Planning to rent a car in Spain with kids? Here is your starting point

dimple verma
7 days ago
4 min read

Planning a trip to rent a car for your Spain (or anywhere, really) trip with your little humans?

If you're anything like me, you’ve probably Googled “driving in Spain with kids” at 3 AM while your eyes are begging for some rest.

The good news: Driving in Spain can be wonderfully freeing, especially while visiting smaller towns like Setenil and Ronda, which are harder to see with public transport.

The bad news: if you’re not prepared, it can also be a logistical mess that spirals quickly when Google Translate fails at rural gas stations.

So, here’s a car rental checklist (that I kept track of for our 15-day Andalusia, Spain trip with kids) that may help you get that car rental journey sorted before you land at Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, or whatever magical Spanish city is on your list.

Checklist for car rental with kids in Spain

1. Get That International Driving Permit (IDP)

Before you even think about renting that adorable little Citroën or Peugeot, ask yourself: Do I want to pay 500 euros to the Spanish police with my already expensive trip with kids?

why do we need an IDP? — Why do you need an IDP for Spain?

Spain requires a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) if your driver’s license is not from an EU country. It is mandatory by law to have an IDP, in case you are in any form of accident or are stopped by the police. Americans like me need to get this in place first thing!

Where to get it: Download and fill out the application from the AAA website. Get two passport-size photos ready at your nearest Walmart or nearest AAA branch. Then, head over to your local AAA office along with your license and about $a 20 permit fee. You’ll be in and out in an hour. They do have a mail-in option, which I feel could be tricky if you apply last minute (which we all do!)

Pro tip: Don’t leave this to the last minute. It’s valid for one year, so get it a few weeks before your trip to stay chill.

2. Get a GPS & download maps for Spain (or Europe)

Your rental cars may say they come with GPS. But sometimes that “GPS” is a 2012 device with one bar of battery, no mount, or most likely none at all. Plus, Spanish road signs don’t always make a lot of sense.

My advice: Buy a reliable GPS (we used GPS a lot before it became a thing as a car feature itself). Download offline maps for Spain on Google Maps or Maps.me before you go.

You’ll thank me when you lose service on a mountain road outside Ronda and your kids are asking, “Are we there yet?” on repeat.

Bonus tip: Bookmark nearby supermarkets, playgrounds, and emergency gelato stops in advance.

3. Don’t Forget the Booster or Car Seat

This one gets real serious real quick. Spain is strict about car seats, and trust me, a road trip is not the time to take any risks.

Quick Spanish laws breakdown for Car seats:

Kids under 135 cm (around 4'5") need a car seat or booster. No exceptions.
Rear-facing for babies under 15 months.
Booster seats until they're tall enough for seat belts to sit properly on the shoulder and hips, not their neck and stomach. (Which is, you know, every child ever.)

You can also read this blog post to understand the rules more deeply.

Now, most rental companies offer car seats… for a fee. And by “fee,” I mean enough to make you consider just stuffing your child into a backpack.

Your options:

Bring your own: If you’re renting a car from the airport and have space in your luggage, this might be your safest bet (literally). Especially if you have older kids. I have brought our good old Cosco Booster seat for my 6-year-old, a bubblebum inflatable seat for my 4 year old.
I will write a separate post for the car seat and booster seat travel edition for travel with kids.
Rent from an outside: In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, you can rent high-quality seats from local baby gear stores, though in smaller towns, they might be harder to get.
Reserve in advance from the rental agency: If you go this route, double-check via email and phone. And prepare a backup plan if they “accidentally forget” (it happens).

4. Choose the Right Car Rental Agency (not just the Cheapest)

So many rental agencies to choose from. Some that sound too good to be true, while others that try to upsell you insurance, windshield wipers, and possibly a small goat. (funny?)

Look for:

Reputable names: Think Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, or Avis. They’re usually more reliable, especially in smaller towns.
Airport pickup: It’s convenient but often more expensive.
Transparent pricing: Hidden charges can sneak up on you
Fuel policy: “Full to full” is best. That way, you return the car with a full tank without that €70 penalty.

Paperwork checklist:

Valid driver’s license
IDP (see my point #1)
Passport
Credit card (most require one, and it needs to match the driver's name)
Rental confirmation (printed and digital because printers are weird in other countries)

Pro tip: Take photos of the car before you drive off. Every scratch, dent, snack hands (we chose to drive with kids!) All of it. Trust me, future-you will appreciate this.

5. Make a Road Trip Playlist

You may think this is an absurd checklist item. But trust me, you need some peppy songs for the road trip to soak in such fascinating views. Mix in some kid favorites (daughter loves Taylor Swift these days) and some upbeat Spanish tracks.

I am still compiling my playlist. Once it's ready, I'll share the list here.

If I have missed something important that you swear by, drop in the comments and share your amazing list. In the meantime, here is a concise version:

The Ultimate Checklist (Download This or Screenshot It!)

Before You Go:

Get an International Driving Permit (AAA)
Book a car rental from a trusted company
Reserve a car seat/booster (or pack your own)
Download Google Maps or Maps.me offline for Spain
Save addresses for hotels, airports, and parking garages
Check driving rules in Spain (e.g., speed limits, zero alcohol tolerance)
Print car rental confirmation, IDP, and travel insurance

At Pickup:

Inspect and photograph the car
Confirm fuel policy and drop-off terms
Set up GPS before driving off
Load up snacks and entertainment
Buckle up those car seats
Over we go!