Automatic Car Rental in Croatia

Automatic rental cars usually cost €15–20 more per day than manual cars. Prices can also vary by season, location, supplier, and individual traveller preferences.

ℹ️ Note: The automatic surcharge stays about the same year-round; seasonal demand tends to affect the base rental price.

Yes. A credit card (not a debit card) is the standard payment method used by suppliers to hold the security deposit, regardless of the transmission type. The card must usually be in the main driver’s name.

✅ Check whether your travel companion can be registered as the main driver and use their card to book if you don’t have a personal credit card. You can be added as an additional driver in that situation.

No. A security deposit of about €1,000–1,200 is required by nearly all suppliers. The requirement is applicable to both manual and automatic transmission vehicles. As long as the car is returned undamaged and with no traffic fines, the deposit is released in full within 7-21 days.

⚠️ Make sure your credit card has sufficient available credit to cover both the deposit and your trip expenses.

Car rentals in Croatia often include standard third-party liability as a legal requirement, along with CDW and theft protection. But you may still be liable to pay an excess, depending on the car type and supplier. Damage to tyres, glass, the undercarriage, and the roof is not covered by standard insurance, which is why travellers often purchase a Full Protection or Super CDW upgrade to avoid out-of-pocket expenses in case of any damage.

💡 Check what’s already covered in your existing insurance policy to avoid an unnecessary purchase. For example, itineraries restricted to well-maintained city roads might not actually need underbody protection.

Although renters at least 21 years old are widely accepted by suppliers, those as young as 18 may be allowed to hire compact or economy cars. Drivers under the required minimum age that varies by supplier are subject to a surcharge.

✅ Read the terms and conditions of a suitable deal to confirm driver age and licence eligibility before making a reservation.

Drivers with EU and EEA licences are generally recognised by local suppliers. An IDP (International Driving Permit) must be accompanied by your original licence if you use a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Japanese, Chinese) or are from a non-EU country.

ℹ️ You must carry both your domestic licence and your IDP at all times, as transmission type makes no difference to the legal requirements of driving in Croatia.

The most common fuel policy in Croatia is Full-to-Full, under which the car is provided with a full tank and must be returned full. Other options for renters also include:

✅ Always fill up before returning the car as per the agreed-upon fuel policy; a missing fuel charge, along with a service fee, will be charged by the supplier.

Yes. Automatics are generally the easier choice for visitors. Travellers find them particularly useful on the steep old-town approaches in Dubrovnik and Split. Coastal drives on the Adriatic highway and congested multi-lane traffic on city centre roundabouts are easier to manage with automatics.

Yes, but you must take the supplier’s prior approval for ferry crossings with rental vehicles. An additional ferry crossing fee often applies as per supplier policies. Not all suppliers permit ferry crossing with a rental and not for all car categories.

⚠️ Since availability of automatic cars is more limited, confirm with your supplier and book both the car and the car ferry ticket separately in advance, as spaces to Croatia islands tend to fill up much faster in summer.

Yes, but you must confirm with the rental company in advance and may need a cross-border permit and additional insurance (green card). This applies the same way regardless of transmission type.

⚠️ Unauthorised cross-border travel will void your rental insurance and may result in hefty fines from the supplier. Also, purchase a Slovenian e-vignette online before entering the motorway network if you plan to use Slovenian motorways.