A rental car at a petrol station by Lake Garda, Italy

Car rent in Italy with a debit card (no hidden conditions!)

Dreaming of cruising through Tuscany’s rolling hills or driving through breath-taking serpentines of Alps? Renting a car in Italy offers unparalleled freedom. But what if you don’t have a credit card? That is absolutely no problem! You can rent a car in Italy with a debit card and you can get a great deal with it! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, highlighting Autorentwiz recommendations and essential tips. At the end of this guide you will be an expert in renting a car with a debit card in Italy. If you will still have any doubts or questions, please message us and our car rental experts will be more than happy to help!

Data last verified: October 2026. Written by Simas Krasaitis, founder of Autorentwiz and former head of car rental at ADCRent.

Short on time? The key facts:

  • Debit card only is common: about 6 in 10 travellers who contact us have only a debit card
  • No deposit: Locauto (only a symbolic 0,01 EUR card authorisation), with a debit card
  • Debit cards accepted: Locauto, Maggiore, Alamo, Keddy by Europcar, Centauro, Dollar and Hertz, Budget / Avis and Sixt, with no deposit at Locauto (only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation) and about 200 to 1600 EUR at the others
  • Credit card only: Sicily by Car and Goldcar
  • The card: a physical Visa or Mastercard debit card in the main driver’s name. Maestro and Visa Electron are refused at many desks
  • Revolut: rarely accepted. Keddy and Europcar at Cagliari take a Revolut credit card (not debit) for the deposit, and Masi Car Noleggio at Palermo takes Revolut too
  • No card at all: Automania no-deposit offers at Palermo, Catania, Trapani, Naples, Bari and Pisa
  • Price: in our March 2027 search, the cheapest offer that accepts a debit card cost about twice the cheapest offer at Bari and Bergamo

Where to book a rental car in Italy

Autorentwiz is a discount car rental booking site: you book the same rental companies for less than booking direct, and car rental experts who once worked behind the rental desk help you choose for free. We can give the discount because our booking partner pays us a commission, and we give part of it back to you.

  • Book online yourself: our search shows all the companies at your pick-up location, and the discount is applied automatically.
  • Free consultation by car rental experts on Messenger: send us your dates, card and landing time, and we pick the offers that fit. The discount is the same as with the search button.
  • Help before, during and after the rental: if something goes wrong at the desk, message us and we help sort it out.

Why book with Autorentwiz?

Why do car rental companies require a debit or a credit card?

Car rental companies need some sort of a security guarantee when they issue that expensive new car. Your bank card gives the rental company an ability to protect themselves against any losses that may occur from you renting their car. Think of any new potential damages, theft, unpaid traffic tickets, ZTL tickets and empty fuel tank. By the way, ZTL tickets are pretty sneaky and may be issued to you if you drive into a city centre with a rental car. Make sure to read about it more here before driving into any city in Italy. If a charge you do not recognise appears on your card weeks after the return, our guide to unexpected card charges after a rental explains how to find out why.

Autorentwiz tip: Do not be discouraged by high deposit amounts, unless they are restraining you financially more than you are comfortable with. Higher deposits usually mean fewer customers for the car rental company which means a better offer for you. Make sure to read our guide on how to choose a great car rental offer first! For the deposits at each Italian airport, see our car rental in Italy guide.

Requirements for a debit card when renting a car in Italy

While debit cards are accepted, it is very important to meet the following requirements:

