Does Europcar require an IDP in Serbia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Serbia: 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.
Serbia drives on the right with Cyrillic signage common, so an IDP is advised to translate your licence at desks and checkpoints.
In Serbia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Serbia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Belgrade desks ask for an IDP with non-Latin-script licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Serbia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Serbia drives on the right, uses the RSD, 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 Serbia
- 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 RSD deposit; Serbia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Serbia Europcar renters should know
- Headlights on at all times.
- Reflective vest, triangle and spare bulbs required.
- 0.03% alcohol limit.
- Toll motorways on main corridors.
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 Serbia
There is no vignette in Serbia; motorways use a distance-based ticket system where you take a ticket on entry and pay cash or card on exit, or use the contactless ENP/TAG transponder.
Belgrade and other cities run zoned paid street parking (red, yellow and green zones with time limits) paid by SMS or app; overstaying or non-payment risks fines and wheel-clamping or towing.
Speeding, no seatbelt and handheld phone use draw fines often payable on the spot in cash; daytime running headlights are compulsory outside towns, and rental firms forward camera fines with an admin fee.
Call 192 for police (or 112 general emergency); a police report is mandatory for any injury or significant damage and is needed to take a damaged vehicle out of the country, so do not move vehicles until police attend.
Full driving guide for Serbia →