Portugal · young & new drivers · updated July 2026

Renting a Car in Portugal Under 25: Age Rules and the Credit-Card Deposit

Car rental across the industry generally sets a minimum age of 21 and a minimum licence-holding period of one year, with an extra young-driver surcharge commonly applied under 25 — Portuguese counters follow the same wider pattern, on top of everything else this site tracks. That surcharge is a separate line from the security deposit itself: it doesn't replace or reduce the €1,200–1,900 hold covered elsewhere on this site, it's added to it.

The age angle matters here for a different reason: many drivers under 25 simply haven't been issued a credit card yet, which is exactly the trap this site exists to warn about. The company-by-company debit-versus-credit rule doesn't change with age — Goldcar, Centauro and Record go are still the only three, per terms verified July 2026, that accept a physical, nominative debit card for the deposit — but a younger traveller is statistically more likely to need that shortlist than an older one with an established credit card.

Which companies actually work

Minimum age is commonly 21 with at least one year on your licence across the car rental industry generally; some companies and higher vehicle groups set a higher bar — check your exact company's terms, not just this general figure.
A young-driver surcharge under 25 (and sometimes a steeper one under 21–23) is standard across the wider industry, charged per day on top of the rental price — budget it as a separate line from the security deposit.
The surcharge doesn't change which companies accept a debit card for the deposit: Goldcar, Centauro and Record go remain the only three, per terms verified July 2026, regardless of the main driver's age.
The two-credit-card rule for premium, SUV and minivan groups at Goldcar and Centauro is tied to the vehicle group, not to the driver's age — a young driver in an economy car doesn't trigger it just by being under 25.
If you don't yet hold a credit card, that's the same debit-card problem every traveller on this site faces — it isn't a separate young-driver rule, so the same company shortlist and deposit-waiver covers apply to you too.

Step by step

Check the minimum age and minimum licence-holding period in your chosen company's own terms for your exact car group — the industry-general 21/one-year figures aren't guaranteed at every company or every category.
Price the young-driver surcharge into your budget as its own line item, separate from the €1,200–1,900 deposit range covered elsewhere on this site.
If you don't have a credit card yet, book an economy car with Goldcar, Centauro or Record go and pay with a nominative debit card in your own name, the same shortlist as any other debit-card traveller.
Buying the deposit-waiver cover online (Super Relax at Goldcar, Smart Cover at Centauro) drops the deposit to €0 but has no effect on the young-driver surcharge, which is a separate charge.
Email the company with your exact age, licence-holding period and car group, and ask for written confirmation of both the surcharge amount and which card it will accept for the deposit.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the minimum age to rent a car in Portugal?

The car rental industry generally sets 21 as the minimum age with at least one year on your licence, and Portuguese companies broadly follow that pattern. Some companies or higher vehicle groups set a higher minimum, so check your specific company's terms rather than assuming the general figure applies everywhere.

Does being under 25 mean I have to pay a bigger security deposit in Portugal?

Not based on how the deposit itself works on this site's tracked companies — the young-driver surcharge is a separate daily charge, not an increase to the €1,200–1,900 deposit range. The deposit amount depends on your vehicle group and company, the same as for any other driver.

I'm under 25 and don't have a credit card — which Portuguese rental companies work for me?

The same three as for any traveller without a credit card: Goldcar, Centauro and Record go accept a physical, nominative debit card for the deposit, per terms verified July 2026. Your age doesn't change that shortlist — not having a credit card yet is simply the same problem this site covers for travellers of any age.

Can I use a parent's or older companion's credit card if I'm under 25 and don't have one?

Only if that person is registered as the main driver — every company compared here checks the deposit card's printed name against the main driver on the agreement, not against whoever is actually driving. The person taking on that role still has to meet the company's own age and licence requirements and be present at the counter with their physical card.

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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.