  • Cardholder name: the debit card must be under the main driver’s name. This means that when you make a booking, you must put down the name of the person who will be driving the car.
  • Sufficient funds: you will need to have enough funds for the car rental company to authorise the deposit from your debit card. Also, if you chose a partial payment offer then bear in mind, that you will likely have to pay the remaining amount for car rental from the same card.
  • Card type: most car rental companies will only accept Visa and Mastercard bank cards. Make sure you have your physical debit card; you can’t use the one on your phone. And we suggest it’s from a regular bank. Due to a history of scams involving virtual bank cards, car rental companies are generally hesitant to accept those from providers such as Revolut, Monese, and Wise. Maestro and Visa Electron debit cards are refused at many desks too. At Bergamo and Rome Ciampino, for example, Locauto, Alamo, Hertz and Centauro do not take Maestro, and Dollar refuses Visa Electron as well. At Treviso, Locauto, Alamo, Maggiore and Noleggiare do not take Maestro.
  • Expiry date: some car rental companies require your debit card’s expiry date to be 2-6 months after the last day of the booking. This is a security measure from a car rental company in case there would be any parking, speed or ZTL violations.
  • Full insurance: you might be required to purchase full insurance offered by the rental company on the spot. This is a prime example of why using an ‘accepts debit card’ filter blindly on a car rental platform can end badly. You must always check the rental conditions to see if you can use your debit card for security deposit without such requirements!

Example of Deposit requirements at Rental conditions page

If you book your car rental in Italy with a debit card through our discount link, this is the information you will see under Rental conditions:

A screenshot of the Rental conditions page showing that you can rent this car model with a debit card.
Deposit conditions for Locauto car rental supplier. It is very important to check if there are any additional requirements for a bank card at the bottom of the accepted cards list.

We covered the most common requirements for using a debit card to rent a car in Italy. If you are not sure about whether your chosen car rental company will accept a debit card or you are looking for our recommendation, message Autorentwiz on Messenger.

Best car rental companies in Italy that do not require a credit card

Below you will find our recommendations on great companies that accept debit cards. We also usually find that these companies have the best car rental prices in the markets for debit card holders. Locauto, Alamo, Maggiore, Sixt and Centauro are all big car rental companies. This is great, because they cover most of the airports in Italy and have city centre locations. We highly advise you to check the reviews of the mentioned companies. Each location has its own separate reviews, meaning that one branch can be operating much worse than the other. Locauto, Alamo, Maggiore and the rest have good reviews at most locations, but some branches have issues.

Autorentwiz highly recommends booking through our discount link. Renting a car in Italy with a debit card can have extra costs. However, Locauto, Alamo and the other offers there have no extra charges if you use a debit card! You will also find full coverage, which we advise adding to your booking. Full coverage directly from a rental company is usually 2-4 times more expensive.

Disclosure: I (Simas, founder of Autorentwiz) worked with Discovercars as a car rental supplier with ADCRent. They have been the most fantastic partner out of all the platforms we were working with. Autorentwiz earns a small commission at no additional cost to you if you book via our affiliate link. I also encourage messaging us to get advice or a personal offer tailored to your needs. We are always happy to consult you regarding any car rental questions.

Does Locauto accept debit cards in Italy?

Yes. Locauto accepts debit cards at the airports in our guides (at Rimini, at its office in the city) and asks for no deposit, only a symbolic 0,01 EUR authorisation at pick-up. At Bergamo, Milan Malpensa, Pisa, Rimini, Rome Ciampino and Treviso it does not take Maestro cards.

We love this supplier! This is our recommendation for anyone who is looking to rent a car for the first time. Locauto has consistently strong reviews throughout Italy. Their main selling point is no deposit, only a symbolic 0,01 EUR authorisation at pick-up, on a debit or a credit card. If you are using a debit card, Locauto car hire is a perfect choice!

Autorentwiz tip: Locauto has excellent customer service. If you have any additional questions, you can use a live chat box on their website. This won’t be your usual AI generated chat box! Instead you will be talking to a Locauto car rental company representative.

Does Alamo accept debit cards in Italy?

Yes. Alamo accepts debit cards with a deposit of about 500 EUR on its most common car categories, at airports such as Palermo, Cagliari, Naples, Milan Malpensa, Pisa, Rome Ciampino and Treviso.

