Rental Conditions in Germany

The minimum age is 21 years old. Higher or lower minimum age limits may apply to certain vehicles. Please, verify at time of booking.

An underage fee will apply for renters 21-24. The cost will depend on the rental location, but it usually varies between EUR 11.90 and EUR 14.70, per day, for each driver.

If the rental is longer than 10 days, renter will only be charged for a maximum of 10 days and get cover for the duration of the rental, up to 28 days.

The renter will be required to present an international credit card at his name accepted by Avis at the time of rental.

Avis Germany accepts: 

✓American Express, 

✓Diners, 

✓Discover, 

✓Visa

✓Mastercard.

IMPORTANT: When renting a LUXURY car the renter will be required to present two major credit cards issued by two different companies at time of the rental. One of the cards must be Golden or Platinum.

Please note that the credit card must have the renter's name and numbers embossed on it.

Physical credit cards that are not close to their expiration date must be presented; otherwise, delivery of the vehicle may be refused.

All Drivers must bring all parts of their valid driving license with them.
 

If any of the following applies:

✓their driving licence was issued in another European country, 

✓their driving licence was issued in a non-European country or
✓their driving licence was issued in a non-roman alphabet language like Arabic, Greek, Russian, Hebrew, or Japanese,

and we cannot confirm with certainty the details included within the driving licence, the driver will also need to provide either an international driving licence or an official German translation, by a notary, of their driving licence. If this might apply to you, please contact us (prior to your pickup date) as we would be pleased to confirm if an international licence or official translation will be required.

We do not accept digital driving licences.

ID requirements

All drivers must have held their licences for at least 6 months from the date of pick-up. A higher minimum age limit and licence validity may apply for certain vehicles.  This will be shown during the booking process or disclosed to you before completing the booking.

If a licence does not show the driver has held it for the minimum period, then they must provide evidence, such as: 

✓previous driving licences; or
✓a letter from their driving licence authority stating that they have held it for this minimum period.

Additional drivers must be approved and specified on the Rental Agreement Form. You must not let anyone else drive the vehicle.

All additional drivers must meet our age, driving licence and ID requirements (additional driver surcharges may also apply).

You will be responsible for all costs – whether they’re down to you or your additional drivers. It is your responsibility to make sure all additional drivers read the terms set out in the Rental Agreement carefully before they drive the vehicle.

We charge a fee for every Additional Driver we allow to drive the vehicle. The price is between EUR 11.00 and EUR 13.80 per day, up to a maximum charge of EUR 87.84 per 28-day rental.

The amount of the pre-authorisation taken on pick-up of the rental vehicle is calculated as follows:
(The vehicle rental price* + GBP 200**) MINUS (Any sum you have already paid when making a booking) 

* The "vehicle rental price" includes the vehicle rental cost and all optional extras you’ve requested, calculated at the start of the rental based on the intended length of the rental. For the avoidance of any doubt, any “Pay at Location” amount you owe in relation to the vehicle rental (including any optional extras) will be included as part of the pre-authorisation and will be charged to you at the end of the rental (using the card provided for the purposes of the pre-authorisation, unless agreed otherwise).

** If you buy our “Fuel Up Front” product, we will reduce the GBP 200 by the amount we charge you for the “Fuel Up Front” product.

The GBP 200 is included as part of the pre-authorisation in case we have to charge you at the end of the rental for any of the following: 

✓costs to refuel the vehicle (where relevant); 
✓additional rental charges in circumstances where you fail to return the vehicle or any optional extras at the end of the agreed rental period [or 
to the agreed return location]; 

✓any additional charges or fines you incur relating to your use of the vehicle (which we have been notified of prior to you returning the vehicle, which will include, for example, charges relating to traffic violations); and/or 
✓costs incurred as a result of exceeding any relevant mileage restrictions. 
Where the pre-authorisation we take does not cover the charges you incur, we will request you make a further payment for the additional amounts owed.

