To hire a car in Crete (and elsewhere in Greece), you must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid driver’s licence held for 1+ year, carry mandatory third-party liability (TPL) insurance, and present a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. EU, US, UK, Swiss, Australian, Canadian, Israeli, Russian, and Ukrainian licences are accepted without an International Driving Permit (IDP) under Greek Law 4850 (November 2021); all other nationals must carry an IDP. This guide covers every requirement – age, licence, IDP, insurance, documents, and driving rules.
Disclaimer: The information in this guide reflects Greek car rental requirements as of July 2026. Regulations and individual company policies may change. Always confirm current requirements directly with your rental company and, where needed, the Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Who Can Rent a Car in Crete? Age & Eligibility
The minimum age to rent a car in Crete is 21 years; drivers under 25 may pay a young driver surcharge at some companies (not at Rental Center Crete), and some companies cap rentals at age 79.
Minimum and Maximum Age Requirements
- Minimum driving age in Greece: 18 years
- Minimum car rental age: 21 years (Rental Center Crete and most agencies)
- Maximum car rental age: 79 years at some companies; no upper age limit at Rental Center Crete (subject to a valid licence and good health)
Car rental in Crete is not available to drivers under 21 years of age, even if they hold a valid licence in their home country.
Young Driver Fees: What to Expect
A young driver surcharge applies to rentals booked by drivers aged 21–24 at most companies in Crete – typically €5 ($5.71, £4.26)–€15 ($17.13, £12.78) per day. Rental Center Crete does not charge a young driver surcharge – drivers aged 21+ pay the same rate as older drivers. For a full breakdown of policies, see our guide to hiring a car in Crete for under 25 year olds.
Child Seats
Children under 4 years must travel in a fitted car seat at all times. Rental Center Crete provides car seats and booster seats free of charge with rentals when requested.
Driving Licence and IDP Requirements
A valid driving licence held for at least one year is required to rent a car in Crete; EU, US, and UK licence holders do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) under Greek Law 4850 (November 2021).
Which Licences Are Accepted Without an IDP
| Licence Country / Region | IDP Required? |
|---|---|
| European Union member states | No |
| United States | No (since Nov 2021, Greek Law 4850) |
| United Kingdom | No (since Nov 2021, Greek Law 4850) |
| Switzerland, Australia, Canada | No |
| Israel, Russia, Ukraine | No |
| Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Gibraltar | No |
| All other countries | Yes – IDP required |
Per Greek Law 4850, Article 25.3 (November 2021), nationals of EU member states, the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway do not require an IDP to rent or drive in Greece.
When You Need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
Drivers from countries not on the list above must obtain an IDP before travel from their national motoring association (e.g. AAA in the US, AAA in Australia). The IDP is presented alongside the original national licence – it is not a replacement. Licences issued in a language other than English or Greek require an accompanying IDP for car rental in Crete.
Car Insurance Requirements
Car rental in Crete requires mandatory third-party liability (TPL) insurance, which is included in all rentals; you can additionally purchase Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Super CDW to reduce or eliminate your excess.
Mandatory Coverage: Third-Party Liability (TPL)
Under Greek law, third-party liability (TPL) insurance is mandatory for all rental vehicles. TPL provides coverage of up to €1,000,000 for third-party injury and €85,000–€1,000,000 for third-party property damage, depending on the agency. TPL is included in every rental rate – it is not optional.
Optional Coverage: CDW and Super CDW
| Coverage | What It Does | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) | Reduces your liability for vehicle damage to a fixed excess | Often €5 ($5.71, £4.26)–€15 ($17.13, £12.78)/day extra (or included) |
| Super CDW / Full Coverage | Reduces the excess to zero – most comprehensive | €10 ($11.42, £8.52)–€25 ($28.55, £21.30)/day extra at most agencies |
| Wheels-Underside-Glass (WUG) | Covers tyres, undercarriage, windscreen | Often bundled with Super CDW |
| Theft Protection (TP) | Covers vehicle theft | Often bundled with CDW |
| Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) | Covers driver and passenger medical costs | Optional, ~€5 ($5.71, £4.26)/day |
At Rental Center Crete, every rental includes CDW + Super CDW (zero excess) + WUG + TP + PAI in the booked price – no in-counter upsell.
What Insurance Does NOT Cover
Insurance coverage is void if you:
- Drive under the influence of alcohol (above 0.50 mg/ml BAC) or drugs
- Drive off-road or on unpaved roads
- Permit an unauthorised driver to drive the vehicle
- Use the vehicle in races, rallies, or commercial transport
- Damage caused by negligence (e.g. ignoring warning lights, fuelling with the wrong fuel)
Documents and Payment Requirements
At pickup, bring your passport or national ID, your driving licence, a reservation voucher, and a credit card in the main driver’s name – most companies place a security hold of up to €1000 ($1141.90, £852.00) on the card.
What to Bring at Pickup – Documents Checklist
- ☐ Valid passport or national identity card
- ☐ Driver’s licence (original, held for 1+ year)
- ☐ International Driving Permit (IDP) – if your country is not on the exemption list above
- ☐ Booking confirmation / rental voucher (printed or digital)
- ☐ Credit card in the main driver’s name for the security hold
- ☐ For additional drivers: their licence, IDP (if applicable), and ID
Photo or digital copies of the licence are not accepted – physical presentation is required.
