Does Europcar require an IDP in Philippines?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Philippines: 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.
The Philippines drives on the right and lets visitors use a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days; an IDP helps for non-English licences.
In Philippines specifically, philippines lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Europcar still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Manila desks recommend an IDP for non-English licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Philippines desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Philippines drives on the right, uses the PHP, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Europcar counter in Philippines
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the PHP deposit; Philippines drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Philippines Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Number-coding scheme limits plates on set days in Metro Manila.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Helmets mandatory for motorbikes.
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 Philippines
Expressways such as NLEX, SLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX are electronic RFID-only at most barriers (Autosweep and Easytrip systems); confirm the rental car has a funded RFID tag, as cash lanes are largely phased out.
Urban parking is tight and mostly in paid private lots and malls charging by the hour; street parking is metered or attendant-run in cities like Makati, and illegally parked cars are clamped or towed.
LTO/MMDA fines for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use are issued via apprehension or no-contact apprehension cameras; tourists are sometimes flagged down for on-the-spot citations, and rental firms forward camera fines plus a handling fee.
Dial the national emergency line 911 for serious crashes and call the police to obtain a report; do not leave the scene, and exchange details, as rental firms require a police report before settling damage.
Full driving guide for Philippines →