Alamo is another great choice for someone who is looking to rent a car in Italy with a debit card. Fun fact: Alamo, Locauto, Enterprise and National are operated by the same company. You can expect the same level of service and cars from these companies, however, prices and conditions vary. Locauto and Alamo have more competitive offers than the other two. As of today, Alamo requires a 500 EUR deposit which can be authorised by using a debit or a credit card for the most common car categories. Premium class and 6+ seaters have stricter deposit requirements.

We recommend booking Alamo through our discount link for the best prices. If you need information that is not shown in the offer, look for it on Alamo‘s official website.

Does Maggiore accept debit cards in Italy?

Yes. Maggiore accepts debit cards. The deposit starts at about 200 EUR but changes by offer and airport: 200 EUR at Palermo, 200-500 EUR at Trapani and Treviso, and up to 1415 EUR at Pisa.

This local franchise can sometimes have really great offers and they also accept debit cards. Maggiore excels at their automatic car selection. For those seeking automatic SUVs, Locauto and Alamo are excellent options, whereas Maggiore excels with fantastic automatic economy car deals. Maggiore has a rocky reputation in certain locations, such as Bergamo or Fiumicino airport. Make sure that their review score is higher than 8.0 at any given location before choosing a car rental deal.

At some locations in Italy Maggiore offers online check-in and quick contactless pick-up procedure. Look out for a ‘Contactless Pick-up’ widget next to their offers. This is what you can expect from the procedure. During the summer seasons it can get really crowded. Using online check-in feature with contactless pick-up procedure can vastly decrease the amount of time taken to pick up your rental car.

Autorentwiz tip: Maggiore‘s deposits vary between offers on our discount link, and they do not always match how expensive the car is. Make sure to check out all of their provided offers in order to grab a deal with a lower deposit.

Does Sixt accept debit cards in Italy?

Yes, at the airports in our guides where we recommend it: Milan Malpensa, Bergamo, Pisa, Rimini, Rome Ciampino and Treviso. The deposit on a debit card depends on the airport and the car: from about 300 EUR at Pisa and 400 EUR at Milan Malpensa, about 465-600 EUR for a small car at Bergamo, Rome Ciampino and Treviso, and up to about 1600 EUR for a big car. At Rimini, Rome Ciampino and Treviso a credit card needs only 300 EUR.

While Sixt is usually the more expensive offer, they can be the only option to rent a car with a debit card in less populated cities and smaller airports. They have average deposit sizes, however, this is a premium brand with a high level of customer service. You can expect to get fairly new cars with them which will have convenient extras such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Sixt is also one of the few suppliers with premium car offers that can be rented by using a debit card.

Does Centauro accept debit cards in Italy?

Yes. Centauro accepts debit cards at Olbia, Bergamo, Pisa and Rome Ciampino, but its deposit is one of the highest. With its own zero-excess cover the deposit starts from about 40 EUR.

Centauro can be compared to Locauto in terms of service quality and pricing. However, they require pretty hefty deposits, ranging from about 990 to 1500 EUR. Centauro also has online check-in which makes them a perfect selection for those busy summer seasons.

Autorentwiz tip: Centauro has zero deductible offers, and they can work out cheaper than a basic offer plus separate full coverage. Message us and we will find the Centauro zero deductible offer for your dates, with our discount applied. This is what such an offer looks like.

A rental offer that accepts debit cards and has full insurance already included in the offer.
This offer might look expensive at first glance, but this is the final price that you will have to pay which already has full insurance!

Does Europcar accept debit cards in Italy?

Yes, through Keddy by Europcar, the group’s budget brand. In our airport guides Keddy accepts debit cards with a deposit of about 800 EUR: 800 EUR at Bergamo, Cagliari and Treviso and in Rimini city, 800-1000 EUR at Alghero and 800-1200 EUR at Olbia.

