If you have any doubts about the procedures to book a car rental in Algarve, or with the little things when driving a rented car in Algarve or about any other thing related, we compiled a list of the most common questions customers usually have. Please read through the links below.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

HOW CAN I BOOK A RENTAL CAR IN ALGARVE?

We developed a quick booking form car hire facility for reservations in the Algarve directly managed by us. To make a booking simply fill in the booking form and you will receive a message from us to confirm your reservation.

IS MY BOOKING AUTOMATICALLY CONFIRMED?

After you fill in the booking form until the end and confirm we will receive your reservation by email. We will check availabity and viability of your reservation and will send you a confirmation message with pick up instructions.

DO I HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING WITH MY BOOKING?

No. We don't ask any payment with your booking for reservations for Algarve car hire using our proprietary booking procedure. These bookings are are only payed at collection time.

IS MY BOOKING GUARANTEED?

Yes, since you receive our confirmation your booking is guaranteed and your car will be waiting for you at the date/time/location you selected in the booking form. If for any unexpected reason or unforeseen situation your car can't be delivered we will send you a message explaining the situation and we always try to offer you an alternative arrangement.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NOTICE FOR BOOKINGS?

We ask that bookings be made with 48 hours notice prior pick up date. At the very least please allow us 24 hours for technical and administrative procedures.

IS THERE A CANCELLATION FEE?

No if using our Algarve booking proprietary engine, since we don't ask any online paymente during the booking process. We only ask you to inform us about your cancelation as soon as you decide it so we can have the car available for other client.

WHAT IF I FIND A BETTER RATE ELSEWHERE?

Please send us a message showing us the offer you have. In most cases lower rates have hidden costs not immediatly visible. We will analyse help you to compare the two deals and we always try to match the lower price.

I DO NOT USE A CREDIT CARD, CAN I STILL HIRE A CAR?

Yes, in certain circumstances. Please send us a message and we will let you know how you can make a reservation using your debit card.

WHAT IS YOUR FUEL POLICY?

For bookings made for the Algarve using our proprietary booking procedure, the fuel policy is "RETURN AS FOUND"

DO I NEED TO TAKE ANY BUS OF SHUTTLE TO PICK UP MY RENTED CAR?

No, For bookings made for the Algarve using our proprietary booking procedure our cars are parked at the Faro airport car park P4 that is just a short walkway distance from the arrivals.

WILL MY RENTED CAR BE INSURED?

Yes, our rental cars are delivered with third party insurance and collison damage waiver (CDW) with a low excess. If you want to waive the excess you can opt for the Super CDW. Please read our Terms & Conditions page to know the excess waiver for the different groups.

CAN I BOOK A SPECIFIC MAKE OR MODEL?

No, when you book a rental car you are booking a group; inside each group there are several makes of cars but we cannot guarantee the delivery of a specific car as it depends on the cars that are available by the time you arrive to pick up your rented car.

WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING IN CASE OF ACCIDENT?

The first thing you must be aware of that the only proof of accident is the police report. If the accident was not your fault you have nothing to pay. If the accident was your fault you will have to pay the amount of the excess if you didn't opted for Super CDW. If you opted for the Super CDW you will have nothing to pay.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF ACCIDENT?

Call the Police - 112 Call the car hire company (the telephone number is in the contract you signed at collection time). Please fill in the entire accident claim. Keep a copy of the police report. In case of car breakdown please call the car hire company to arrange the replacement of the vehicle. Please be aware that the Insurance company declines accidents not reported to the police, even if you have Super CDW Insurance.

CAN I TRAVEL ABROAD?

Rental cars insurance only covers Portugal. If you want to pass the portuguese border to Spain you need a special insurance which costs 50 Euros per hire and can be booked online with your reservation. This insurance covers accidents up to 250 Km from the border.

LATE NIGHT FLIGHTS, IS THERE ANY CHARGES?

Our normal working hours at Faro airport hours are between 21.00h - 08.30h. Our rep will be at the airport at any hour waiting for your flight but deliveries or collections outside our normal working hours are charged at 20 Euros.

DO YOU ACCEPT BOOKINGS FOR YOUNG DRIVERS?

