Does Europcar require an IDP in Lithuania?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Lithuania: 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.
Lithuania drives on the right and keeps headlights on year-round; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP alongside their licence.
In Lithuania specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Lithuania ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Vilnius desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Lithuania desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Lithuania 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 Lithuania
- 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; Lithuania drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Lithuania Europcar renters should know
- Headlights on day and night.
- Winter tyres mandatory Nov–Mar.
- 0.04% alcohol limit; zero for novice/professional drivers.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
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 Lithuania
There is no toll or vignette for passenger cars - only trucks and buses need the e-vignette tied to the plate; driving a rental car costs nothing on the road network, though the truck e-vignette rose roughly 5-8% from 1 January 2026.
Vilnius Old Town sits in paid zones payable via meters or apps (e.g. m.Parking); never park on tram lines, within 15m of a bus stop or 5m of a junction, and use guarded car parks as break-ins occur.
Police can issue on-the-spot fines: speeding 20 km/h over starts around EUR 30 rising to EUR 450+ for 50 km/h over, and driving without a required (truck) vignette risks up to EUR 300. Camera fines for rentals are billed to the renter with a handling fee.
Call 112 for injuries; damage-only collisions need not involve police if both parties agree and complete the European Accident Statement, but you must notify the rental supplier and obtain an accident report, and leave vehicles in place where there is injury or dispute.
Full driving guide for Lithuania →