BCN · No credit card needed
Car hire without a credit card at Barcelona Airport
6 of the 19 car rental desks we rate at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport do not require a credit card in the main driver's name: debit cards are accepted for the deposit. 6 desks require a credit card, and the card rule is not confirmed yet for 7 desks (not listed here).
The best-rated desk without a credit card is Sixt T2, at 6.7/10 (Mixed); the lowest-rated is Hertz, at 3.0/10 (Poor). Known deposits at these desks start from €100 (Europcar T2) and go up to €700.
Read the conditions before you rely on a debit card: recent traveller reports mention card, licence or flight-ticket problems at pickup at Enterprise, Europcar T2, Europcar T1 and Hertz. Their reports are quoted below.
Last updated · reviewed by our editor on · How scores work · All 19 desks at Barcelona Airport
Desks at Barcelona Airport that accept debit cards
Ranked by Counterwise Score. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Desk | Score | Deposit | Location | Card problems reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Sixt T2 | 6.7Mixed | €300 | In terminal | None in our data |
| 2.Sixt T1 | 6.5Mixed | €300 | In terminal | None in our data |
| 3.Enterprise | 6.1Mixed | €200 | In terminal | Yes, see below |
| 4.Europcar T2 | 4.5Poor | €100–€500 | In terminal | Yes, see below |
| 5.Europcar T1 | 4.4Poor | €100–€500 | In terminal | Yes, see below |
| 6.Hertz | 3.0Poor | €200–€700 | In terminal | Yes, see below |
Debit card conditions and traveller reports
What recent traveller reports say about cards, licences and flight details at pickup, for each desk above (quoted from its red flags). The link goes to the rental terms or page we used for the card rule.
Sixt T2Card rule source: sixt.es
No card problems in the red flags we publish for this desk.
Sixt T1Card rule source: sixt.es
No card problems in the red flags we publish for this desk.
EnterpriseCard rule source: nationalcar.com
- Several recent reviews report debit, prepaid or mobile-wallet cards being refused for the deposit, or a refused rental over a document rule, despite conditions that travellers say were not shown at booking.
Europcar T2Card rule source: europcar.es
- Frequent reports of pressure to buy the desk's own insurance, with third-party or credit-card cover refused, debit or some credit cards rejected, and extra fees added to the contract at signing.
Europcar T1Card rule source: europcar.es
- Several recent reviews report rentals refused or made much more expensive because of card or licence rules (debit card not accepted despite a counter sign, extra card required, international licence demanded inconsistently); Europcar's own page says a credit card in the main driver's name is required.
HertzCard rule source: images.hertz.com
- Several recent reviews describe being refused a car at the counter because of the payment card (neo-bank, debit or non-matching card), despite a confirmed or prepaid booking. Travellers say this was not clear when booking.
No credit card needed at Barcelona Airport: questions and answers
Can I rent a car at Barcelona Airport without a credit card?
Yes. 6 of the 19 car rental desks at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport do not require a credit card (debit cards accepted): Sixt T2 (6.7/10), Sixt T1 (6.5/10), Enterprise (6.1/10), Europcar T2 (4.5/10), Europcar T1 (4.4/10) and Hertz (3.0/10). Check the debit card conditions when you book.
Which car hire desk without a credit card is best rated at Barcelona Airport?
Sixt T2 is the best-rated desk at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport that does not require a credit card, with a Counterwise Score of 6.7/10 (Mixed). Its typical deposit is €300.
How much is the deposit at the Barcelona Airport desks that accept debit cards?
Typical deposits at the desks without a credit-card requirement: Europcar T2 €100–€500; Europcar T1 €100–€500; Enterprise €200; Hertz €200–€700; Sixt T2 €300; Sixt T1 €300. The deposit is held on your card at pickup and released after the car is returned.
Do debit cards always work at the Barcelona Airport desks that accept them?
Not always. Recent traveller reports mention card, licence or flight-ticket problems at pickup at Enterprise, Europcar T2, Europcar T1 and Hertz. Read the desk's rental terms before you book, and bring a credit card if you have one.
Which car hire desks at Barcelona Airport require a credit card?
6 of the 19 desks require a credit card in the main driver's name: Autounion, OK Mobility, Click&Rent, Firefly, NIZA Cars and Drivalia. The card rule is not confirmed yet for Alquicoche, Centauro, Budget T1, Budget T2, Avis T2, Avis T1 and Goldcar T1.
More about car hire at Barcelona Airport
Ranking is by Counterwise Score only (or by deposit where stated). Commission never changes the order. Read our affiliate disclosure. Facts marked “Not confirmed yet” have not been verified: we never guess them.