Renting a car abroad when you live in the Nordics
A valid Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or Finnish licence is accepted across the EU and EEA, and the Danish authority adds Switzerland. Outside the EU and EEA, the Nordic authorities advise checking the local rules and often carrying an International Driving Permit. At the desk, many rental companies want a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.
Official sources read on 30 October 2026.
Find a rental carCountry by country
| Country | What you need | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Licence is enough | Spain is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Italy | Licence is enough | Italy is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Greece | Licence is enough | Greece is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Portugal | Licence is enough | Portugal is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Croatia | Licence is enough | Croatia is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| France | Licence is enough | France is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Cyprus | Licence is enough | Cyprus is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Malta | Licence is enough | Malta is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Germany | Licence is enough | Germany is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Austria | Licence is enough | Austria is in the EU: a valid licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive there on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU" |
| Switzerland | Licence is enough | The Swiss authorities say that people who live abroad need an International Driving Permit to drive in Switzerland only in some cases, for example when the licence does not show the vehicle categories in Latin characters.Source: ch.ch (Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes) – "International driving licence" |
| Iceland | Licence is enough | Iceland is one of the three EEA countries outside the EU. The Danish Road Traffic Authority lists it, with Norway and Liechtenstein, among the countries where a Danish licence is enough without an International Driving Permit.Source: Færdselsstyrelsen (Danish Road Traffic Authority) – "Dansk kørekort i udlandet" |
| United Kingdom (Great Britain) | Licence is enough | A visitor with a full and valid EU or EEA licence can drive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for up to 12 months from entering the country.Source: GOV.UK – "Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence" (visitor with an EU or EEA licence) |
| Turkey | Licence + IDP or translation | Outside the EU and EEA. The Finnish authority Traficom says an International Driving Permit is often sensible outside the EU and EEA; it is a translation, so always carry your own licence as well.Source: Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) – "Kansainvälinen ajokortti" |
| United States | Licence + IDP or translation | Outside the EEA. The Swedish Transport Agency advises carrying an International Driving Permit together with your licence and finding out what applies in the country you are visiting.Source: Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) – "Köra med svenskt körkort i länder utanför EES" |
| Thailand | Licence + IDP or translation | Outside the EEA. The Swedish Transport Agency advises carrying an International Driving Permit together with your licence and finding out what applies in the country you are visiting.Source: Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) – "Köra med svenskt körkort i länder utanför EES" |
Credit card or debit card for the deposit
- Many rental companies require a credit card when you collect the car, among other things to reserve a deposit. Before you travel, check whether a credit card is required, whether it must be in the driver's name and whether you must use the same card when you reserve and when you collect the car.Source: Forbruger Europa (European Consumer Centre Denmark) – "Gode råd til billeje i udlandet"
- A combined Visa/Dankort is normally treated as a debit card, so it is not necessarily accepted at the desk, even if you could use it to book the car.Source: Forbruger Europa (European Consumer Centre Denmark) – "Gode råd til billeje i udlandet"
- You may be able to book online with a debit card, but many rental companies ask for a credit card in the name of the main driver at the desk: a credit card lets them block an amount without the money necessarily being taken from your bank account.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
- Some companies accept only credit cards and not debit cards, and some do not accept prepaid cards. Make sure you can show a card the company accepts.Source: European Consumer Centre Ireland (ECC-Net) – "Car hire in Europe – help and advice for a smooth journey"
- Make sure your credit card limit covers the deposit: the company can refuse to hand over the car, without compensation, if the amount is not available on the card.Source: ECC-Net Malta (European Consumer Centre Malta) – leaflet "Are you planning to rent a car in Europe?"
- Most rental companies ask for a deposit. It generally matches the excess, and the higher the vehicle category, the higher the deposit.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
What excess and excess cover mean
- Third-party liability insurance is compulsory and in principle included in the rental price. It generally does not cover theft of, or damage to, the hire car itself caused by the driver.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
- Damage and theft cover (often shown as CDW and TP) usually comes with an excess: the amount you may still have to pay. Extra cover (often called Super Cover or SCDW) reduces the excess or brings it to zero.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
- With this kind of damage and theft cover, the excess you still have to pay is typically between 600 and 1,500 euros.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
- Zero-excess options often have exclusions: tyres, glass, underbody, roof or lost keys may not be covered, and you may have to report an accident to the police.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
- Excess cover bought from an online reservation platform works differently from cover bought at the desk: the rental company still takes its deposit and charges any damage to your card, and you then claim the money back from the platform's insurer. With the rental company's own extra cover you usually do not need to leave a large amount on the card.Source: ECC-Net Malta (European Consumer Centre Malta) – leaflet "Are you planning to rent a car in Europe?"
