Car Rental in Lisbon – Read This Before You Start the Engine

This guide brings together everything worth knowing before renting a car in Lisbon—from getting to the rental desks at the airport, to picking up and returning a car from the city center, the different rental companies, answers to common questions, and local traffic rules. All of it is here to help you rent a car easily and drive with peace of mind throughout your trip 😎

Renting a car in Lisbon is one of the most convenient and efficient ways to discover Portugal’s capital and the stunning regions around it.

Just before you book, there’s still plenty of important info, helpful recommendations, and perks waiting for you right here—come get special discounts for site visitors:

🚗 Click here for information and discounts of around 12% on car rental in Lisbon… 🚗

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Car Rental in Lisbon – The Complete Guide

Lisbon is a city of hills, with plenty of steep and narrow streets. On top of that, it’s a perfect starting point for road trips around the country. Renting a car in Lisbon gives you maximum flexibility, especially if you’re planning to go beyond the historic center. Portugal has many international car rental companies alongside local providers, and the competition in the market makes it possible to find fair prices throughout most of the year.

Many travelers choose to spend two or three days in Lisbon and then rent a car and drive through sites in central Portugal on the way to Porto, and in summer—especially if traveling with kids—head toward the Algarve beaches in southern Portugal, with water parks and countless attractions. In any case, for almost any trip out of the city, having a car makes things much easier.

❄️ Planning to rent a car in winter? Click here for the comprehensive guide that will prepare you for driving in the Portuguese winter…

 

Picking Up and Returning a Car at Lisbon Airport

Lisbon Airport | Aeroporto Humberto Delgado, also known as Portela Airport, is the country’s main gateway. The car pickup process at the airport is fairly organized, but it helps to know the layout:

1. Location of the rental desks inside the terminal: Most major rental companies (such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, and Budget) are located in Terminal 1. After collecting your luggage and exiting into the customs hall, follow the clear orange signs marked Rent-a-Car. The desks are in the public area of the arrivals hall.
2. Companies located outside the terminal: Some low-cost companies and local providers are located off airport grounds. These companies operate a free shuttle service. The pickup point for the shuttles is usually outside the exit from Terminal 1. It’s best to check your booking voucher to confirm whether the company is in-terminal (In-Terminal) or requires a shuttle (Off-Airport).
3. Returning the car: The car return area is next to Terminal 1. Follow the Car Rental Return signs as you enter the airport. It’s important to arrive at least three hours before your flight, since lines at the return desks and vehicle inspection can be long during peak hours.

• Please note ❤️ – if you land at Terminal 2 (used mainly for domestic and budget flights), you’ll need to take the free internal shuttle to Terminal 1 to reach the car rental desks.

 

Click here for the car rental section on Lisbon Airport’s official website…

 

Popular Car Rental Companies in Lisbon

In Lisbon, you’ll find a wide range of providers:

• International companies: Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Budget.
• Well-known low-cost companies: Goldcar, Centauro, Guerin (a very popular Portuguese company), Drive on Holidays.

No matter which rental company you choose, you also need excellent insurance—because you should never get into a car without coverage – Click here for information and perks for travel insurance to Portugal…

Driving in Lisbon: Rules, Key Points, and Important Tips

Driving in Portugal is on the right-hand side of the road, and the rules are very similar to what’s standard across Europe. Even so, there are a few important points to keep in mind:

• Minimum age: The minimum age for renting a car is usually 21, but drivers under 25 can expect to pay a daily young driver surcharge.
• Driver’s license: You must have a valid driver’s license. It’s also highly recommended to carry an international driving permit along with your original license.
• Seat belts: All passengers in the vehicle must wear seat belts, both in the front and in the back.
• Alcohol: Portugal is very strict about driving under the influence of alcohol (limit of 0.5 grams per liter of blood). It’s best to avoid drinking altogether before driving.

 

Click here for the comprehensive guide to driving and parking in Portugal…

 

Toll Roads in Portugal (Via Verde)

The toll road system in Portugal is advanced, but it can be confusing for tourists. Most highways in Portugal (such as the A1 connecting Lisbon and Porto) are toll roads.