Cagliari is a rare exception for online bank cards: Keddy there also accepts a Revolut credit card for the deposit. Europcar at Cagliari takes credit cards only, including a Revolut credit card, with a 500 EUR deposit. If you see an offer under the Europcar name itself, check the payment terms in its rental conditions before you book, or message us and we will check it for you.

Does Sicily by Car accept debit cards in Italy?

No. Sicily by Car requires a credit card in the main driver’s name, in Sicily, in Sardinia and on the mainland. If you only have a debit card, skip its offers.

With a credit card it is a good option: the deposit is usually around 200 EUR on small and medium cars (up to about 1480 EUR on big ones), and at Bergamo, Pisa, Rimini, Rome Ciampino and Treviso it drops to 100 EUR if you take its own zero-excess cover. Ferries are allowed, and driving abroad is free in 19 countries. Flying to Sicily with a debit card? Our Sicily car rental guide compares the companies that accept one.

Which car hire companies accept debit cards in Italy?

In short: Locauto, Budget, Avis, Maggiore, Alamo, Enterprise, National, Dollar, Hertz, Keddy by Europcar and Centauro accept a debit card, Sixt does at some airports, and Sicily by Car and Goldcar need a credit card.

Debit card rules differ by company and sometimes by airport. This is how the companies we work with handle debit cards in Italy, based on our airport guides (October 2026).

CompanyDebit cardDeposit with a debit card
LocautoYesNo deposit (0,01 EUR card authorisation)
Budget / AvisYes200 EUR at Cagliari and Pisa, 200-800 EUR at Alghero (Avis)
MaggioreYesfrom about 200 EUR, up to 1415 EUR at Pisa
AlamoYesabout 500 EUR (also Enterprise and National)
SixtYes (Milan Malpensa, Bergamo, Pisa, Rimini, Rome Ciampino, Treviso)from about 300 EUR, up to about 1600 EUR for a big car
Dollar / HertzYesabout 700 EUR
Keddy by EuropcarYes800-1200 EUR; Revolut credit card accepted at Cagliari
CentauroYesabout 990-1500 EUR, from about 40 EUR with its own cover
AutomaniaNo-deposit offers need no cardstandard offers: credit card, around 700 EUR
Sicily by CarNocredit card required
GoldcarNocredit card required

Which companies accept debit cards at each Italian airport?

In short: Locauto accepts a debit card with no deposit at every airport in our guides (at Rimini, at its city office); the other companies change from airport to airport.

Debit card rules change from airport to airport, so we check them desk by desk. The table shows which of our recommended companies accept a debit card at the airports in our guides, and how much each one blocks.

