Your age is one of the first things a rental company in Greece checks, and it affects more than just whether you can pick up a car. It determines which vehicle categories are available to you, whether you'll pay a surcharge, and sometimes what extra documentation you need. These rules apply at both ends of the age spectrum: younger drivers face restrictions and fees, and older drivers may too. Because each rental company in Greece sets its own thresholds, two providers at the same airport can have noticeably different policies for the exact same driver.
Find a rental car that fits your age and budget
Age policies vary widely between providers in Greece. Search and compare offers side by side to find the best deal for your age group, whether you're a young driver or traveling later in life.
That lack of uniformity is exactly why it pays to compare offers before you book. One provider might charge a higher daily surcharge for a 22-year-old while another charges considerably less for the same age group. Similarly, one company might restrict drivers over 75 to a narrower vehicle selection while another has no such limitations at all.
Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Greece
At most rental companies in Greece, you need to be at least 21 years old to pick up a car. This isn't a law set by the Greek government; it's a commercial policy applied by the vast majority of providers. A few agencies do accept drivers from age 19, though the vehicle choice at that age is very limited and availability depends on the location and time of year. Renting at 18 is not possible; no offers exist for that age on the platform.
License-holding experience matters as much as your age. Most providers also require 1 to 2 years of experience. If you passed your driving test before turning 18, some agencies won't count those pre-18 years. So a 19-year-old who got their license at 16 might have three years on paper, but the rental desk may only recognize one.
One detail that catches groups off guard: age restrictions apply to every person who will drive, not just the one who booked. If you're renting for a group of friends and the youngest driver is 20, the whole rental is subject to whatever restrictions apply to that age. When you search on the platform with your age entered, the results show only offers that match, so you won't face an unexpected refusal at the counter.
Young Driver Surcharges and Fees Under 25
In Greece, a young driver is anyone between 19 and 24. If that's you, expect a daily surcharge on top of the base rental rate. The fee varies by your exact age, the provider, and the vehicle category. At 19 and 20, vehicle choice is very limited and every available offer includes a surcharge. From 21 to 22, choice opens up considerably, but a surcharge still applies to nearly all offers. Things improve noticeably from 23 onward: at 23, about 6 in 10 offers carry a surcharge, and by 24, only about 3 in 10 do. See the table below for the full age-by-age breakdown. Local agencies and international chains both charge these fees, though the amounts can differ. Enter your age when searching to see applicable surcharges in the results before you commit.
For a broader look at what rental cars cost in Greece throughout the year, our car rental overview for Greece includes current and average pricing data across different seasons.
| Age | Vehicle choice | Share of offers with a surcharge | Fee if charged (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Very limited choice | Nearly all offers include a surcharge | €13 to €31 |
| 20 | Very limited choice | Nearly all offers include a surcharge | €10 to €31 |
| 21 to 22 | Moderate choice | Nearly all offers include a surcharge | €5 to €31 |
| 23 | Wide choice | About 6 in 10 offers include a surcharge | €5 to €31 |
| 24 | Wide choice | About 3 in 10 offers include a surcharge | €5 to €31 |
Fees shown apply only to providers that charge a surcharge. How common that surcharge is varies by age. Vehicle choice is compared to what is available at age 24, the broadest young-driver age group on the platform.
Under-25 driver checklist before you pick up the car
- Enter your real age when searching: only offers available for your age will appear, so you won't face a refusal at the counter.
- Check which vehicle categories are open to you at your age; at 21 and 22, luxury, fullsize, premium, and special vehicles are restricted, so plan your group size and luggage accordingly.
- Budget for the young driver surcharge on top of your base rental price; at ages 21 and 22 nearly all offers include one, and you'll usually pay it at the desk when you collect the car.
- If anyone else in your group will drive, their age counts too; the youngest driver in the group determines the vehicle categories and surcharges for the whole booking.
- Make sure you have held your license for at least 1 to 2 years; if you passed your test before turning 18, some providers won't count those pre-18 years toward your experience.
Some providers calculate the surcharge per vehicle; others charge per driver under the age threshold. A few may cap the total young driver fee for longer rentals, but this isn't standard, so check the terms at checkout. The surcharge is displayed during the booking flow, though you'll usually pay it at the desk when you collect the car.
Vehicle Type Restrictions Based on Driver Age
Paying a young driver surcharge doesn't automatically unlock every car on the lot. In Greece, most rental providers restrict drivers under 25 to smaller vehicle categories, even after the fee is paid. The available categories for any booking are determined by the youngest driver in the group, so a single under-25 driver limits the options for everyone. For a full picture of what to expect before and after pickup, the car rental tips for Greece page covers booking, fuel policies, and what to check at the counter.
Luxury vehicles, large SUVs, and passenger vans often require the driver to be at least 25. Some providers raise that threshold to 30 for their premium fleet. Higher-value vehicles carry higher liability, and most providers manage that risk by setting a higher age floor.
If you're under 25, here's what you can generally expect to choose from in Greece:
- Mini and economy cars: accessible from age 19 at the few providers that accept drivers that young
- Compact cars: open up significantly from age 21, when the category restrictions ease for most providers
- Intermediate and standard cars: often accessible from age 23, when no vehicle category restrictions apply at all for most providers
- Fullsize sedans, premium, luxury, and special vehicles: restricted at ages 21 to 22; most require the driver to be at least 23 or 25
- Large SUVs and passenger vans: typically require age 25 or older; some providers raise that to 30 for their premium fleet
On Greek island roads, a compact or economy car is often the more practical choice anyway. Narrow mountain stretches on Crete, Kefalonia, or Naxos feature tight hairpin turns, limited beach parking, and unpaved shortcuts to coastal spots that all favor a smaller vehicle. A compact also squeezes into the improvised roadside parking near popular beaches and fits through village lanes where a full-size sedan would be clipping mirrors on stone walls.
