Does Europcar require an IDP in Austria?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Austria: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-EU and non-Latin-alphabet licences across its European network. Europe's leading mobility brand.
Non-EU drivers should carry an IDP alongside their national licence in Austria.
In Austria specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Austria ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested for non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Austria desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Austria drives on the right, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the Europcar counter in Austria
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; Austria drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Austria Europcar renters should know
- Motorway vignette (Pickerl) mandatory.
- Headlights recommended day and night.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.01% for novice drivers.
Europcar's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Europcar's typical minimum rental age is 21 (some categories and countries allow rental from 18 on selected vehicles), and a Young Driver Surcharge applies to drivers aged roughly 22 to 25 - published at around EUR 30 per day in addition to the rental cost, with the exact amount varying by country per the local Specific Terms.
Europcar accepts only a credit card in the main driver's name (valid with an expiry date after the scheduled return) for the deposit; the deposit amount is blocked - not debited - on the card at pick-up, or within 48 hours before pick-up for Online Check-In, and debit cards are generally not accepted for the security deposit.
Only drivers registered on the rental contract may drive the car, and each additional driver must meet the same age and licence-held requirements; an additional-driver fee typically applies and is set per country. The driver must have held a full valid driving licence for at least one year (the from-18 categories also require one year's licence holding).
Cross-border travel must be declared and authorised, and in the UK taking a vehicle abroad requires the mandatory Europdrive product (24/7 overseas breakdown cover plus VE103B proof of ownership and a Green Card); for one-way rentals a one-way fee is charged and is included in the displayed price when pickup and return locations differ.
Europcar requires a full valid licence held at least one year; if the licence is not written in English (or the language of the country of rental) the driver must present an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original national licence - this typically applies to non-Roman/non-Latin-alphabet licences, while an IDP is usually not required to drive within the EU.
Once you collect the keys in Austria
All motorways and expressways require a vignette (digital or sticker): a 1-day digital vignette was introduced in 2025, plus 10-day, 2-month and annual options. Several Alpine routes (Brenner, Tauern, Arlberg tunnel, Grossglockner) charge separate tolls; driving without a vignette risks a minimum substitute toll/fine around EUR 120.
Cities use Kurzparkzone short-stay zones marked by blue lines and signs, paid by paper ticket/Parkschein or apps like HANDY Parken/EasyPark; Vienna's entire inner districts (1 to 9 and beyond) are a paid Kurzparkzone on weekdays. Illegal parking fines start around EUR 20 and wrongly parked cars are towed.
Police are strict and can demand immediate cash payment of fines up to about EUR 90 (a deposit for larger amounts); speeding, handheld phone use and no seatbelt are routinely enforced including by camera. Rental companies pass on camera fines with an administrative fee.
Call 133 for police or the pan-European 112 (ambulance 144); police must be called if anyone is injured or if drivers cannot agree, otherwise a police report is not mandatory for minor damage where details are exchanged. Place the warning triangle, wear the hi-vis vest, photograph the scene and complete the European Accident Statement; do not move vehicles if there are injuries.
Full driving guide for Austria →