Car Rental with No Deposit in Romania: How It Works in 2026
14 January 2026 · 6 min read
A security deposit is the single biggest friction point when renting a car in Romania. Traditional agencies pre-authorise between €300 and €1,500 on a credit card and hold it for up to 30 days after the rental ends. At carentals.ro we do not take a security deposit and we do not block any amount on your card — you pay the rental price and nothing else.
What a security deposit normally is
A deposit (also called a franchise hold or pre-authorisation) is an amount frozen on your credit card as a guarantee against damage, fines or fuel differences. The money is not spent, but it is unavailable to you — which is a real problem when you are travelling on a budget or your card limit is small.
Deposits in Romania are typically €300–€500 for economy cars and €1,000–€1,500 for premium and luxury models. Release times of 14–30 days after the return are normal.
How no-deposit car rental works at carentals.ro
We replaced the deposit with full insurance and a simple, transparent contract. You book online, we confirm by email, and you collect the car in Bucharest with no money frozen on any card.
- Zero security deposit — nothing is blocked, nothing is held after the return.
- No credit card required — a debit card or cash payment is accepted.
- Full insurance (CASCO + RCA) is included in the daily rate.
- Rovinieta (road vignette) is included on every car.
- Free delivery in Bucharest and at Otopeni Airport.
What you need to book
The paperwork stays short because we do not run a card pre-authorisation.
- A driving licence held for at least one year (EU licences accepted as-is).
- A passport or national ID card.
- Minimum age 21 for most of the fleet.
- A phone number we can reach you on during the rental.
Is no deposit really cheaper?
Compare the total, not just the daily rate. A €25/day offer with a €700 deposit, mandatory extra insurance at the counter and an airport surcharge frequently ends up more expensive than our all-in price with delivery and insurance included. Our rates start at €35/day with everything in the price and no counter upsell.
Booking a no-deposit car in Bucharest
Pick a car from the fleet, choose your dates and pickup point (our office on Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 33, Otopeni Airport, or any custom address in Bucharest for a €20 delivery fee), and submit the booking. You receive a confirmation email immediately and a human reconfirmation before pickup. No card details, no deposit, no surprises.
Book with zero deposit
No deposit, no credit card, insurance included
28 cars available in Bucharest from €35/day, delivered free in the city and at Otopeni Airport.