Rent a Car in Portugal

Car Hire in Portugal with Renty

Renty compares car rental deals from local suppliers across Portugal. Pick up at Lisbon Airport for a city break, collect a hire car at Faro and drive to the Algarve coast, or fly into Funchal for a week in Madeira. The price you see is what you pay. All costs are shown before you confirm. Cancel online, no phone calls needed.

From a compact city car for Lisbon to a 7-seater for a family trip to the Azores. One search covers mainland Portugal, Madeira, and the Azores.

Car Rental in Portugal: Mainland, Madeira and the Azores

Portugal offers three destinations in one rental search: the mainland, Madeira, and the Azores. Each has its own roads, and each needs a different car.

In Lisbon, most drivers pick a compact car. The old districts are narrow, parking spots are tight, and a smaller car makes city driving much easier. On the Algarve coast, a sedan or SUV handles the EN125 road between Lagos and Tavira well. Beautiful beaches, open roads, easy driving. Heading north from Porto into the Douro Valley, the winding river roads take longer to drive. A car with a stronger engine makes the climbs easier.

In Madeira, the roads go steep and narrow fast. Most drivers choose a smaller manual car there. In the Azores, each island has its own rental options. Fly into Ponta Delgada Airport for São Miguel's volcanic lakes and hot springs, or book a separate hire car for Terceira, Pico, or Faial.

What Car Hire in Portugal Includes

Renty works with local car rental companies across mainland Portugal, Madeira, and the Azores. Before you pay, the listing shows all conditions: what is included, the deposit amount, and which card types are accepted.

Debit Card Accepted by Select Suppliers

Many car hire companies in Portugal require a credit card and will turn you away at the desk without one. On Renty, local suppliers that accept debit cards are clearly marked before you book. You know what is accepted before you commit.

No Hidden Fees

The total shown during your search includes all taxes and fees. No costs are added after you book. Whether you're picking up a hire car at Faro Airport for the weekend or renting long-term in Porto, the price is confirmed before you pay.

Free Cancellation on Most Bookings

Plans change. Cancel or modify most bookings up to 24 hours before pickup, online, no fee, no phone calls. On most bookings, only a small payment is taken when you book. The rest, plus the deposit, is paid when you collect the car.

Car Rental Locations in Portugal

Pick up your rental car at the airport on arrival, or choose a city centre location if that suits your plans better. Renty covers both mainland Portugal and the islands.

Car Rental at Portugal's Main Airports

Lisbon Airport has the largest selection of rental cars in Portugal. Faro Airport is the main gateway to the Algarve. Pick up your car here and reach the coast in about 20 minutes.

Porto Airport is a good starting point for northern Portugal and the Douro Valley.

On the islands, you can rent a car at Madeira Airport and Ponta Delgada Airport. However, there are fewer cars available than on mainland Portugal. If you travel between June and September, book your rental car early.

Airport	Drive to city centre	Best for
Lisbon Airport (LIS)	20 min / 12 km	Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, central Portugal, nationwide rentals
Porto Airport (OPO)	20 min / 11 km	Porto, Douro Valley, Peneda-Geres, northern Portugal
Faro Airport (FAO)	10 min / 5 km	Algarve, Lagos, Tavira, beautiful beaches, Ria Formosa
Madeira Airport (FNC)	30 min / 18 km	Madeira island, mountain roads, coastal villages, levada walks
Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL)	10 min / 5 km	Sao Miguel island, volcanic lakes, Sete Cidades, hot springs

Popular Car Rental Destinations in Portugal

Most mainland destinations are well connected by motorway from Lisbon. Roads in the south are flat and fast. The north is greener, more winding, and worth every extra minute behind the wheel.

City or Region	Drive from Lisbon	Good for
Lisbon	Starting point	City driving, Belem, airport pickup, day trip base
Coimbra	2 hrs	Historic university, old town, central Portugal base
Porto	3 hrs	Ribeira district, Douro River, port wine cellars, day trips north
Faro and the Algarve	2.5 hrs	Beautiful beaches, sea cliffs, coastal drives, Ria Formosa
Lagos	3 hrs	Ponta da Piedade, Praia Dona Ana, western Algarve, surf beaches

Day Trips from Lisbon by Rental Car

A rental car gives you access to destinations that public transport does not reach easily. Most of these are under two hours from Lisbon on good roads.

Destination	Drive time	Car recommendation
Sintra	40 min	Any car. Parking in the village centre is limited in summer, arrive early or park at the train station.
Cascais and Estoril	40 min	Any car. The coastal road along the Tagus estuary is one of the most scenic drives near Lisbon.
Arrabida Natural Park	45 min	Any car. Roads narrow close to the coast. Drive carefully and take your time on the bends.
Obidos	1 hr	Any car. A medieval walled town, easy motorway drive, good to combine with Alcobaca.
Evora	1.5 hrs	Any car. Flat Alentejo motorway, simple navigation, easy half-day trip.
Alcobaca and Batalha	1.5 hrs	Any car. Two UNESCO monasteries, easy to visit on the same day.

Find the Best Car Hire Deals in Portugal

Compare car rental options at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports and at locations across the mainland. Find car hire Portugal deals in Funchal and Ponta Delgada for the islands. Prices include all costs. Book in minutes.

Trusted by travellers, expats, and locals who rent a car in Portugal through Renty.

What You Need to Rent a Car in Portugal

Minimum age. Most suppliers in Portugal require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Some local suppliers accept drivers from 19. For premium vehicles and larger SUVs, the minimum age is often 25. An underage driver fee may apply for drivers under 25. The minimum age and any surcharge are shown on each car listing before you book.

Documents required. Bring your driving licence, a passport or national ID card, and your booking confirmation. EU licences work across Portugal with no extra paperwork. If your licence is not written in Latin letters (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese), you also need an International Driving Permit. Make sure you get it before you travel. The rental service does not accept phone photos or copies of any document.

Insurance. Standard insurance is included in all bookings by local regulations. It covers third-party liability and a basic collision damage waiver. Additional cover is available at checkout. All excess amounts and conditions are shown clearly before you confirm your booking.

Deposit. A refundable security deposit is required at pickup. The amount depends on the vehicle and the supplier. It is held on your card and released once the car is returned without damage. Some suppliers take a cash deposit instead. Check this option in the car listing before you book.

Fuel policy. The standard fuel policy in Portugal is full-to-full. You collect the car with a full tank and return it full. Fuel stations are easy to find on the mainland. In Madeira and in rural parts of the Azores, fill up before heading into the hills.

Toll roads. Portugal has two types of toll roads. Most motorways have booths. Pay by card or cash. But some roads, including the A22 in the Algarve, have no booths at all. These are electronic-only and use a device called Via Verde. Drive these roads without one and the supplier charges the toll to your card after the trip, plus a handling fee. Ask about Via Verde when you collect the car if you plan to use these routes.

One-way rentals. Driving Lisbon to Porto, or Lisbon down to Faro? One-way car rental is available between major mainland cities. A one-way fee may apply and is shown at checkout. On the islands, most rentals are return-only.

Cross-border travel to Spain. Cross-border travel to Spain is available with selected suppliers and is shown on the listing before you book. A cross-border fee may apply. Not all suppliers allow it, so check before you confirm if you plan to cross the border.