Does Europcar require an IDP in Finland?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Finland: 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.
Finland drives on the right with mandatory daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP, and winter tyres are required in the cold months.
In Finland specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Finland ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Helsinki desks ask for an IDP for non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Finland desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Finland 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 Finland
- 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; Finland drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Finland Europcar renters should know
- Headlights on at all times.
- Winter tyres mandatory in winter conditions.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Watch for elk/reindeer on rural roads.
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 Finland
Finland has no toll roads, motorway tolls or vignette system anywhere in the country.
Paid parking is enforced strictly in Helsinki and larger cities via meters and apps; overstaying or non-payment brings fines roughly 40-80 EUR, and some zones require a parking disc clock.
On-the-spot police fines reach about 200 EUR, and serious speeding triggers day-fines scaled to income; camera fines on a rental are passed to the hirer.
Call 112 immediately for emergencies; police attendance is required for injuries or major damage, and drivers normally complete a joint accident report form for insurers.
Full driving guide for Finland →