Thousands of Swedes annually choose to experience Spain with a rental car. It is easy to understand why. Cruising quietly along, for example, Andalusia's winding dirt roads through white villages, cultural cities, diverse nature with avocado plantations, banana trees and olive groves, rocky mountains and gentle hills, with the sea as a constant companion, is an experience in itself. However, don't limit yourself to just seeing the coast, there are an incredible amount of beautiful environments to see and culture to soak up in the Andalusian interior as well.

Admittedly, public transport is well developed these days in Spain as well, but of course there are many advantages to renting a car. Many may not have time to experience the breathtaking views, and need to save time. Not so long ago, it took a long time to get along, for example, the Costa del Sol. This is no longer the case thanks to the new motorway. It is also very modern and safe!

In the last 5-7 years, rental car prices in Spanish cities like Barcelona, ​​Palma and Las Palmas have dropped by 55% (probably even more after the Corona crisis). It is simply very cheap to rent a car in Spain. After the pandemic and during the inflation crisis, however, prices rose sharply, but they have started to fall back to normal.

There are, of course, lots of companies that rent out cars, but the three car rental companies we mainly recommend in terms of price and reliability are:

• cheap Rentalcars.com
• as well as well-known Holiday Autos

The above companies offer both cheap rental cars and slightly more luxurious options around Spain. There are also good options for rental cars in our article on cheap flights to Spain (several of the companies listed offer package prices with flights and rental cars and hotels, etc.).

Why did rental car prices rise after the pandemic?

During and after the worst phase of the Covid pandemic, more and more people have written to us and wondered "why has it become so expensive to rent a car in Spain?". The answer is that many companies went bankrupt during the pandemic, which means less competition, which in turn puts pressure on prices. In addition, many other car rental companies have sold off some cars to raise cash. That prices rise after a crisis is not a new phenomenon. It usually gradually goes back to the old prices after x number of months. However, how long it will take after the Covid pandemic before prices are completely back to normal is difficult to answer.

General tips on renting a car in Spain and information about laws

•  Avoid renting a car if you are going to visit a larger Spanish city, such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, etc. It is almost impossible to get parking. Also expect long traffic queues.
• It is forbidden to use the mobile phone while driving, and it is also not allowed to listen to music in headphones while behind the wheel.
• The speed limits are generally 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h in rural areas and 120 km/h on the motorway. On roads with two or more lanes, the speed limit is often 100 km/h.
• The maximum permissible alcohol content is 0.05%.
• Children under 12 years of age and shorter than 135 centimeters must sit in a child seat.
• The dipped beam must be used in poor visibility conditions regardless of the time of day.
• Cyclists always have priority in traffic.
• If you stop on the side of the highway and get out of the car, you must wear a fluorescent jacket. La Guardia Civil loves to sit there motorists who do not follow this rule. It costs 20% less in fines if you pay directly, which can be good to know (in addition, the authorities announced in the summer of 2013 that they will be much more aggressive in following up the payment of fines, also for foreign motorists).
• All single-lane city streets now have a speed limit of 20 km/h.
• Using a so-called radar warning can now result in as much as €500 in fines.
• Translation of different types of gasoline in Spanish: Lead = super or super 98, Lead-free = Sin plomo or Eurosuper 95, Diesel= gasoleo.
• Do you have a disabled card for the car park? It is also valid in Spain.
• Rush hour traffic in Spain is a little different because of the siesta. So, at four times of the day the traffic is at its worst. 8 to 9:30 in the morning, 12:30 to 14:30, 15:30 to 17 and 18:30 to 20:30. The quiet period usually falls between 15 and 17. Also keep in mind that the coastal roads during holiday periods (especially in August) can get very busy at times.
• If you have your arm, or just your hand for that matter, outside the window, you risk a €100 fine
• If you drive barefoot or with flip-flops, the fine can be €200.
• Be very careful when parking your car at a beach. If the area is classified as protected, you can be fined up to €6,000.
• In many small Swedish towns, the locals, including the police, are tearing their hair out in despair as there are no direct countermeasures against people driving around at night and playing loud music. In Spain, however, the police have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to €100 if you play loud music in the car early in the morning, or drive past a quiet area such as a hospital.
• If you have the car stereo on while refueling the car, you can be fined up to €91.

The latest changes in the law in Spanish traffic that may be good to know

As of January 2024, all existing e-scooters and other passenger transport vehicles (PMV) in Spain must be approved in accordance with the latest regulations published by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) in order to legally drive on the roads.

All PMVs marketed from 22 January 2024 must be certified makes and models and will be listed on the traffic authority's website.

125 new road signs were introduced starting in 2023.

From 22, you should pay attention to the following new traffic standards: Electric bicycles, scooters and similar vehicles may no longer drive around on pavements. Scooter drivers must also wear a helmet.

The speed limit on the Spanish country roads was lowered from 2019 to a maximum of 90 kilometers per hour. From 2020, the penalty for talking on the mobile phone while driving will be further tightened.

Some new rules were added a few years ago, with the aim of fully harmonizing with EU laws. However, these are mostly aimed at professional drivers. However, it is worth knowing that individuals suffering from sleep apnea will not automatically have their driving license revoked, provided they have a medical certificate. Another major change in the regulations concerns accidents with a fatal outcome. Costs for medical examination and autopsy are covered from 2016 by the Spanish state.

• All cyclists under 16 must wear a helmet. If not, the guardian may be fined 200 Euro.
• When a car overtakes a cyclist, the latter must have a gap of at least 1.5 meters between their car and the cyclist. If this is not possible, the motorist must wait for the road to widen.
• Foreign residents must now register their cars in Spain.
• The police and Guardia Civil are given the right to issue fines remotely, meaning they do not have to chase down a vehicle breaking the law to issue a fine.
• It is no longer permitted to drive vehicles with a driving ban out of the country.

The three best road trip destinations in Spain

According to Auto Europe, the top three destinations for a driving holiday in Spain are:

1. Merida , which is the capital of the region of Extremadura. There is a lot of history and culture here, and the beautiful scenery is perfect for a drive!
2. San Sebastian , which is primarily known for having the most Michelin restaurants per capita in the world. There are also plenty of clean beaches and hiking trails here.
3. Malaga, which is a city on the rise. The road network in Andalusia is also very modern and it is easy to get around. Don't miss the coastal gem Nerja while you're still nearby!

• Read also:
• Wikipedia on Spanish highways and signs . Article about our selection of homes in Spain
• About apartments and houses for rent
• Do you have any experience regarding car rental in Spain that you would like to share? Write a comment below.