For some of united states who don't have credit cards – either considering you haven't got a proficient credit rating notwithstanding, or you just don't believe in paying outrageous fees and staggering interest rates – hiring a auto has been a bit of a nightmare recently. Most machine hire companies need a credit carte these days – even if you offering a holding deposit, plus proof of car hire and travel insurance.

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Now y'all can rent a car with your debit bill of fare in Italy. Prototype past Alexander Spatari/Getty Images

Well, good news folks, Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty take just appear customers can now rent a motorcar using a valid debit carte du jour in a host of countries beyond Europe. The new payment option gives customers with a Mastercard debit carte, and other recognised debit cards, access to standard car and van rentals at central European locations, opening upward the rental marketplace for new users just as we get-go the summertime holiday season. The updated policy applies to Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, kingdom of the netherlands, Slovakia, mainland Spain and the United Kingdom.

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Hire a car in Federal republic of germany using your debit card. Image by Classen Rafael / EyeEm / Getty Images

Tracy Gehlan, Senior Vice President, Hertz Europe, commented: "A significant number of people practise non have access to a credit card or simply adopt to use their debit menu for certain transactions. The new 'pay your own manner' pick is all about offering customers greater flexibility, convenience and selection in how they rent from the states, putting them in the driving seat."

Debit card users can now hire cars in many parts of Europe

Major machine hire firms to allow debit card utilise in Europe. Photo by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Mauro Fiorentino, Vice President of Merchant Partnerships at Mastercard commented: "We know people'due south selection of how to pay differs, then it'due south essential nosotros piece of work together with partners like Hertz to broaden acceptance and give customers that choice in how to pay. Enabling Debit Mastercard credence at Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty is a major stride forward and it volition improve the overall customer experience for our cardholders beyond Europe."

Customers using a debit card will undergo the same ID and commuter licence checks before renting a machine or van. A pre-authorised eolith for the vehicle will be held on the customer's business relationship, then make certain y'all have the cash available on top of the money yous demand for your trip. In one case the vehicle has been returned, the reserved amount/eolith is released – less any owed charges for fuel, unpaid road tolls or fines you might have incurred on the road.

Typically, it can take iv to seven days for the client's deposit to announced dorsum in their account, depending on the card issuer. Hertz advises customers to check with their bill of fare issuer for farther details. Lonely Planet advises you read about some of their staffers best European route trips and go road trip planning.