See which car categories are available for your age
Enter your age when searching and only the vehicle categories open to you will appear, so you can plan your booking with confidence.
Senior Driver Policies for Renters Over 70
Most rental providers in Greece start applying senior driver policies from around age 75, though some begin as early as 66. From age 66 through 74, only a very small share of offers carry a surcharge, so the vast majority come without one at those ages. Things shift more noticeably from age 75: about 3 to 4 in 10 available offers carry a surcharge, and vehicle choice begins to narrow from age 80 onward. No Greek law prohibits older drivers from renting, but each provider sets its own upper age limit. The strictest stop at 80; most accept drivers up to 90, and some go as far as 99. Location matters too: some island and mainland locations apply a hard cap of 80, including Agia Paraskevi and Erisos, while Alonnisos accepts drivers all the way to 99. See the table below for the full breakdown by age group. For details on what coverage applies at any age, see our page on car rental insurance in Greece.
If your group includes both a young driver and a senior driver, both sets of restrictions and surcharges can apply to the same booking.
| Age | Vehicle choice | Share of offers with a surcharge | Fee if charged (per day) | Typical upper age cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 79 | Full range available | About 3 to 4 in 10 offers include a surcharge | €4 to €31 | Most providers accept up to 90 or 99 |
| 80 to 89 | Moderate choice | About 4 in 10 offers include a surcharge | €7 to €31 | Strictest providers stop at 80; others accept up to 90 |
| 90 and older | Limited choice | About 4 in 10 offers include a surcharge | €7 to €20 | Only a few providers accept drivers at this age |
Fees shown apply only among providers that charge a surcharge. Vehicle choice is compared to what is available at age 75, the broadest senior-driver age group in this dataset. Some locations such as Agia Paraskevi and Erisos apply a hard cap of 80; always check the specific offer conditions.
Senior driver checklist before you pick up the car
- Enter your real age when searching: offers that do not match your age bracket will not appear, and booking with an incorrect age can lead to a refused handover without a refund.
- Check whether the specific provider requires a medical certificate confirming fitness to drive; this depends on the company and your age, not on where your license was issued.
- Review the maximum age cap for your chosen pickup location: some Greek island and mainland locations, such as Agia Paraskevi and Erisos, cap the maximum driver age at 80, while others accept drivers up to 90 or 99.
- Budget for a potential daily surcharge on top of your rental price; at ages 75 and above, about 3 to 4 in 10 available offers include one, and it is paid at the desk when you collect the car.
Driver age and location both affect which cars are available to you in Greece. Search rental cars in Greece by your age group to see offers that match your situation from the start.
Which Driving Licenses Are Accepted?
EU, UK, and US driving licenses are all accepted for car rental in Greece. EU licenses are fully recognized without any additional permit. US and UK license holders are not legally required to carry an International Driving Permit but rental companies often request one, and it is strongly recommended. For the full breakdown by nationality, see our driving license requirements for Greece page.
For details on who needs an International Driving Permit and how to get one, see the IDP requirements for Greece on our documents page.
International Driving Permit Requirements
EU citizens do not need an IDP to drive in Greece. US and UK citizens are not legally required to carry one, but police may ask for it after an accident, so carrying one is strongly recommended.
Required Documents at the Rental Desk
On top of your driving license, you'll need valid identification, a credit card in the main driver's name, and your booking voucher at the rental desk. All four documents must be physically present at pickup. For EU citizens, a valid national identity card is accepted in place of a passport. For the full document checklist, see our required documents for car rental in Greece page.
For credit card and debit card policies at the rental desk, including how security deposit holds work, see our Credit Card Rules for Greek Car Rentals page.
Ready to check what's available for your dates? Find and compare rental cars in Greece with age-specific offers shown upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Greece?
Most rental companies in Greece require drivers to be at least 21. A few agencies accept drivers from age 19, though vehicle choice is very limited and a surcharge applies to every available offer. Renting at 18 is not possible. Most providers also require 1 to 2 years of license-holding experience, and some do not count years gained before age 18.
Can I rent a car in Greece if I'm under 25?
Drivers under 25 can rent a car in Greece, but a daily young driver surcharge applies at most providers. At 19 and 20, choice is very limited and every offer includes a fee. By 24, only about 3 in 10 offers still carry one. Where a surcharge applies, it typically ranges from around €5 to €31 per day.
Is there an upper age limit for renting a car in Greece?
There is no legal upper age limit in Greece, but most providers apply restrictions from around age 75. The strictest cap the maximum at 80; most accept drivers up to 90, and some go to 99. About 3 to 4 in 10 offers from age 75 onward include a daily surcharge. Some specific locations, such as Agia Paraskevi and Erisos, enforce a hard cap of 80.
Are there different age rules for different rental companies in Greece?
Yes, each rental company in Greece sets its own policies on minimum and maximum age, surcharge amounts, and vehicle category restrictions. Two providers at the same airport can have noticeably different rules for the exact same driver age. With 29 providers operating across 132 pickup locations in Greece, the variation in policy can be significant, and comparing offers by age before you book is the most reliable way to see what actually applies to you.
Are there vehicle category restrictions for drivers under 25 in Greece?
Drivers under 25 in Greece are typically limited to smaller categories such as mini, economy, and compact cars, even after paying the young driver surcharge. Luxury vehicles, large SUVs, and passenger vans usually require the driver to be at least 25, and some providers raise that to 30 for premium vehicles. The youngest driver in the group determines which categories are available for the whole booking.
