost 20–40% more than manual in Europe (see our automatic vs manual guide), and manual transmission is standard across most European rental fleets.

Tips to Reduce Costs as a Young Driver

• Compare using an aggregator — young driver fees vary enormously between providers. A €10/day difference in the surcharge is €140 over two weeks.
• Book early — as supply tightens, the remaining cars at young-driver-friendly rates disappear first.
• Avoid premium vehicles — age restrictions are stricter and the daily rates are higher.
• Check if a named older driver can be listed as the primary — if a parent or travel companion over 25 will drive most of the time, listing them as the primary driver and you as additional may reduce the surcharge. Confirm with the provider that this is acceptable.
• Look for deals that waive the young driver fee — some aggregator deals include waived surcharges for certain age bands. These surface occasionally and are worth watching for.
• Avoid insurance duplication — already paying a high young driver fee means you can least afford redundant insurance products. Sort a standalone excess waiver and decline the counter upsells.

Driving Licence Requirements for Young Drivers

You need a full driving licence held for at least one to two years (the minimum varies by provider — check when booking). An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for non-EU licence holders renting in EU countries. If your licence is not in the Latin alphabet (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic script), an IDP is mandatory.