Does Europcar require an IDP in Kosovo?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Kosovo: 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.
Kosovo drives on the right; an IDP is advised with your licence, and visitors must buy local third-party insurance at the border.
In Kosovo specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Kosovo ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Pristina desks ask for an IDP; border insurance is compulsory.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Kosovo desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Kosovo 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 Kosovo
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; Kosovo drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Kosovo Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on day and night.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Buy border vehicle insurance on entry.
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 Kosovo
Most roads are free, but the R7 motorway linking Kosovo to Albania is tolled; pay in cash or card at toll plazas. Note Kosovo is outside the Green Card system, so border third-party insurance must be bought on entry.
Paid parking is normal in central Pristina via kerbside attendants and machines; vehicles parked illegally or causing obstruction can be towed.
There are generally no cash on-the-spot fines; police issue a ticket stating the offence and where to pay, and camera/ticketed fines on a rental are billed to the hirer.
Stop at the scene and call the police for any property damage or injury (even single-vehicle); a police report is required and you must not leave before it is taken, then notify the border-insurance provider.
Full driving guide for Kosovo →