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Portugal · additional & second drivers · updated July 2026

Adding a Second Driver to a Car Rental in Portugal: What They Actually Need

An additional driver doesn't need to bring a credit or debit card of their own. At every company compared on this site, the deposit card only has to match the main driver named on the rental agreement — a second, formally registered driver can get behind the wheel without presenting any payment card at the counter at all.

What they do need is a valid driving licence that meets the same minimum-age and licence-holding rules as the main driver for that car group, plus their own ID, and they generally have to be present at pickup to be added to the agreement. Most companies also charge a separate per-day fee for each additional driver — the exact amount isn't part of the company data this site tracks, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as a starting point and confirm your own booking's price before you rely on it.

Which companies actually work

  • No card required from the additional driver at the companies compared here — only the main driver's card name has to match the rental agreement, per each company's terms.
  • The additional driver needs a valid driving licence meeting the same minimum-age and licence-holding-period rules as the main driver for the car group, plus ID, and is generally expected at the counter in person to be added.
  • A per-day additional-driver fee is standard practice across the industry, but the amount varies by company and isn't part of this guide's verified deposit and card data — ask for the figure in writing before you book.
  • The two-credit-card rule for premium, SUV and minivan groups at Goldcar (categories X, P, U, L, W) and Centauro (C2, S1–S10) applies to whichever two people end up registered as drivers — so on those bookings an additional driver's own card can be pulled into the requirement even though it's normally not needed.
  • Anyone who drives must be registered as main or additional driver regardless of whose card holds the deposit — an unlisted driver is a separate liability and insurance problem, not a card-requirement question.

Step by step

  1. Before booking, decide who will actually drive during the trip and add every one of them as main or additional driver in the online booking, not as an afterthought at the counter.
  2. Check that the additional driver's licence and its holding period meet the same requirements you'd check for a main driver in that car group — a younger or newly licensed second driver can trigger the same age rules covered elsewhere on this site.
  3. Ask the company directly for the exact additional-driver fee for your booking and add it to your budget, since it isn't a figure this guide's company comparison tracks.
  4. Bring the additional driver's licence and ID to the counter, and have them present in person — most companies won't add a driver who isn't there to sign.
  5. If you're booking a premium, SUV or minivan group at Goldcar or Centauro, check in advance whether the two-credit-card rule means the additional driver needs to bring a card too, rather than assuming only the main driver's card matters.
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Frequently asked questions

Does an additional driver need their own credit card to rent a car in Portugal?

No, not at the companies compared on this site — only the main driver's card has to match the name on the rental agreement for the deposit. The exception is the two-credit-card rule for certain premium, SUV and minivan groups at Goldcar and Centauro, where the requirement is tied to whichever two people are registered as drivers.

Is there an age limit for an additional driver in Portugal?

The same general rules that apply to a main driver apply to an additional one: a minimum age and a minimum licence-holding period, commonly 21 and one year across the wider industry, with a young-driver surcharge often applying under 25. Check your specific company's terms for the car group, since minimums can be higher for bigger vehicles.

How much does it cost to add a second driver to a Portugal car rental?

It's usually a separate per-day fee on top of the rental price, but the amount isn't part of this site's tracked company data, so there's no single figure to quote. Ask the company for your exact booking's additional-driver price before you travel rather than assuming it matches what you've read elsewhere.

What happens if someone drives who isn't registered as main or additional driver?

It's a liability and insurance problem, separate from the credit-card deposit question covered elsewhere on this site. If an unlisted driver is behind the wheel during an accident or damage, the rental company's insurance cover can be voided regardless of which card held the deposit, so register everyone who might drive before you reach the counter.

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Disclaimer

Rental conditions change frequently and companies' own documents sometimes contradict each other (see the Goldcar Lisbon Airport discrepancy). Everything on this page reflects the official terms and conditions as verified in July 2026. Always verify directly with the rental company before booking. This is practical guidance, not legal advice.