Does Europcar require an IDP in Switzerland?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Switzerland: 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.
Non-EU visitors should carry an IDP to drive in Switzerland.
In Switzerland specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Switzerland ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested by major desks for non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Switzerland desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Switzerland drives on the right, uses the CHF, 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 Switzerland
- 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 CHF deposit; Switzerland drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Switzerland Europcar renters should know
- Motorway vignette required (sold at borders/petrol stations).
- Headlights on at all times, day and night.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.01% for new/professional drivers.
- Strict speed-camera enforcement.
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 Switzerland
No per-km tolls; a single annual motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid Dec 1 to Jan 31 of the following year) is mandatory for all motorways and is already fitted on rental cars. The Great St Bernard and Munt la Schera tunnels charge separate tolls.
White zones are paid (meter or apps like Parkingpay/TWINT); blue zones require a parking disc giving free limited stay (typically 1 hour) during posted hours. Yellow markings are private/no-parking and cars are towed.
Speeding is fined on graduated bands and serious excess (e.g. 25+ km/h over in town) can mean criminal proceedings and licence seizure; handheld phone use and no seatbelt draw on-the-spot fines around CHF 100. Police can collect cash on the spot and rental firms pass camera fines on with an admin fee.
Call police on 117 (rescue 144, fire 118); police must be called for any injury and for anything beyond minor bodywork damage. Place the warning triangle at least 50 m back (100 m on fast roads), photograph the scene and complete the European Accident Statement (recommended, not compulsory). Do not move vehicles if there are injuries.
Full driving guide for Switzerland →