- Before buying extra cover at the desk, check whether your travel insurance or credit card already covers some of the risks.Source: Forbruger Europa (European Consumer Centre Denmark) – "Gode råd til billeje i udlandet"
Age limits and young drivers
- Many rental companies set an age range of 21 to 70 and may require that you have held your licence for some time, for example at least a year. Outside these limits you may have to pay an extra fee.Source: Forbruger Europa (European Consumer Centre Denmark) – "Gode råd til billeje i udlandet"
- The minimum age depends on the company and the car category, generally between 18 and 21, and most companies charge a young-driver supplement under 25. Some ask for a licence held for more than one year, up to two years.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
Crossing borders and after you return the car
- If you plan to drive the hire car in several countries, tell the rental company when you book. It can then make sure you have the right vehicle documents, insurance and breakdown cover.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Hiring a car"
- Watch your bank account for a few months after the trip. If the rental company takes an amount you disagree with, contact it in writing straight away and ask your bank about a chargeback: banks usually have short deadlines.Source: Forbruger Europa (European Consumer Centre Denmark) – "Gode råd til billeje i udlandet"
- Fines and charges for traffic offences abroad can arrive several years later, because limitation periods differ between EU countries.Source: Forbruger Europa (European Consumer Centre Denmark) – "Gode råd til billeje i udlandet"
Where traffic drives on the left
- In the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) traffic drives on the left.Source: Udenrigsministeriet (Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – "Rejsevejledning: Storbritannien"
- In Thailand traffic drives on the left.Source: Udenrigsministeriet (Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) – "Rejsevejledning: Thailand"
The rules
- If your licence was issued in an EU country, you can use it anywhere in the EU. You cannot drive in another country on a provisional licence.Source: Your Europe (European Union) – "Driving licence and car insurance validity in the EU"
- A Danish licence is valid in all EU countries, Switzerland and the three EEA countries Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein without an International Driving Permit. Outside the EU and EEA you may need one; the embassy of the country you are going to can tell you.Source: Færdselsstyrelsen (Danish Road Traffic Authority) – "Dansk kørekort i udlandet"
- A Swedish licence is valid in the other EEA countries, with the same categories as in Sweden.Source: Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) – "Köra med svenskt körkort i andra länder inom EES"
- For driving outside the EEA, the Swedish Transport Agency advises carrying an International Driving Permit. It is only a translation of your licence, so you must always carry your Swedish licence too.Source: Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency) – "Köra med svenskt körkort i länder utanför EES"
- All EU and EEA countries accept a Norwegian licence of the EEA model (the credit-card-sized plastic card). Carry the physical card: a digital licence on your phone is not enough. Some countries outside the EU and EEA require an International Driving Permit in addition.Source: Statens vegvesen (Norwegian Public Roads Administration) – "Norwegian driving licence abroad"
- A Finnish licence can be used in EU and EEA countries without an International Driving Permit. Outside the EU and EEA an International Driving Permit is often sensible; keep your Finnish licence with you as well.Source: Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) – "Kansainvälinen ajokortti"
- At the rental desk you have to show a physical driving licence, and you will also need it if the police stop you.Source: Centre Européen des Consommateurs France (ECC-Net) – "Renting a car in Europe"
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in Spain, Italy or Greece?
No. A licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU, and the Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish authorities all confirm that their licences are valid across the EU and EEA. A provisional licence is not enough.
Can I hire a car abroad with a debit card?
Sometimes, but do not count on it. Many rental companies want a credit card in the main driver's name at the desk to block the deposit, some accept only credit cards, and a combined Visa/Dankort is normally treated as a debit card. Check the conditions before you book.
What is the excess on a hire car?
It is the amount you may still have to pay if the car is damaged or stolen. Standard damage and theft cover usually leaves an excess, typically 600 to 1,500 euros; extra cover reduces it or brings it to zero but often excludes tyres, glass, underbody, roof or keys.
Can I drive in the UK or Switzerland with my Nordic licence?
Yes. A visitor with a full and valid EU or EEA licence can drive in Great Britain for up to 12 months from arrival. Switzerland asks people living abroad for an International Driving Permit only in some cases, for example if the licence does not show the categories in Latin characters.
How old do I have to be to hire a car abroad?
It depends on the company and the car. The minimum age is generally between 18 and 21, many companies set an age range of 21 to 70, most charge a supplement under 25, and some require a licence held for at least a year.
Is the digital driving licence on my phone enough abroad?
Do not rely on it. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration says you must carry the physical card when driving abroad, as a digital licence on your phone is not enough, and rental desks ask to see a physical licence.