AirportCompanies that accept a debit card (deposit)
Alghero (Sardinia)
Car rental at Alghero Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200-800 EUR), Avis (200-800 EUR), Keddy (800-1000 EUR), NOLAUTO.IT (1000-1500 EUR)
Bari (mainland)
Bari Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), RecordGo (from 1200 EUR)
Bergamo (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Bergamo Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Alamo, Enterprise (500 EUR), SIXT (about 520-590 EUR for small cars), Dollar, Hertz, Thrifty (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR) at the airport; Centauro (990-1500 EUR) off the airport, by shuttle
Cagliari (Sardinia)
Car rental at Cagliari Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Budget/Avis (200 EUR), Maggiore (200-700 EUR), Alamo/National/Enterprise (500 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR, also Revolut credit card)
Catania (Sicily)
Catania Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation)
Milan Malpensa (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Milan Malpensa Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Alamo, Enterprise, National (500 EUR), Flizzr (about 500 EUR), Sixt (400-1000 EUR), Dollar (700 EUR)
Naples (mainland)
Car rental at Naples Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Alamo (500 EUR)
Olbia (Sardinia)
Olbia Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Keddy (800-1200 EUR), Centauro (1000-1500 EUR)
Palermo (Sicily)
Debit card car rental at Palermo Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR), Alamo (500 EUR), Dollar/Hertz (700 EUR), Masi Car Noleggio (about 1200 EUR, also Revolut)
Pisa (mainland)
Car rental at Pisa Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Budget (200 EUR), Maggiore (200-1415 EUR), SIXT (300-1054 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise (500 EUR), Dollar, Thrifty, Hertz (700 EUR), Centauro (990-1500 EUR), SRC Rent Car (most offers)
Rimini (mainland)
Rimini Airport: renting with a debit card
SIXT (about 500-850 EUR), Flizzr (about 480-555 EUR) at the airport; Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Noleggiare (600-800 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR) in Rimini city
Rome Ciampino (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Rome Ciampino Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Alamo, Enterprise (500 EUR), SIXT (about 490-600 EUR), Dollar, Hertz (700 EUR) at the airport; Centauro (990-1500 EUR) off the airport, by shuttle
Trapani (Sicily)
Car rental at Trapani Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200-500 EUR), Alamo (500 EUR)
Treviso (mainland)
Treviso Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200-500 EUR), SIXT (about 465-575 EUR for small cars), Alamo (500 EUR), Noleggiare (600-1000 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR), all in the terminal
Pescara (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Pescara Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200-340 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Noleggiare (600 EUR), Flizzr (620-840 EUR), SIXT (630-1130 EUR), Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR)
Brindisi (mainland)
Car rental at Brindisi Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Alamo and Enterprise (500 EUR), Thrifty and Dollar (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR), all at the airport
Lamezia Terme (mainland)
Lamezia Terme Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Budget (200 EUR), Alamo and Enterprise (500 EUR), Flizzr (630-860 EUR), Dollar, Hertz and Thrifty (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR), SRC Rent Car (800 EUR, small cars only)
Rome Fiumicino (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Rome Fiumicino Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Hertz and Dollar (700 EUR), all at the airport
Venice Marco Polo (mainland)
Car rental at Venice Marco Polo Airport with a debit card
Dolomiti Rent a Car (0 EUR, meeting point), Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Flizzr (about 454-463 EUR on small cars), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar (700 EUR), Record go (900-1200 EUR, by shuttle), SIXT (check the card rules in your offer)
Bologna (mainland)
Bologna Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR on small cars), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Flizzr (about 510-1070 EUR), Hertz and Thrifty (700 EUR), SRC Rent Car (800 EUR, small cars only), Record go (900-1600 EUR), Centauro (990-1500 EUR), SIXT (about 530-1620 EUR, dearer rate only)
Florence (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Florence Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Flizzr (about 450 EUR), SIXT (from about 460 EUR, regular offers), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Dollar (700 EUR)
Turin (mainland)
Car rental at Turin Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR on a Fiat 500 or Opel Corsa), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Thrifty and Dollar (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR), all at the airport
Milan Linate (mainland)
Milan Linate Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR), Flizzr (from about 475 EUR), SIXT (from about 490 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Thrifty (700 EUR), Hertz (700 EUR, some cars only), Keddy (800 EUR), all in the arrivals hall
Verona (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Verona Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR), Flizzr (about 439-450 EUR), SIXT (about 447-466 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Hertz and Dollar (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR), all at the airport
Reggio Calabria (mainland)
Car rental at Reggio Calabria Airport with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), SIXT and Flizzr (from about 584 EUR), Noleggiare (600 EUR on small cars), Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty (700 EUR), all a short walk from arrivals
Trieste (mainland)
Trieste Airport: renting with a debit card
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200-478 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Flizzr (about 508-610 EUR), SIXT (about 530-868 EUR), Noleggiare (from 600 EUR, or 190-390 EUR on zero-excess offers), Hertz (700 EUR on small cars), Keddy (800 EUR), all in the arrivals hall
Genoa (mainland)
Debit card car rental at Genoa Airport
Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Maggiore (200 EUR), Flizzr (about 440 EUR), SIXT (about 451 EUR), Alamo, Enterprise and National (500 EUR), Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz (700 EUR), Keddy (800 EUR), all at the airport
Companies we recommend that accept a debit card, by airport, with their deposits. Deposits depend on car class and dates; always check the terms of your offer. Automania no-deposit offers at Palermo, Catania, Trapani, Naples, Bari and Pisa need no card at all.