Drivers for car hire in Algarve must have a valid drivers license from two years and be older than 22 years. Drivers with less than 25 years old have to pay a special insurance that costs 50 Euros.

CAN I PICK UP THE CAR AT ACCOMMODATION INSTEAD OF AIRPORT?

Yes. When making the search for booking please select the pick up and drop off location from the list in the search box. After, in the booking form you will have the ability of writing the exact location where you want your rental car to be delivered.

THERE WILL BE ANY HIDDEN EXTRAS?

No. The booking form and the confirmation message will show the price of the car and any possible extras or fees depending on the options you select. No other extras will be added to your booking besides the options you have made.

DURING YOUR STAY

DRIVING IN PORTUGAL

GENERAL QUESTIONS

If you have any question that is not answered here, please drop us a note and we will respond you as soon as possible.

Thank you.

If you have any doubts about the procedures to book a car rental in Algarve, or with the little things when driving a rented car in Algarve or about any other thing related, we compiled a list of the most common questions customers usually have. Please read through the links below.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

DURING YOUR STAY

DRIVING IN PORTUGAL

In general, driving in Portugal is not much different from other western European countries, where you drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO DRIVE IN PORTUGAL?

Driving licence:
If you are a citizen from the EU, your regular licence is also valid in Portugal. But if you are coming from any other non-EU country, both in Europe and abroad, your driving licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit, which is basically a multiple language translation of your own driving licence.

WHAT VEHICLE DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO DRIVE IN PORTUGAL?

Vehicle documents – you should either have both the Registration Document (a blue paper named Título de Registo de Propriedade in Portuguese) and the Vehicle Registration Certificate, known as the log book (a green one called Livrete in Portuguese), or just the all-in-one document (Documento Único Automóvel), which comprises all the necessary information about the owner and the vehicle.
If you are driving a rental car these documents should be in the car.

WHAT INSURANCE DO I HAVE IN A RENTAL CAR?

Rental Cars have Third Party insurance and Collision Damage Waiver with a low excess. The excess can be waived by buying the usually called Super CDW which excempts you of any extra payment in case of accident.

WHAT ITEMS OR DEVICES THE CAR MUST HAVE?

Apart from the documentation, there are a few other items the car must have:
Reflective warning triangle – In case the vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident, you should place this triangle behind your vehicle, to warn other drivers passing by.
Reflective safety vest – which you must wear in emergency situations when you are forced to leave the car.

ARE SEAT BELTS MANDATORY?

Yes. All the passengers must use a seat belt, which is compulsory both in the front and in the back seats.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR TREVELLING WITH CHILDREN?

If you are travelling with children under the age of 12, be advised that they cannot sit up front, unless they are taller than 150cm, and should be accommodated in appropriate child car seats.
The Right Carseat for Your Child:
Up to 1 year old and up to 20-22 pounds: Rear-facing Infant-only, Convertible or 3-in-1 seat
Ages 1-3 and 20 to 40 pounds: Rear-facing car seat until the top height and weight limit allowed by the manufacturer.
Ages 4-7 or until 4'9" tall: Forward-facing car seat until the top height and weight limit allowed by the manufacturer.
Age 8-12 or at least over 4'9": Booster Seat with lap and shoulder belts until the top height and weight limit allowed by the manufacturer.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR DRIVING AFTER DRINKING?

Portugal is known by its excellent wine and if you want to taste the excellent and still cheap portuguese wines you should consider not to drive
However, you might want to keep the intake of alcohol limited to a glass or two if you want to avoid being fined or, even worse, causing an accident. If you are stopped by the police, they may want you to take a breath alcohol test, which may result in one of the following:
- under 0.5 g/l (grams of alcohol per litre of blood) – you are within the law and will be able to continue your journey without further inconvenience.
- from 0.5 g/l to 0.8 g/l and from 0.8 g/l to 1.2 g/l - you will face a fine and suspension of licence, which will be determined by what range you fall in.
- above 1.2 g/l - you will be detained and taken before a judge. Penalties in this case include up to one year imprisonment and a three year driving ban.

WHAT ARE THE DRIVING SPEED LIMITS IN PORTUGAL?

