Car rental in Italy is officially allowed from the age of 18 years. You must be in possession of a valid driver's license for at least 1 year. In practice, insurers impose mandatory conditions on car rental companies. As a result, you may face surcharges in the following situations, which we will further explain below.
- If you are under 26 years old;
- If you have had your driver's license for less than 3 years;
- When you are over 70 years old.
Age under 21
There are car rental companies in Italy where you can rent a car at the age of 18 to 21 years old. Even if you have only had your driver's license for less than one year. However, the rental companies will have several conditions:
- The choice in the number of models you can rent is limited;
- There is an age fee.
These are examples of cars you can rent:
Opel Corsa
Smart Fortwo
Because of the age supplement you pay quite a bit more for your rental car than someone of 25 years and older. That difference is about €130 (157 USD) to €200 (241 USD) per week. Even if the renter is 25 years of age or older, and you are listed as a second driver when you are 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old, you will pay the more expensive rental price.
There are rental companies, that do not add the age supplement to the amount to be paid on the website. The age supplement (fee) is only paid when you pick up the car. Each rental company has its own rules, so what applies to one does not necessarily apply to the other.
Tip
There are rental companies that apply a different age limit when you pick up the car from a city office instead of the airport. Whether this applies to the car of your choice can be read in the rental company's terms and conditions.
See which cars you can rent at 18, 19, or 20 — and what age fees apply up front.
Age from 21 to 26 years
From the age of 21 years, you can rent a car in Italy from almost all rental companies. However, you still pay a young driver surcharge. That comes down to an average of about €100 (120 USD) to €200 (241 USD) per week. You can't rent all models, yet, but some models will be available if you pay the applicable surcharge for that model.
Not all rental companies have the same age limits, there are rental companies that do:
- only rent a car from the age of 23 years;
- reduce the age without restrictions to 23 or 24 years, allowing you to rent more models without a surcharge;
- increase the minimum age to 22 or 23 years, giving you a wider choice of models.
The rules vary from rental company to rental company, so it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully before booking.
Age of 26 years and older
From the age of 26 you can rent a car anywhere in Italy with a valid driver's license. So, you can ask any rental company for the price and choose the best offer.
In Italy, there is officially no maximum age limit for renting a car. Some companies do not rent a car to people over 80 years old. However, this is almost never the case. Before choosing a car, always read the terms and conditions of the rental company.
Use our comparison tool to see what’s available — filtered by your age.
Age and Car Rental in Italy – FAQs
Can I rent a car in Italy at 18 years old?
Yes, some rental companies in Italy allow drivers from 18, often with a young driver fee and a limited choice of vehicles. Rules vary by provider.
What age-related fees apply when renting in Italy?
If you're under 26 or over 70, you may face an age surcharge. This fee is always listed in the rental company’s terms and conditions. On our platform, it’s often shown during booking or already included in the total price.
Is there a maximum age to rent a car in Italy?
Legally, there’s no maximum age. Most companies accept drivers over 70 or even 80, but a few set their own upper limits. Always check the rental terms before booking.
Do young driver fees apply to second drivers too?
Yes, if a second driver is under 21 (or under 25, depending on the company), a surcharge may still apply — even if the main driver is older.
How can I compare age rules between rental companies?
That’s where we come in. Road Trip Car lets you easily compare rental car deals by age group — including fees, age limits, and conditions — before you book.