Palermo, Catania and Trapani airports are compared in our Sicily deposit and debit card comparison. How to rent at Alghero, Olbia and Cagliari with no deposit or with a debit card is covered in our guide to renting a car in Sardinia.

Is renting a car in Italy with a debit card more expensive?

Often, yes, but not because of a debit card fee. The companies we recommend do not charge extra for a debit card. The difference is that many of the cheapest offers accept only credit cards, so the cheapest offer you can book with a debit card is often a pricier one.

In our search on 1 October 2026 for a 7-day rental in mid-March 2027, the cheapest car at Bari cost about 92 EUR for the whole week, while the cheapest one that accepts a debit card cost about 194 EUR. At Bergamo it was about 111 EUR against 214 EUR. At Alghero there was no difference: about 100 EUR either way.

Prices change daily, so compare both before you book. Our month-by-month car rental prices for Italy show the cheapest debit-card car costing more in every month of the year. If you only have a debit card, message us and we will find the best offer that accepts it, with our discount applied.

Conclusion: is it worth renting a car in Italy with just a debit card?

A million times yes! You are very likely to find over 1000 different car rental offers in the most popular airports in Italy such as Bergamo, Malpensa, Fiumicino, Pisa and so on. Out of all these offers, there are quite a few great car rental deals where a debit card is sufficient. It is worth noting that renting a car with a credit card is just a tad bit easier than with a debit card. This is due to the fact that you don’t have to check if there are any additional requirements for having just a debit card.

Looking for the perfect car rental in Italy that welcomes debit cards? We can help! Message us to consult us free of charge!

Before you message us, read what you get when you rent with Autorentwiz. It covers our discount, free help and what we do not do.

FAQ: renting a car in Italy with a debit card

Can I rent a car in Italy with a debit card?

Yes. Locauto, Alamo, Maggiore, Sixt and Centauro all accept debit cards in Italy. The card must be a physical Visa or Mastercard issued in the main driver’s name, and you need enough available funds for the deposit. Always check the rental conditions of your specific offer, because some debit card bookings require you to buy the supplier’s own insurance at the counter.

Which car rental company in Italy has the lowest deposit for debit cards?

Locauto, which takes no deposit, only a symbolic 0,01 EUR authorisation on a debit or a credit card at pick-up. Maggiore starts at about 200 EUR, Alamo asks about 500 EUR for common car categories, and Centauro is among the highest at about 990 to 1500 EUR.

Can I use Revolut, Wise or Monese to rent a car in Italy?

Rarely. Most Italian rental desks refuse cards from online-only banks such as Revolut, Wise or Monese, even when they carry a Visa or Mastercard logo. Exceptions exist: Keddy and Europcar at Cagliari accept a Revolut credit card (not debit) for the deposit, and Masi Car Noleggio at Palermo accepts Revolut too. Elsewhere, the option is an offer that needs no card at pick-up, such as Automania’s no-deposit offers. Message us and we will pick an offer that works with your Revolut card.

Does the debit card have to be in the driver’s name?

Yes, always. The card must belong to the main driver listed on the booking. A card belonging to a partner, parent or friend will be refused at the counter even if that person is standing there. This is the most common reason travellers are turned away.

Do I pay extra for using a debit card in Italy?

Not as a fee with the companies we recommend: Locauto, Alamo and the others do not add a debit card surcharge. But many of the cheapest offers accept only credit cards, so the cheapest offer that takes a debit card can cost more. In our March 2027 search it cost about twice as much at Bari and Bergamo. Some other companies also make you buy their own full insurance with a debit card, which is why the rental conditions matter more than the headline price.

How long does the deposit stay blocked on a debit card?