Credit Card and Deposit Requirements
Most car rental companies in Crete require a credit card in the main driver’s name at pickup. Even if you prepaid online, a security hold (deposit) of up to €1000 ($1141.90, £852.00) is typically placed on the card. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted by most major agencies – but Rental Center Crete accepts debit cards and does not require a deposit hold, charging only the rental amount.
Additional Drivers
Each additional driver must be registered on the rental contract with their licence and ID. Rental Center Crete includes the first additional driver free of charge; further drivers €3 ($3.43, £2.56)/day.
Ferry, Cross-Border, and One-Way Restrictions
Most rental companies in Crete require written permission before a rental car can board a ferry, and many restrict travel outside Greece – always confirm cross-border and ferry rules before booking.
- Ferry travel within Greece: Taking a Crete rental car onto an inter-island Greek ferry generally requires prior written permission from the rental company. Confirm at booking; insurance may be limited or void if not authorised.
- Cross-border travel: Rental cars from Crete are typically not permitted to leave Greece. Driving abroad voids insurance coverage.
- One-way rentals within Crete: Available between Rental Center Crete’s 5 offices (Heraklion Airport, Heraklion Port, Heraklion Centre, Hersonissos, Chania Airport).
Driving Rules in Crete
Traffic in Crete drives on the right; speed limits are 50 km/h in cities, 80–90 km/h on open roads, and 100–130 km/h on motorways; the blood alcohol limit is 0.50 mg/ml.
Speed Limits
| Road type | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Urban / city centres | 50 km/h |
| Open roads outside cities | 80–90 km/h |
| National roads (E-roads) | 90–110 km/h |
| Motorways | 100–130 km/h |
Speed cameras are common on the E75 (Crete’s main north-coast highway). Traffic law applies to all residents and visitors equally – fines can exceed €500 ($570.95, £426.00) for speeding violations.
Alcohol Limit and Other Key Laws
- Blood alcohol limit: 0.50 mg/ml (lower than many other EU countries; enforce strictly)
- Seatbelts: Mandatory for driver and all passengers
- Mobile phones: Hand-held use while driving is prohibited
- Children under 4: Must be in a fitted car seat
- Right of way: Vehicles approaching from the right at unsigned junctions; roundabout traffic has priority
Fuelling Your Rental Car in Crete
Most gas stations in Crete are attended (no self-service) and close by 9 PM; carry cash as not all stations accept cards, and note that stations on the main national road may stay open later. There are no self-service stations – all gas stations have staff who fill up the tank.
Fuel Policy at Rental Center Crete
Standard fuel policy is “return as collected” – return the car with the same fuel level you picked it up with. A “full-to-empty” plan is also available. Returning the car with less fuel than required incurs a refuelling fee added to the final bill.
Fueling your rental vehicle in Crete
To fuel your vehicle, you may need to visit a gas station before 9 pm as most of them close around this time. Select gas stations stay open during the night, but they are few, and only the locals would know and recommend one. Along main highways, you might find a few that close later into the night.
Unlike other countries, there are no self-service gas stations in Crete. All the stations have staff who fill up the gas tanks. Some of them accept credit cards, but it is best to have some cash to be on the safe side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the most common questions about hiring a car in Greece, including licence requirements, IDP rules, insurance, and age restrictions.
Can I rent a car in Greece with a US driver's licence?
Yes. US driving licence holders can rent a car in Crete and across Greece without an International Driving Permit (IDP), under Greek Law 4850 (November 2021). You must be at least 21 years old, have held the licence for 1+ year, and present a credit card at pickup.
Does my US car insurance cover me when renting in Greece?
Generally, no. Most US auto insurance policies do not extend to international rentals. The mandatory TPL insurance is included in your rental rate in Greece. If you want coverage for vehicle damage, purchase CDW or Super CDW at the rental counter – or rent through a company like Rental Center Crete that includes full coverage in the price. Some US-issued credit cards offer secondary rental insurance abroad – check your card’s benefits.
What do I need to know before renting a car in Greece?
The five key requirements are: (1) minimum age 21, (2) licence held for 1+ year, (3) IDP if your country is not on the exemption list, (4) mandatory TPL insurance (included; consider adding CDW/Super CDW), and (5) credit or debit card for the security hold (up to €1000 ($1141.90, £852.00) at most agencies).
Is renting a car in Greece a good idea?
Yes, especially in Crete. Public transport is limited outside major cities; most beaches, gorges, and archaeological sites have no bus service. Daily rates from €6.47 ($7.39, £5.51) (low season) to €40.69 ($46.46, £34.67) (peak summer) make a rental cheaper than relying on taxis for multi-day trips.
Can I rent a car in Crete at age 18?
No. The minimum car rental age in Crete is 21 years, even though the minimum legal driving age in Greece is 18. Drivers aged 21–24 may face a young driver surcharge at most agencies (€5 ($5.71, £4.26)–€15 ($17.13, £12.78)/day) – Rental Center Crete waives this fee.
Are debit cards accepted for car rental in Crete?
At Rental Center Crete, yes – debit cards are accepted with no deposit hold. Most major international chains require a credit card at pickup and place a security hold of up to €1000 ($1141.90, £852.00).
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Greece?
Yes at most agencies. The credit card is used for the security/deposit hold at pickup, even if the rental was prepaid online. Rental Center Crete is one of the few agencies that accepts debit cards and does not require a deposit hold.
