Does Sixt require an IDP in Hungary?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Hungary: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for licences issued outside the EU and not in the Roman alphabet. Premium European brand with a fast-growing global network.
Hungary drives on the right and enforces a zero-alcohol rule; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP, and motorways need an e-vignette.
In Hungary specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Hungary ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. Budapest desks request an IDP for non-EU licences; e-vignette included with most rentals.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Hungary desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Hungary drives on the right, uses the HUF, 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 Sixt counter in Hungary
- 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 HUF deposit; Hungary drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Hungary Sixt renters should know
- Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%).
- Motorway e-vignette required.
- Headlights on outside built-up areas.
- Reflective vest required when leaving a broken-down car.
Sixt's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Minimum age is region-specific: typically 21 in the US (18 in New York, where an under-25 fee still applies) and 18 in much of continental Europe such as Germany and France; drivers aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly USD 25-30 per day in the US (about GBP 36 per rental in the UK, around EUR 5-6 per day in markets like Cyprus), and under-25s are usually limited to economy through full-size sedans, midsize SUVs and minivans.
A credit or debit card in the main driver's name must be presented at pickup; Sixt holds a security deposit of at least USD 200 plus the rental amount on the card, with substantially higher holds on premium/high-value vehicles, and debit-card acceptance and limits vary by branch and vehicle class.
A per-rental additional-driver fee applies; extra drivers can be added at any Sixt branch during the rental provided the main driver is present and the additional driver shows a valid licence (some European markets waive the fee for a spouse/partner). The driver must typically have held a full valid licence for at least 1 year (rising to 2-3 years in higher-risk markets such as Cyprus, while Germany requires the licence be held only since at least the day before pickup).
Most Sixt passenger vehicles may be driven across borders into listed neighbouring countries (e.g. France, Germany, Spain, Italy within Europe), but you must notify and get authorisation from the pickup branch in advance; a cross-border and/or one-way drop-off fee applies, and certain vehicle classes and destination countries are restricted.
Sixt does not require an International Driving Permit everywhere, but states that where local law requires it the IDP must be carried alongside the original home licence; if the licence is in a non-Roman alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic, etc.) the renter must present an IDP or an official translation, and an official translation is also required if the issuing country is not party to the international driving-permit treaty.
Once you collect the keys in Hungary
Motorways use an electronic e-vignette (e-matrica) bought online or at petrol stations for 10-day, monthly or annual periods; with no physical sticker, your plate is registered, and a mispurchase grace of 60 minutes applies before fines.
Budapest charges by zone, payable at machines or by SMS (often needing a Hungarian number); wheel clamps are used and illegally parked cars are towed, so garages in districts VII/VIII are recommended.
On-the-spot fines run up to about 300,000 HUF; drink-driving is zero-tolerance (0.00%), and driving without a valid e-matrica brings automatic penalties of roughly 75,000-150,000 HUF passed on by rental firms.
Call 112; police must be called for injuries or notable damage, all occupants leaving the car must wear a hi-vis vest, and a European accident statement should be completed.
Full driving guide for Hungary →