Car hire deposit in Croatia
The car hire deposit in Croatia is shown on each car, and the holding method and refund timelines are shown during booking and in the rental voucher.
How is the deposit taken?
Under the rental conditions for Croatia, the methods for paying the remaining rental cost, holding the deposit and refunding it are shown during booking and in the rental voucher.
Most car rental companies reserve an amount on your card for the deposit, and the amount is not released until the car is returned. Under EU rules the trader must tell you if it intends to block an amount on your credit card, and you must approve the block and its exact amount.
On the rental partner's Croatia listings, where a debit card is used for the deposit, the rental company either places a hold on the deposit amount or asks for it to be transferred to a specified account. Each car shows its deposit before payment, so the comparison between two cheap offers can include the deposit as well as the daily rate.
What card is required?
Renting a car may require a physical embossed credit card in the main driver's name. Some rental companies accept debit cards, which is specified during booking and in the voucher; a debit card must also be physical, personalised, embossed and issued in the main driver's name.
The card requirement is shown on each car. A card in another person's name does not meet the condition, which names the main driver.
A card held only in a phone wallet is not a physical card. The required card must be with you when collecting your car.
- Name
- The main driver's.
- Form
- Physical and embossed. A card in a phone wallet does not satisfy it.
- Debit cards
- Accepted only where stated during booking and in the voucher; physical, personalised and embossed.
When will I get the deposit back?
Some companies retain the deposit for 30 to 45 days after the car is returned. The refund timelines for your car are shown during booking and in the rental voucher.
If the rental company receives a fine or is invoiced for an unpaid toll from your rental period, the amount is charged to the deposit. Administrative expenses are added in the case of fines.
Can I choose a car without a deposit?
The deposit is shown on each car in the search, including the no-deposit offers at Zadar Airport for your dates. Standard insurance does not cover damage to the wheels, undercarriage, windscreen and interior, with or without a deposit.
How do the deposit and insurance differ?
Under the rental conditions, what the cover leaves out is damage to the wheels, undercarriage, windscreen and interior. The insurance is invalid in the event of deliberate damage caused by intentional vandalism or neglect.
For an insured event, you must notify the rental agent immediately and obtain a police report unless otherwise agreed with the agent. Failure to do so cancels the insurance issued for the car and makes you fully responsible, under the conditions on the booking itself.
What should I check before travelling?
The driving licence must be a valid national licence with its details in Latin script, and its expiry date must be no earlier than the end of the rental. Copies and electronic licences are not accepted. If the licence is valid only in the country that issued it, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended.
The contact phone number given at booking, with the correct country code, must be reachable throughout the rental and on the day before pick-up.
Questions
Is the deposit charged or held?
Most car rental companies reserve an amount on the card. Where a debit card is used on the rental partner's Croatia listings, the company either places a hold or asks for a transfer to a specified account. The method for your car is shown during booking and in the voucher.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Croatia?
A physical embossed credit card in the main driver's name may be required. The requirement is shown during booking and in the voucher; accepted debit cards must also be physical, personalised and embossed.
How long is the deposit held after the car is returned?
Some companies retain it for thirty to forty-five days after return. A fine or an unpaid toll from the rental period is charged to it.
Are there cars at Zadar with no deposit?
The deposit is shown on each car in the search for your dates, including cars with no deposit.
Can a fine reach the deposit weeks later?
Yes. A fine or an unpaid toll from your rental period is charged to the deposit, with administrative costs added on a fine, and some companies retain the deposit for 30 to 45 days.
Whose name must the card be in?
The main driver's. Where a credit card is required it must be physical and embossed in that name, and where a debit card is accepted it must also be physical, personalised, embossed and in the main driver's name.