Portuguese roads have different speed limits:
– 50 km/h for roads located in residential areas - 90 km/h in open roads
- 120 km/h in motorways.

CAN I PHONE WHILE I DRIVE?

Mobile phones may be used while driving but only can be used with a hands-free system.

CAN I LISTEN MUSIC WHILE I DRIVE?

Yes, but the sound volume should not interfere with the sounds around you and it is illegal to drive with headphones connected to a sound device.

TOLL ROADS IN PORTUGAL AND HOW TO PAY THEM?

You can drive troughout Portugal by the Nacional Roads that re free. However, if you decide to take one of the many motorways that criss-cross the country, it is likely it will be a toll road. To pay for it, there are three possible systems:
- Toll booths – at the start of the route there will be a dispensing machine from which you should collect a ticket. As you are leaving the road, hand the ticket over at the toll booth and pay the fee, which varies from road to road and depends on distance travelled.
- Frequent user system – if you are a frequent user, which is probably not the case if you are just here for a quick visit, you can subscribe to the Via Verde system which allows drivers to avoid stopping at the toll booths and instead pay a monthly fee via ATM. For this, you will need to have an electronic device attached to your windshield, which then identifies your car.
- Electronic tolls – this is a relatively new system and, so far, has only been introduced on a few motorways and main roads – A28, A29, A44, A4, A41, A42, VRI – Via Regional Interior and parts of A25 and A17. On these roads, identified as “electronic toll only”, there is an overhead electronic system that reads information from a device located in the car’s windshield, much like the Via Verde system. To pay for the toll, you must either buy a permanent electronic device or get a temporary one, which can be leased from certain motorway service stations or post offices for use in foreign-registered vehicles. These may be used for stays of up to 90 days and will be either prepaid or charged to your credit card.
The major part of the rent a car companies in Portugal and Algarve have installed transponders for electronic payment on the electronic tolls.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

If you have any question that is not answered here, please send us a message and we will respond you as soon as possible.

Thank you.

If you have any doubts about the procedures to book a car rental in Algarve, or with the little things when driving a rented car in Algarve or about any other thing related, we compiled a list of the most common questions customers usually have. Please read through the links below.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

DURING YOUR STAY

WHERE DO I PICK UP MY RENTED CAR?

Pick up instructions are sent in the confirmation message when we confirm your reservation. Please read the confirmation message carefully and send us a message if something is not clear to you.

WHERE DO I DROP OFF MY RENTED CAR?

The return of your rented car will be at the location you choose when booking and can be either at Faro airport or at your accommodation in the Algarve. When collecting the car please confirm your drop off locartion with our rep.

HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY RENTED CAR?

You can pay on collection by credit card, debit card (subjected to processing fee) or cash (with no more fees)

CAN I ADD EXTRAS ON COLLECTION?

Yes. If you want to add any extras when you collect the car just tell the rep and your options will be included in the rental agreement and added to your bill. If you are adding extra drivers please be aware that all additional drivers must be physically present at the time of rental with their own driver's licence to sign the rental agreement.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO SHOW AT COLLECTION TIME?

You will need to bring:
- The confirmation message we sent you by email - Your driver licence. UK licence holders MUST bring the photo card and the paper counterpart of their licence. Your driver licence must be written in Roman alphabet. - A piece of identity: Your identity card or passport. - A valid credit card in the driver's name. - If you plan on adding additional drivers to your contract, all drivers must be present and show their driver licence.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF ACCIDENT?

Call the Police - 112 Call the car hire company (the telephone number is in the contract you signed at collection time). Please fill in the entire accident claim. Keep a copy of the police report. In case of car breakdown please call the car hire company to arrange the replacement of the vehicle. Please be aware that the Insurance company declines accidents not reported to the police, even if you have Super CDW Insurance.

WHAT IF I WANT TO EXTEND MY RENTAL?

If you want to extend your rental while in the Algarve already driving your rented car please call the company using one of the phone numbers in the contract and arrange with the rep the extendal procedure. Please be aware that the complete period of your rental showld be reflected in the contract and you will be considered out of law and fined if police finds your contract is outdated.