• The Via Verde device: When renting the car, the rental company will offer you a small electronic device that sticks to the windshield. It allows you to pass through lanes marked with a green V without stopping. Charges are billed automatically through the credit card you provided to the rental company.
• Tip: It’s highly recommended to take the device. On many roads in Portugal, there are no cash payment booths—only electronic toll collection. Without the device, paying afterward at post office branches is cumbersome and may lead to fines.

 

Parking in Lisbon

Parking in central Lisbon is challenging and expensive. Here are a few important points:

1. Street parking zones: These are usually marked in blue and require payment at parking meters. Pay attention to the operating hours shown on the signs.
2. Covered parking garages: This is the safest and most recommended option. The city has many “Parque” parking garages operated by EMEL.
3. No parking: Never park in areas marked in yellow or in front of building entrances—cars are towed very quickly in Lisbon.

 

Fuel in Lisbon

Gas stations in and around Lisbon are widely available, and most are self-service.

• 95-octane gasoline in Portugal is called Gasolina 95.
• Diesel is called Gasóleo.
• Tip: Make absolutely sure you know the correct fuel type for your vehicle before filling up (it usually appears on the fuel cap). Misfueling can lead to expensive repairs that are not covered by insurance.

 

Car Insurance and Deductible

When renting a car in Lisbon, the base price usually includes third-party insurance and theft coverage. However, there is typically a high deductible in case of damage.

• It’s worth considering deductible waiver insurance or full coverage (Full Insurance) to avoid unexpected charges in the event of a scratch or minor accident, both of which are common on the city’s narrow streets.

 

Click here for a comprehensive guide, perks, and the different types of travel insurance for Portugal…

 

4 Useful Tips for Renting a Car in Lisbon

1. Book in advance 📅 Reserve your car as early as possible, especially if you’re arriving in the summer months (June-September). Prices tend to rise significantly as your travel date gets closer.
2. Check the car at pickup 📸 Take a video of the car from every angle when picking it up, including the wheels and roof. Make sure every scratch or dent is marked on the pickup report.
3. Navigation 🧭 Use updated navigation apps. Keep in mind that in Lisbon, there are many tunnels where the signal may cut out.
4. Return the car with a full tank ⛽️ In most contracts, you’re required to return the car with a full tank of fuel (Full to Full). There are gas stations near the airport, but prices there are a bit higher than average.

 

Make sure to arrange stable internet on your phone in advance for navigation, communication, and anything else you may need. Our recommendation—better to have it on more than just one device  📲 Click here for the complete guide to connectivity, SIM cards, and ESIM in Portugal…

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Car Rental in Lisbon

Do you need a car inside the city of Lisbon?

Within the historic city center, public transportation (trams, metro) is excellent and the streets are very narrow, so a car can feel like more of a burden than a benefit. Renting a car is mainly recommended for travelers planning to leave the city or use Lisbon as the starting point for the rest of their trip around Portugal.

Click here for the guide to the most popular day trips from Lisbon…

Can you drive the car into Spain?

Most rental companies in Lisbon allow crossing into Spain, but you must declare this in advance at the desk. In some cases, an additional cross-border insurance fee is required.

What are the opening hours of the rental desks at the airport?

Most airport desks are open from 6:00 AM until midnight. If your flight lands later, you’ll need to arrange this in advance, and you may be required to pay an “out-of-hours vehicle handover” fee.

Can you rent a car without a credit card?

Most major companies require an international credit card (Credit only, not Debit) in the name of the main driver in order to place the deposit hold. A small number of companies allow a debit card if you purchase their full insurance.

How do you get to the city center from the airport if you don’t rent there?

You can reach the city center via the red metro line | Linha Vermelha, or by taxi and ride-hailing apps, and rent a car later from one of the branches around central Lisbon (for example, in the Avenida da Liberdade area).

Click here for complete information about car rental in Portugal…

 

Click here for the comprehensive guide to visiting the city of Lisbon…

Click here for the guide to visiting Lisbon with kids…