In relation to certain high value vehicles, we may require you to provide us with two payment cards for the purposes of the pre-authorisation.

While this hold is in place the funds will not be available for use. When the rental is over Avis will process the reversal but the bank may take time to post it back to the account.

If you do not complete a required accident report form, or we find out the accident report form contains any significant missing or incorrect information, then you will be charged an accident processing fee of EUR 35.00.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) provides liability reduction in case of a damage and the vehicle, keys, any accessories or any vehicle documents are damaged and the renter is responsible for the damage, the amount he has to pay for the damage will be reduced to no more than the excess stated on the rental agreement meaning he will pay for the cost of repair or replacement plus a damage or theft processing fee.

 

In most cases, Damage Waiver is provided with the vehicle as standard. If it’s included, it will be stated on the rental agreement. If it isn’t included, the price depends on the vehicle and the rental location.

If TP is not purchased or is not included in the rate, in case of theft the customer will be responsible for the total value of the rental car, keys, any accessories and any vehicle documents plus our loss of use and an administrative fee of EUR 30.00.

If a liability reduction for the event of theft (TP) is purchased and the vehicle is stolen, the amount he will have to pay will be limited to the excess stipulated in your rental agreement, which means that you must pay for the costs of replacement plus a fee for the processing of the event of damage or theft in the amount of EUR 30.00.
 

The excess will not apply and the renter will have to pay the car’s full value if the loss or theft was caused by or as a result of:

✓Keys being left in the vehicle.
✓Keys being lost or stolen.
✓Using the vehicle in breach of the contract.

If any optional extras are lost or stolen, renter will have to pay for the cost of replacement in addition to the rental fee.
 

Super Damage Waiver (SCDW) is an excess reduction product which reduces the excess to zero in case of accidental damage to the rented car. Renter can purchase this coverage when starting the rental if it is not included in the rate.

The price depends on the vehicle and the rental location, but the cost is usually between EUR 19.00 and EUR 35.00 a day.


What happens if the customer damages any optional rented extras?
If any optional extras are damaged, renter has to pay for the cost of replacement, or their estimated repair costs in addition to the rental fee.

Are there any times when the excess would not apply?
The amount that renter pays will not be reduced if the damage was caused deliberately or by gross negligence – or as a result of:

✓ Driving the vehicle without due care and attention.
✓ Driving or using the vehicle in breach of your contract
✓ Breaching a contractual obligation (for example not calling the police in the event of a damage).

In the event of losses caused by gross negligence, Avis is entitled to claim damages against the renter in an amount equivalent to the grade of negligence, up to and including the full amount of the loss or damage.

In case of breakdown caused by the customer's fault or when the breakdown occurs in a non-authorized country, a "call out" fee will be charged for our partners to come and provide "on the road" assistance. 

This cost will be between EUR 300 and EUR 600, and in addition, an administrative fee of EUR 35 will be applied.

For any damage, repair or loss incurred within the domestic environment, the administrative charge EUR 30.

The vehicle will normally be supplied with a full tank of fuel. Renter must return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had in it when he picked it up – usually a full tank – as shown on the factory-installed fuel gauge.
We recommend to fill up as close to the return location as possible on the return date, and keep the receipt to show us. If renter does not return the vehicle with a full tank – and can’t show us a receipt for fuel – we will charge him.

Fuel options

✓ FUEL UP FRONT: renter can pay for a full tank of fuel, based on the manufacturer's stated fuel tank capacity for the rented vehicle – plus our costs of refueling the vehicle. Then renter just returns the vehicle with whatever’s left in the tank (even if it’s virtually empty) so long as the engine still runs. If renter wants to buy Fuel Up Front, he must ask for and buy it at time of rental.

How do I calculate the cost of Fuel Up Front?
Depending on the rental location, we charge the average fuel price at the start of the rental period. However, renter will not get a refund for any fuel he does not use.

