- 📝 Best Car Rental Companies in Lisbon That Accept Debit Cards
- 💳 Why This Guide Is Essential
- ✅ What Counts as a “Debit-Friendly” Rental Company?
- 🏆 Top 5 Lisbon Rental Companies for Debit Card Payments (2025)
- 🧾 What You Need to Rent a Car With a Debit Card
- 🛡 Why Full Insurance Is a Must for Debit Rentals
- 💸 Price & Policy Comparison
- 📍 Where Are These Companies Located at Lisbon Airport?
- 🧠 Extra Tips for Smooth Debit Card Rental in Lisbon
- ❓ FAQ
- ✅ Summary: Best Lisbon Car Rentals for Debit Cards
- 🚘 Book Now With a Debit Card – No Credit Needed
📝 Best Car Rental Companies in Lisbon That Accept Debit Cards

💳 Why This Guide Is Essential
Most travelers don’t realize this until it’s too late:
“We arrived at Lisbon Airport… but they wouldn’t accept my debit card.”
Thousands of tourists each year are turned away by rental desks because they don’t have a credit card. Even prepaid online bookings are refused if you don’t meet the payment requirements.
But here’s the good news:
In Lisbon, several companies do accept debit cards, and some even offer zero deposit if you book with full coverage insurance.
✅ What Counts as a “Debit-Friendly” Rental Company?
We define it as a company that:
- ✅ Accepts Visa or Mastercard debit cards
- ✅ Offers low or no deposit options
- ✅ Doesn’t require a local bank-issued credit card
- ✅ Has transparent online booking terms
- ✅ Allows airport pickup or shuttle access at LIS
🏆 Top 5 Lisbon Rental Companies for Debit Card Payments (2025)
| Company | Debit Card Accepted | No Deposit Option | Full Insurance Required | Pick-up Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RecordGo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Required | LIS Airport (shuttle 5 min) |
| Centauro | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Smart Cover) | ✅ Required | LIS Airport (shuttle 7 min) |
| TurisPrime | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Sometimes | ✅ Recommended | LIS Airport (shuttle 10 min) |
| DriveOnHolidays | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ No | ✅ Strongly Advised | LIS Airport or City Center |
| OK Mobility | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Required | LIS Airport (shuttle) |
🧾 What You Need to Rent a Car With a Debit Card
To avoid issues at pickup, always bring:
- 🪪 A valid passport or EU ID
- 🚘 Driver’s license (held for minimum 12 months)
- 💳 Debit card (must be physical, Visa/Mastercard, non-prepaid)
- 📲 Booking confirmation email or voucher
- ✈️ Return flight info (some off-site rentals request this)
🛑 Not accepted:
- Virtual cards (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut virtual)
- Prepaid debit cards (Wise, N26 prepaid)
🛡 Why Full Insurance Is a Must for Debit Rentals
Without full coverage, companies will hold €800–1500 as a deposit — even on a debit card.
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
Compare real-time rental deals with no hidden fees or credit card needed.
But if you book with zero excess / full protection, you can:
- 🟢 Reduce or eliminate the deposit
- 🟢 Get faster check-in
- 🟢 Avoid unexpected costs for scratches/dents
📌 Full coverage is available:
- During online booking (cheaper)
- At the desk (more expensive)
- Via third-party insurance (requires upfront payment if a claim is needed)
💸 Price & Policy Comparison
| Car Class | RecordGo (full cover) | Centauro (Smart Cover) | DriveOnHolidays (standard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €38/day – €0 deposit | €36/day – €0 deposit | €31/day – €1000 deposit |
| Compact | €44/day – €0 deposit | €42/day – €0 deposit | €36/day – €1000 deposit |
| SUV | €58/day – €100 deposit | €54/day – €150 deposit | €50/day – €1200 deposit |
💡 Tip: Centauro’s “Smart Cover” is one of the easiest ways to skip the deposit with a debit card.
📍 Where Are These Companies Located at Lisbon Airport?
| Company | Terminal Presence | Shuttle Time | Map Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| RecordGo | ❌ (Shuttle only) | ~5 minutes | ✅ Yes |
| Centauro | ❌ (Shuttle only) | ~7 minutes | ✅ Yes |
| TurisPrime | ❌ (Shuttle only) | ~10 minutes | ✅ Yes |
| DriveOnHolidays | ✅ (some desks) | or walkable | ✅ Yes |
📍 Tip: At LIS, follow blue signs: “RENT-A-CAR shuttle zone”
🧠 Extra Tips for Smooth Debit Card Rental in Lisbon
- ✅ Book online — never try to rent debit at the desk without pre-confirmation
- ✅ Filter by “no deposit” + “debit accepted”
- ✅ Take photos of the car at pick-up and return
- ✅ Ask about toll devices — many highways are electronic
- ✅ Return full tank — most rentals use full-to-full fuel policy
❓ FAQ
Can I use someone else’s debit card?
No — the cardholder must be the main driver in most cases.
What if I’m under 25?
Many companies allow drivers aged 21+ with a young driver fee — check terms in advance.
Can I drop the car off in another city (one-way)?
Yes — RecordGo, Europcar and others allow one-way rentals with a fee (€30–70).
✅ Summary: Best Lisbon Car Rentals for Debit Cards
| Want to… | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Skip deposit completely | Centauro Smart Cover |
| Use debit card only | RecordGo, Centauro |
| Pick up fast near airport | RecordGo (shuttle) |
| Flexible young driver policy | TurisPrime, OK Mobility |
🚘 Book Now With a Debit Card – No Credit Needed
Compare trusted Lisbon Airport rental deals with:
- ✅ No credit card required
- ✅ Full insurance included
- ✅ €0 deposit options
- ✅ Free cancellation




