Portugal · deposit amounts & refunds · updated July 2026

How Much Is the Car Rental Deposit in Portugal — and How Does It Work?

Plan for €1,200–1,900 blocked on a card for an economy car, based on the companies' own figures verified in July 2026 — Centauro publishes €1,200 for its A/A1/B/D groups, rising to €1,800–1,900 for its biggest groups, and the other national companies sit in the same band. The deposit is taken at the counter when you collect the car, on top of the rental price you already paid online.

It's a pre-authorisation, not a charge: the amount is blocked on the card and released after the car comes back, which companies say takes 10–20 days. On a credit card that ties up your credit limit; on a debit card it freezes real money in your account for up to three weeks — worth knowing before you budget the rest of the trip around it.

Which companies actually work

Typical economy-car deposit: €1,200–1,900 depending on company and car group; premium, SUV and minivan groups run higher and at Goldcar and Centauro also trigger a two-credit-card requirement.
The card must be physical and in the main driver's name — someone else's card, a virtual card or a phone wallet won't be accepted for the deposit at any of the eight companies compared here.
Deposit on a debit card is possible only at Goldcar, Centauro and Record go, per terms verified July 2026; Cael, Guerin, Europcar and OK Mobility require a physical credit card, and Sixt depends on your specific booking's payment terms.
The release takes 10–20 days after return by the companies' own statements — and because it's a released hold, not a refund transaction, there's no transfer to chase if your bank simply shows the block expiring.
Side holds come on top: a Via Verde toll deposit, a transponder fee and a possible fuel hold — keep a roughly €200 buffer beyond the main deposit.

Step by step

Check the deposit for your exact car group in the company's terms before booking — the figure varies by group, and the marketing pages usually quote the cheapest one.
Decide which card takes the hold: a credit card ties up limit, a debit card ties up cash for up to three weeks — and only Goldcar, Centauro and Record go accept debit at all.
If the hold would hurt, price the company's deposit-waiver cover (Super Relax at Goldcar, Smart Cover at Centauro) inside the online booking — it drops the deposit to €0, at a per-day cost worth comparing against the inconvenience.
At pickup, photograph the pre-authorisation receipt and note the amount, then photograph the car and fuel gauge — deposit disputes are usually really damage or fuel disputes.
If the block hasn't lifted 20 days after return, contact the company in writing with the rental agreement number first, then your bank with the receipt — banks can trace and expire a stale pre-authorisation.

Run the pre-booking check Compare all companies Read the €776 case study

Frequently asked questions

How much money should I have available on my card for a rental in Portugal?

Rental price plus €1,200–1,900 for the deposit on an economy car, plus roughly €200 for side holds like the Via Verde toll deposit and fuel. On a debit card all of that is real money frozen for up to three weeks, so budget the trip around it.

How long does it take to get the car rental deposit back in Portugal?

Companies quote 10–20 days after the car is returned. It's a pre-authorisation release rather than a refund payment, so it often just disappears from your pending transactions instead of arriving as a credit — check the pending list, not the statement.

Is the deposit charged to my card or just blocked?

Blocked, as a pre-authorisation, unless the company captures part of it for damage, fuel or tolls after the return. That distinction matters: a block on a credit card only reduces your available limit, while on a debit card it freezes actual account money.

Can I pay the deposit in cash in Portugal?

The eight national companies compared here don't accept cash deposits in their published terms — the deposit must go on a physical card in the main driver's name. Be sceptical of small local outfits that advertise cash deposits; the practice usually comes with its own risks around getting the money back.

Related guides

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.