DRIVING IN PORTUGAL

GENERAL QUESTIONS

If you have any question that is not answered here, please send us a message and we will respond you as soon as possible.

Thank you.

We deliver your Car Rental in Algarve at Faro airport car park and also to hotels, villas and resorts or any holiday accommodation all over the Algarve.

The main location of AlgarveCarental is located at Faro airport. We deliver our rental cars at Faro, directly from the adjacent car parking lot, opposite the departure hall. It is a short walking distance from the arrivals and therefore you will not need to be transported to a remote office with a shuttle bus.

Although Faro airport is the place where most tourists want their rental cars to be delivered on their fligh arrival, with AlgarveCarental it is possible to collect the rental car to the accommodation where you stay on the Algarve.
We can deliver your Algarve rental car to your hotel, apartment or villa. You just need to write in the booking form the exact location where you wnat the car and we will deliver there afer confirming your arrival.

Below are some examples of locations where we can deliver our rental cars in Algarve. These places are also worth to visit during your holiday on the Algarve, driving your rented car. Reason why we will try to collect here some information so you can have an aproach of the more representative locations in Algarve.

Albufeira | Alvor | Carvoeiro | Ferragudo | Portimão | Praia da Rocha | Lagos

Freely driving your Algarve rental car is the best way to know the beautiful picturesque villages of the Algarve, the beautiful nature of the interior and the stretched golden beaches with rock formations.

Rent a car with AlgarveCarental.com and you can be assured of driving a safe and well-conditioned car in the Algarve, for a fair price.
Explore here All the Locations in Algarve where we can deliver your car hire. Want your Car Hire delivered to your hotel or villa in Algarve? No problem, we will deliver there.

You can enjoy your well-deserved vacation and relax in the Algarve!

AlgarveCarental.com
Affordable Car Rental at Faro airport

If you have any doubts about the procedures to book a car rental in Algarve, or with the little things when driving a rented car in Algarve or about any other thing related, we compiled a list of the most common questions customers usually have. Please read through the links below.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

DURING YOUR STAY

DRIVING IN PORTUGAL

GENERAL QUESTIONS

About A22 Tolls Electronic Payment

How to pay A22 tolls if you drive an Algarve Car Rental car

The payment of tolls on the A22 or Via do Infante in Algarve is a major concern and is not easy for non residents. That's why all the Algarve Car Hire cars delivered by Yor Car Hire in the Algarve and booked using our booking form for Algarve are equiped with the electronic transponders for automatic payment of the A22 tolls.

The transponder does not need to be pre-booked as it will be available on arrival for all the clients that wish to have it.

All rental cars have the transponders and are connected to the license car number. They can't be removed from the car.

How can I have a transponder to go legally into the A22 road?

The transponders are available on arrival for all the clients that wish to have them; they do not need to be pre-booked.

How much will cost the transponder?

The transponder will have a cost of 20 euros, cash payment, and it already includes 15 euros of passages in it. For minibus car models will have a cost of 30 euro, cash payment, and includes 25 euros of passages in it.

I know in advance, these initial 15 euros will not be enough for my journeys. How can I add more money?

On arrival should you choose to add more money to the transponder, our representatives can recharge it with a minimum of 10 euros and multiples of 10 euros, which will be added to the initial 15 euros.

I have started and finished my holidays and I did not spend the initial 15 euros. Will I get a refund?

Unfortunately no. Any amount left to use will not be possible to refund as we do not have that facility as well.

In case I decide not to use the A22, what will happen?

You need to provide the 20 euro for deposit, anyway, on collection. In case you did not use the A22, we will refund the 20 euro.

What happen if I lose the transponder or return it damaged?

The company will charge 57 euro + Vat for the replacement of the new transponder. You must not take the transponder from the car, as the cameras in the motorways will identify the car with the plate number, and will consider as a crime, punish by the European Law.

About the Security Deposit

What is the Security Deposit?

The Security Deposit is a pre-authorization requested on your credit or debit card upon delivery of the rental car.
This deposit is to ensure that the car is returned in perfect condition and to cover damage or loss caused by events not covered by accident insurance.

What is the amount of the Security Deposit?