The deposit is frozen for the whole rental and is usually released within a week of returning the car, at the latest within 30 days. With a debit card the money leaves your available balance, unlike a credit card where it only reduces your limit. Budget for that during the trip.

Can I rent a car in Italy without a credit card?

Yes. Pay the deposit with a debit card, or choose a no-deposit offer: Automania needs no card at all at Palermo, Catania, Trapani, Naples, Bari and Pisa. Tell us which card you have and we only send offers that accept it.

Can I rent a car in Italy with no deposit?

Yes, at most Italian airports we cover. Locauto asks for no deposit, only a symbolic 0,01 EUR authorisation on your card at pick-up, and it accepts debit cards. Automania also offers rentals with no deposit at Palermo, Catania, Trapani, Naples, Bari and Pisa.

Should I rent a car in Italy with full insurance?

Usually yes. Basic cover is included, but you still pay the excess if the car is damaged or stolen. Full coverage bought online with your booking is the cheapest way to cover it: it works by refund, and the deposit is still blocked. The rental company’s own insurance at the desk removes the excess directly but costs the most.

What car rental companies in Italy let you use a debit card?

Locauto (no deposit, only a 0,01 EUR card authorisation), Budget / Avis and Maggiore (from about 200 EUR), Alamo (about 500 EUR), Sixt, Centauro, Keddy by Europcar, Dollar and Hertz accept debit cards at many Italian airports. Sicily by Car, Goldcar and Automania’s standard offers want a credit card. The card must be in the main driver’s name.

How much is a rental car deposit with a debit card in Italy?

It depends on the company and the airport: Locauto takes no deposit, only a symbolic 0,01 EUR card authorisation. Budget / Avis and Maggiore block from about 200 EUR, Alamo around 500 EUR, Sixt from about 300 EUR, while Dollar, Hertz, Keddy and Centauro block about 700 to 1500 EUR on a debit card. On a debit card the deposit is real money held on your account until the car is returned.

Can I pay a car hire deposit in cash in Italy?

Generally no: when you book, you pay by card. However, some offers need no card at all at pick-up. Message Autorentwiz and we will send you offers that require no card.

Do Dollar and Hertz accept debit cards?

Yes. Both accept debit cards with a deposit of about 700 EUR, for example at Palermo, Bergamo, Pisa and Rome Ciampino.

Does Goldcar accept debit cards?

No. In our Italy data Goldcar requires a credit card.

Does Automania accept debit cards?

Its standard offers require a credit card and a deposit of around 700 EUR. Its no-deposit offers at Palermo, Catania, Trapani, Naples, Bari and Pisa need no card at all.

Can I rent a car in Italy with a prepaid card?

Almost never. In November 2026 we checked every rental company at Bergamo Airport: 89% of those that publish their payment terms explicitly exclude prepaid cards, and none lists them as accepted. This applies to every type of prepaid card. The only option is an offer that needs no card at pick-up, and such offers are rare: at Bergamo they were under 1% of all offers. Message us and we will check what is available for your dates.

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Simas Krasaitis
Simas Krasaitis

Simas Krasaitis is the founder of Autorentwiz. Autorentwiz is a discount car rental booking site: you book the same rental companies for less than booking direct, and car rental experts who once worked behind the rental desk help you choose for free. Before founding Autorentwiz, Simas was head of car rental at ADCRent, a car rental company at Vilnius Airport whose team won customer awards from international booking platforms such as Rentalcars, Discovercars and CarTrawler. He has been a keen traveller for more than 20 years and today writes our car rental guides for Italy: deposits, card rules, insurance, ferry rules and the conditions rental desks do not mention.

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  1. Sveiki, norejau paklausti ar butu koks automobilio nuomos variantas mazdaug rugpjucio 15d is Treviso oro uosto ir ta pacia diena arba kita Drop off Cortina d’Ampezzo? Po savaites vel reiktu masinos is Cortina i Treviso

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