Match the pickup branch
Airport and city desks may apply different age and car-class rules. Use the row as a starting point, then read the terms for the selected pickup, dates and vehicle.
Booking decision guide
Car hire age limits by country and supplier
There is no single minimum or maximum car hire age that works across a country. The collection branch, company, vehicle category and licence history decide whether the named driver qualifies. Use the country table as a screening tool, then check the actual supplier terms and quote before paying. A reservation made for an ineligible driver may still fail at collection.
Updated
Editor: Ane
Plan the trip
Minimum
Depends on the supplier, branch and car class
Under 25
A fee or class restriction may apply even when hire is allowed
Older drivers
A cap or fee may apply; confirm unstated terms with the branch
Before booking
Check every named driver against the selected offer
Type to find a country, then choose it from the list.
All countries: 17 examples
Scroll across the table to see every condition. You can also focus the table and use the arrow keys.
| Country | Supplier and branch example | Minimum age | Maximum age | Young driver fee | Senior driver rule | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Enterprise Durrës example | 18 for eligible categories | No upper limit stated; 70+ fee applies | 18 to 20 daily fee; luxury SUV has another young-age rule | 70+ daily fee | Full-size vans and luxury SUVs have higher minimum ages; licence history required |
| Australia | Avis Sydney Airport | 21 for eligible cars | Confirm with this branch | A young driver surcharge may apply below 25 | Confirm with this branch | Full valid licence held for at least 12 consecutive months; Signature Series requires age over 25 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Enterprise Sarajevo International Airport | 21 for Mini and Economy; 23 for Compact through Specialty | 75 at this branch | Drivers aged 21 to 22 need a class-specific fee quote before booking | Maximum age is 75 at this branch; check eligibility before paying | Licence must have been held for two years; drivers aged 21 to 22 must confirm both car-class eligibility and any fee before paying |
| Canada | Enterprise Toronto Dovercourt | 21 for eligible classes | Confirm with this branch | Age 21 to 24 daily surcharge | Confirm with this branch | Age 21 to 24 limited to named cars, vans, pickups and smaller SUVs; full valid licence required |
| Croatia | Enterprise Downtown Dubrovnik | 18 for most groups; Luxury Elite requires 25 | 80 at this branch | A EUR 40 per-rental fee applies at ages 18 to 20 | A EUR 40 per-rental fee applies at ages 70 to 80 | Every driver needs a full licence held for at least one year; the vehicle group changes the minimum age |
| France | Enterprise Paris Orly Airport example | 18 for eligible categories | Confirm with this branch | Under 25 daily charge; licence holding period limits classes | Confirm with this branch | Some categories require longer licence history |
| Germany | Enterprise Düsseldorf city example | 21 for eligible categories | Confirm with this branch | Under 25 daily charge; higher category ages apply | Confirm with this branch | Luxury electric category requires age 30 |
| Greece | Enterprise Athens Airport | 21 for specified classes with a young driver fee; standard minimum 23 | No maximum rental age in these branch terms | Age 21 to 22 fee for specified classes; Mini and Economy exempt from that fee | Confirm any senior fee with this branch | The age 21 to 22 exception names Compact through Luxury classes, excluding commercial vans; check the selected car group |
| Iceland | Enterprise Reykjavik Downtown | 20 for Mini, Economy, Compact, Intermediate, Standard and Intermediate Wagon; 25 for other groups | Confirm with this branch | Age 20 to 24 daily surcharge | Confirm with this branch | Licence held for at least one year; age 20 to 24 limited to the named classes |
| Italy | National Naples International Airport | 19 for Mini; 21 for Economy, Compact, Intermediate and commercial vans | No maximum age in these branch terms | Daily surcharge at ages 19 to 24, with separate 19 to 21 and 22 to 24 bands | Confirm any senior fee with this branch | Standard and full-size vans require 25; Luxury requires 27; full licence held for at least three years |
| Montenegro | SIXT Tivat Airport | 21 for eligible groups; some car groups require an older driver | Confirm the selected car group's upper-age rule | A young-driver surcharge applies below 23 | Confirm any older-driver condition in the chosen offer | Licence must have been held for at least two years; select the driver age and vehicle group in the quote |
| New Zealand | Enterprise Auckland International Airport | 21 for eligible classes | No maximum age in these branch terms | Age 21 to 24 daily surcharge | Confirm any senior fee with this branch | Age 21 to 24 limited to Economy, Compact, Intermediate and Standard; licence held at least one year |
