What documents are needed to rent a car on Crete?
To rent a car on Crete, you'll typically need the following documents:1. Valid Driver’s License
EU Visitors: If you're from the European Union, your standard EU driver’s license is usually sufficient.
Non-EU Visitors: For travellers from outside the EU (such as the U.S., Canada, or Australia), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is often required in addition to your home country’s driver’s license. The IDP translates your license into several languages and may be required by local authorities or rental agencies.
2. Passport or National ID
You'll need a valid passport or national ID card (for EU citizens) to verify your identity when renting a car.
3. Car Rental Confirmation
If you've pre-booked your rental car, bring a copy of your reservation confirmation and your downpayment. While not always required, it helps ensure everything matches the booking.
4. Minimum Age Requirement
The minimum age to rent a car in Crete is usually 21 or 23, depending on the type of car. Drivers under 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge.
Additional Tips:
Driver’s License Validity: Make sure your driver’s license has been valid for at least one year and is still valid.
Do you need an international driver's permit to rent a car in Crete or the national driver's licence is sufficient?
What documents are needed to rent a car on Crete? International permit or national driver's licence.Learn what documents are necessary and avoid last minutes troubles.
International Driving Permit
 An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a requirement to rent and drive a motor vehicle legally in Greece. It is mandatory to accompany your valid domestic driver's license with an (IDP) at the time of receiving the car you rentedÂ
An International Driving Permit is a United Nations regulated document written in 10 languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of a domestic driver’s license that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognizes the document.  Â
Note: It may be the case where some car rental agencies are ill-informed or neglectful and agree to rent cars to travellers without disclosing to them the many problems that may occur if one is driving without the proper documentation. If an individual drives without an (IDP), they may face high fines and or be responsible for all expenses in the event of an accident. The latest Greek Traffic Law (May 14, 2018) stipulates that both the
driver (renter) and the car rental company will be fined 1,000 Euro (to each) for this violation
Domestic driver’s license
A domestic driver’s license from the following countries do not need an International Drivers Permit and is acceptable. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, as well as Ireland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway. We hope that we have provided you with all of the information needed concerning the International Drivers Permit. However, if you still have questions or need additional information, we are more than happy to provide you with assistance.Safe road trips
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