If renter drives less than 120 kilometers Avis will apply EZ fuel?
Often the fuel gauges stills look “full” so Avis asks customers to fill up the tank near the return location and show a copy of the receipt when returning the vehicle. If the customer doesn’t have time to fill up the tank, or can’t show a receipt, Avis will apply EZ Fuel to cover refueling costs.
EZ Fuel cost can vary depending on the rental location. It is generally a fix fee of between EUR 26.00 and EUR 32.90.

Pay on Return will apply if renter has driven more than 120 kilometers and:

✓ Doesn`t buy Fuel Up Front.
✓ Doesn´t return the vehicle with a full tank.

He will pay for fuel based on the factory-installed fuel gauge rounded down to the nearest eighth (1/8) of a tank. This is based on the manufacturer’s stated fuel tank capacity.

We charge between 1.5 and three times the average fuel price at the end of the rental period.
This charge covers Avis cost of driving to the nearest petrol station at short notice, and potentially delaying the next customer’s rental.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

You must return the vehicle with at least a 70% battery charge, or the same % battery charge as it had at time of pick-up. 

We charge a fixed amount dependent on the battery life showing on the factory-installed battery gauge. This is the “Pay on Return” rate. The amounts charged are set out below:

Within Germany there are toll roads and toll bridges which require you to pay a fee if you wish to use them.  If you do not pay these charges before you use them you will incur a 
fine.  
We recommend you check the Internet to find out about any restricted areas before you travel.  Websites such as www.urbanaccessregulations.eu provide useful information. 

International journeys outside Germany are permitted for certain countries but generally require prior approval by Avis.

If approved by Avis, a Cross Border Fee (CBD) is payable. This amounts to EUR 9.41 per day and maximum EUR 43,92 per rental.

If approval has been given, the following provisions shall apply. Renters are only allowed to use the vehicle in the following countries:


Remarks

✓Entries into Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia are not allowed for vehicles of car group F.

✓The customer must advise at time of booking, entering “Travel East” followed by the name of the country/countries to be visited in the reservation.

One way to Eastern European countries is NOT permitted. Additional fees may apply.

✓Porsche vehicles may be driven in Germany, Austria and Switzerland only.

✓Renters are not allowed to use the vehicle in Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Macedonia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and any country outside continental Europe.

✓Not allowed are also: Balearic Islands, Canaries, Corsica, Crete, Sardinia.

Travel into United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland: Cars rented in Germany are permitted to travel into the U.K. or the Republic of Ireland as long as they are returned to the mainland. Note: Driving on the opposite side of the road with a car from Germany is difficult to get used to.

Travel into Switzerland: All vehicles driving on Swiss highways must purchase a special tax sticker (Swiss Hwy. Sticker). Cost is SFR 40.00 and is available for purchase at the border crossings. Customer is subject to a fine of SFR 100.00 if caught without the sticker.

Travel into Austria: All vehicles driving in Austria must have a Toll Sticker that can be purchased at the border. The Toll Sticker is available for specified length of use, with a minimum one-day purchase. Fines for neglecting to purchase the Toll sticker start at: EUR 200.00.

Travel into Italy: Group J cars (Mercedes C, E and S-Class or similar cars) are NOT allowed into Italy.

Travel into France: Any car entering France must have two breathalyzer kits. Driver not having them in the car will be liable to a fine. The kits can be purchased at petrol stations. It is advisable to buy them before crossing the border with France.

Ferry transportation: Ferry transportation allowed into non-restricted countries, subject to the following conditions: If the vehicle for any reason is not in condition to be driven, the customer is responsible for the costs of transporting the car to the office where it was originally rented.

Any infringement of or non-compliance with any of the above provisions shall entitle Avis to terminate the rental agreement without notice or to withdraw from the rental agreement.

Claims for compensation by the renter are excluded in such a case. Avis entitlement to compensation for any damage incurred as a result of the violation of any of the above provisions shall remain unaffected.

Please note: In Germany, all children must normally use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 150 cm tall.

