Taking a Rental Car Abroad: Permission, Green Card and Documents

Taking a rental car abroad takes completeness: written permission from the rental company, extra insurance, the right documents and the country's traffic rules. One missing step can put both insurance cover and the safety of the trip at risk. In this article we summarise the key points.

1. Written permission is mandatory

A rental car cannot be taken abroad without the rental company's permission. Permission is requested at booking, stating which countries you will visit. Leaving without permission voids insurance cover entirely and puts the whole cost of any theft or damage on the hirer.

2. Which countries are suitable?

At Anka Rent it is possible to travel to neighbouring countries (for example Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia) and certain European countries; however, the country list varies with vehicle class and current insurance agreements. Travel abroad is restricted on premium cars. Call our office for the current list.

3. Extra insurance (green card)

Turkish traffic insurance may not be valid in foreign countries. A green card or border insurance provides mandatory traffic insurance cover in the countries you visit. The foreign-travel fee and insurance cost are calculated by duration and country.

4. Required documents

• A valid passport and driving licence (an international permit if necessary)
• The vehicle registration and the rental company's foreign-travel permission
• A green card or valid border insurance policy
• A summary of the contract in a foreign language

5. At the border and on the road

Keep all documents with you at border crossings. Learn motorway and vignette fees (Bulgaria, Hungary and others) in advance; in some countries you must buy an electronic vignette. Fuel and traffic rules vary by country; mind speed limits and parking rules.

6. Breakdown and accident

Roadside assistance scope varies by country; in a breakdown abroad call the Anka Rent 24/7 line. In an accident obtain a local police report; the insurance process cannot work without it.

Customs and temporary import

A rental car with foreign plates falls under the temporary import regime. In many countries documents containing the hirer's name, the contract number and the rental company's written permission are requested at the border. Missing documents can delay or prevent crossing.

Return on the way back

Leaving the car in another country (one-way) is usually not possible or carries a very high fee. Plan to return to the office where the trip started or the agreed point.

Before you set off

• Has written permission to travel abroad been obtained?
• Has a green card or border insurance been arranged?
• Have you learned the vignette/motorway system of the countries to be visited?
• Are emergency numbers and the 24/7 line saved?

If you have plans abroad, simply write it in the notes section when booking; we handle the permission and insurance paperwork.