Car Rental in Palma de Mallorca (2026) - Driving Guide & Best Rates

EU and EEA licences are accepted without restriction in Spain, including Mallorca. Non-EU licence holders (US, UK, Australian, etc.) may generally drive using their home-country licence for the duration of a short tourist stay under Spanish traffic law. Once residency is established, a Spanish licence is required. For licences issued in a non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc.), an International Driving Permit is a practical legal necessity since Spanish authorities cannot read the original, for all other non-EU visitors, an IDP is strongly recommended as officers may request one alongside the original licence.

Spanish law sets the minimum driving age at 18; this is the legal floor. Rental company age policies are a separate commercial matter and vary considerably, some companies rent from age 18 or 21, while others require 25 for certain vehicle categories. Drivers under 25 are frequently subject to a young-driver surcharge regardless of the stated minimum age. This is a company policy, not a legal mandate, so confirm the specific company's rules before booking.

Spanish law requires every vehicle on the road to carry third-party liability insurance (seguro obligatorio); rental companies are legally obligated to include this in every rental, so the base rate always covers this minimum. Above that legal floor, companies offer additional commercial products, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection, and excess-reduction cover, which are optional add-ons, not legal requirements. Some credit cards include CDW-equivalent cover for car rentals. Verify your card's terms before accepting or declining the rental company's offer.

This is a rental company policy, not a legal requirement. But it is effectively universal in practice: the vast majority of rental companies in Mallorca require a valid credit card in the primary driver's name to authorise a security deposit, and many will not accept debit cards or prepaid cards for this purpose. The deposit amount is blocked on the card at vehicle collection and released after undamaged return. The exact amount varies by company and vehicle class.

Spain drives on the right. Turning right on a red light is not permitted, you must wait for a green signal, which is a common source of confusion for drivers from North America. At roundabouts, vehicles already circulating have priority over those entering. Watch for yield markings at each entry point. Spanish law also requires a reflective safety vest to be stored in the passenger compartment (not the boot) and worn immediately if you exit the vehicle on a motorway or fast road. Rental cars typically supply one.