Avis Germany offers baby, child and boosters seats.

(CSS) (Child Baby Seat) is typically suitable for a child from birth to 12 months old and weighing no more than 13 kilos.

(CIS) (Child Infant Seat) is typically suitable for a child aged 9 months to 4 years old and weighing between 9 and 18 kilos.

(CSI) (Child Seat) is typically suitable for a child aged 4 to 11 years old and weighing between 15 and 36 kilos.

(CBS) (Child Booster Seat) is typically suitable for a child aged 8 to 11 years old and weighing between 20 and 45 kilos.

Remember, it is always the renter’s responsibility to check the seat is fitted correctly before you drive away.

The fee for renting a seat will depend on the pick-up location, but it usually costs between EUR 13.00 and EUR 16.31 a day, up to a maximum charge of EUR 86.59 per 28 day rental. 

If the seat is damaged, lost or stolen, renter will have to pay for a replacement. The costs of this are based on the replacement value and based on experience, range between EUR 209.00 and EUR 250.00 plus the rental costs.

If the rental location you’re hiring from is in an area where it is illegal to drive without all- weather tyres at certain times of the year, the vehicle will automatically be supplied with them – and the fee will be included in your rental fee or contract.

Between 15 November and 15 March all vehicles in Germany are equipped with Winter tyres – and the fee for this is already included in your rental price.

We can also supply all-weather tyres for a fee. This will depend on where you’re renting – but you can expect it to be between EUR 15.00 and EUR 18.70 a day. If you rent the vehicle for more than 10 days, you’ll only be charged for a maximum of 10 days and get to use the all-weather tyres for the duration of your rental, up to 28 days.

If any all-weather tyre is damaged, lost or stolen, and if you are responsible for that, you will have to pay for a replacement pair which will be between EUR 150.00 and EUR 400.00 plus the rental costs. 

In the event that your rental does not already contain all-weather tyres and you want to have these tyres, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.

This provides a GPS service and unlimited data per day, as well as other useful features you may need when travelling. We provide this service on behalf of a third party – so you will need to read and agree to separate terms and conditions with, which will be signed by you on the device at the time of rental check out. 

The fee for hiring Travel Companion Tablet is between EUR 13.80 and EUR 16.80 per day, up to a maximum charge of 14 days per 28 day rental.

If the Travel Companion Tablet is damaged, lost or stolen, you’ll have to pay for a replacement. This is likely to cost from EUR 260.00 on top of the hire fee. If any of the accessories are lost, damaged or stolen, you will have to pay for a replacement.  This is likely to cost between EUR 10.00 and EUR 150.00 on top of the hire fee

Provided you are using the vehicle in a country which we have agreed to, this product provides roadside assistance without any additional costs being charged if you break down as a result of vehicle failure you have caused (this includes lost keys).  

Normally between EUR 7.00 and EUR 8.78 per day.

If you rent the vehicle for more than 10 days, you’ll only be charged for a maximum of 10 days and get cover for the duration of your rental, up to 28 days.

If the rental location you’re hiring from is in an area where it’s illegal to drive without snow chains at certain times of the year the vehicle will be automatically supplied with snow chains and the fee will be included in your rental price.

We can also supply snow chains at other locations, and you can expect to pay between EUR 72.00 and EUR 90.35 per rental.

If snow chains are damaged, lost or stolen, and if you are responsible for that, you will have to pay for a replacement pair which will be between EUR 69.00 and EUR 100.00 plus the rental costs.

Some rental locations offer ski racks. We can also supply ski racks at other locations, and you can expect to pay between EUR 72.00 and EUR 90.35 per rental.

Ski racks cannot be fitted to all our vehicles, so you may need to upgrade if you need one. This may increase the price of the vehicle and any excess you may have to pay.
If the ski rack is damaged, lost or stolen, you’ll have to pay for a replacement. 

This is likely to cost between EUR 250.00 and EUR 500.00 on top of the hire fee.