| Portugal | Enterprise Lisbon Airport example | 19 under stated young-driver exceptions; standard category age is 25 | 89 at this branch | 19 to 20 daily fee; 21 to 24 no additional fee in branch terms | Confirm with this branch | Under-25 categories exclude Premium and Luxury; check the chosen class at Lisbon Airport |
| Serbia | Enterprise Belgrade Airport example | 18 | 70 | 18 to 20 per-rental fee | Maximum age 70 at this branch; confirm eligibility before booking | Branch cap must be checked before booking an older driver |
| Spain | Enterprise Madrid Airport example | 21 for eligible categories | Confirm with this branch | Under 25 daily charge; selected categories only | Confirm with this branch | Other categories require age 25 or older |
| United Kingdom | Enterprise UK standard hire | 25; 30 for some larger or premium classes | No maximum age restriction in this policy | Standard hire does not offer an under-25 fee route | Confirm with this branch | Enterprise Car Club is a different product with its own requirements |
| United States | Enterprise, standard US rental | 21; 18 in Michigan and New York | Confirm with this branch | Under 25 generally attracts a young renter fee | Confirm with this branch | Young drivers may have restricted vehicle classes; state and branch terms control |
These are named company and branch examples. Confirm the conditions for your selected pickup and vehicle class.
Read the country table as a supplier comparison
These are named supplier and branch examples, not country-wide age laws. Match the driver’s age to the exact pickup branch and car class, then check the quoted fee before paying.
Useful next steps: Check Heathrow hire terms, Check Madrid Airport pickup
Check every named driver
The main driver and any additional driver must each qualify. Enter their ages in the quote and compare any added driver or young-driver charge in the total.
Check the driver and vehicle class together
The youngest permitted driver may only qualify for a limited category. A supplier can require an older driver or more licence years for an SUV, premium vehicle, passenger van or specialty model. The name on the booking must match the person who will satisfy the branch rules at collection.
Useful next steps: Prepare driver documents, Include age charges in the total
If the driver is under 25
Enter the exact age during the rental search. Check the young-driver charge, class list, licence holding period, payment card and whether an additional driver also attracts a fee. Compare the total rental cost, not just the base rate.
If the driver is older
Look for a stated maximum, older-driver fee or medical or licence condition at the precise branch. No maximum stated in one policy is not a promise from every supplier. Ask the branch for written confirmation when the traveller is near a stated cutoff.
Use the examples to avoid counter surprises
The United States example changes at the state line: Enterprise normally starts at 21, with 18 in Michigan and New York. Enterprise UK standard hire starts at 25 while its Car Club is a different service. At Lisbon Airport, some younger drivers qualify only for selected categories and an upper age limit applies. Check the exact branch and car class before booking.
Useful next steps: Check the US airport pickup, Use the pickup checklist
Compare locations
For Paris Orly, Madrid and Düsseldorf, the named branch is the relevant example. A different brand, franchise or vehicle category can change the result. Check the airport and city branch separately if you are choosing between them.
Save the qualifying terms
Keep the selected offer and its age, licence and card rules with the confirmation. If an age fee appears only at collection, compare it with what was disclosed in the booked terms before signing.
Search with the actual driver age and car class
Choose the actual pickup, enter the main driver’s age and dates, then check the vehicle class and payment conditions in the selected offer.
Preparing live car hire search
Questions to settle before booking
Use the answers to identify the checks that matter. Check the selected supplier terms and current local rules before booking.
Can I hire a car under 25?
Often yes, but the minimum, fee and eligible categories depend on the supplier and branch. Some examples in the table allow 18 or 21, while Enterprise UK standard hire starts at 25.
Is there a maximum age for car hire?
There is no universal maximum. Enterprise UK standard hire lists no maximum, Lisbon Airport and Belgrade have branch limits, and the Durrës example adds an older-driver fee. Confirm the selected branch and vehicle before paying.
Does a young-driver fee make every car class available?
No. Vehicle class and years holding a licence can impose a higher age even when a young-driver fee is paid.
Do additional drivers need to meet the same age rule?
They must meet the supplier requirements too. Add each driver to the rental contract and check any additional age or driver charge before collection.