The amount of the Security Deposit varies depending on the rental car group and the insurance contracted.
The amount of the Security Deposit is 1.250,00 Euro for cars from groups A to D, 2.000,00 Euro for groups E to F1 and 3.500,00 Euro for groups G to O.
The amount of the Security Deposit is reduced to half or to about 1/3 when the customer contracts Super CDW or Super CDW + SPI.

How is the Security Deposit processed?

Upon delivery of your rental car your card is issued to the payment machine and a pre-authorization is requested for the Security Deposit.
This amount never leaves the customer's account to pass to our account. This amount remains in the customer's account but is available to us in case it becomes necessary in case of any abnormal situation not covered by the insurance or the car is not delivered to us in perfect condition.

What if I don't have a credit card can I use a debit card?

If you do not have a credit card you can use a debit card for Security Deposit but in this case contracting Loss Insurance is mandatory (SCDW + SPI)

What if I already have an insurance?

If you already have accident insurance on your credit card or subscribed to a foreign insurance company and you think you have automatic coverage in case you have an accident, this is not the case.
No insurance company accepts participation in an asset that it has not insured. Therefore, if you have an accident with a car for which you have not paid accident insurance, you do not have the possibility of having your participation accepted with an insurance company as you do not have insurance. This is clear.
But you have insurance that you took out in your country and you think it should be taken out in case you have an accident with a rental car in Portugal. And you think well.
If you take out SCDW or LDW insurance with us, we will take out the insurance and the damages will be covered.
If you do not want to take out our insurance and you have an accident, we will charge the deductible for the car you rented. In order to be reimbursed by your insurance company we can issue an invoice based on which your insurance company will pay you the reimbursement.

How long does it take to get back the Security Deposit?

After the car is delivered in perfect condition and all the checks are made in the presence of the customer we have to wait 3-4 days for the toll report to check if there are any tolls to pay. At that time we charge your card for tolls in case there are tickets that exceed the amount paid with the tranponder and proceed to cancel the pre-authorization on your card, so this value is unlocked.
The exact time it takes to unlock this amount depends on the banks or companies that manage the various cards, not us. The only thing we can do is give orders through the payment machine for the unlocking process.

Important note:
Some customers ask us the questions:
"When are you going to return the Security Deposit?"
or
- I cannot find on my statement the return of the Security Deposit.

These questions are not correctly formulated because:
- We cannot return a value we have never take.
- You will not find on your statement the return of this amount for the reason that it was never taken from your account. At the time of unlocking the pre-authorization the Security Deposit amount will simply be available again for you to use but it never left your account.

Is my drivers license valid to drive in Portugal?

The driving licenses of citizens of countries subscribing to the Convention on Road Traffic and/or the Convention on Traffic Circulation to which Portugal is a signatory are authorized for driving in Portugal.


Convention on Road Traffic, celebrated in Geneva on 19.09.1949, entering into force in Portugal on 27/01/1956 and the Convention on Traffic Circulation adopted in Vienna on 8 November 1968 (approved by Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic no. 107/2010, DR I, no. 178, of 13/09/2010.

Countries subscribing to one of the conventions:

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Congo, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic , Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Vatican, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka , Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tail India, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

If your driving licence is not in the Roman alphabet (i.e. if it is in Arabic, Greek, Cyrillic or Chinese), you are required to bring an International Driving Permit and your domestic licence. For driving licences from countries not part of the international driving licence treaty, an official translation of the licence must be presented with the original licence.

When renting within the EU, customers who do not hold a driving licence issued by an EU/EEA country or Switzerland must also present an International Driving Permit along with their domestic licence.

If you have any question that is not answered here, please Send a message to AlgarveCarental.com and we will respond you as soon as possible.

Thank you.

If you have any doubts about the procedures to book a car rental in Algarve, or with the little things when driving a rented car in Algarve or about any other thing related, we compiled a list of the most common questions customers usually have. Please read through the links below.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

DURING YOUR STAY

DRIVING IN PORTUGAL

GENERAL QUESTIONS

If you have any question that is not answered here, please Send a message to AlgarveCarental.com and we will respond you as soon as possible.

Thank you.