Does Sixt require an IDP in Slovakia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Slovakia: 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.
Slovakia drives on the right and enforces zero alcohol; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP, and an e-vignette is required on motorways.
In Slovakia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Slovakia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. Bratislava desks request an IDP for non-EU licences; e-vignette usually included.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Slovakia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Slovakia 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 Sixt counter in Slovakia
- 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; Slovakia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Slovakia Sixt renters should know
- Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%).
- Motorway e-vignette required.
- Headlights on at all times.
- Winter tyres mandatory in snow.
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 Slovakia
Cars under 3.5 t need an electronic vignette (no stickers, no booths) bought online, via the eznamka app, or at border fuel stations; a 1-day vignette costs about EUR 8.10, with 10-day and annual options, enforced by plate-reading cameras.
Bratislava's PAAS residential zones charge for street parking (typically 08:00-16:00 in the centre); pay via the ParkDots app or machines, as unpaid or non-resident parking risks a roughly EUR 100 fine, clamping or towing.
On-the-spot fines apply for speeding, no seatbelt and handheld phone use, and driving with zero blood alcohol is required; missing a vignette draws a reduced on-the-spot fine of EUR 150 (up to EUR 800 administratively), and rental firms pass camera fines on with a fee.
Call 158 for police or 112 general emergency; police must be called for injuries or damage over EUR 4,000, otherwise complete the European Accident Statement, and do not move vehicles before documenting an injury scene.
Full driving guide for Slovakia →