Debit Card Car Hire Malta

Many car hire desks in Malta want a credit card for the security deposit, which is awkward if you only carry a debit card. Debit Card Car Hire Malta was set up around that problem. It rents cars from the Car Rental Centre at Malta International Airport in Luqa and takes Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit cards for the rental and the deposit, with no extra fee for paying that way. The business is listed in our directory of car hire in Malta.

What you can hire and where you collect

The fleet includes smaller cars, estates, SUVs and larger passenger vehicles, in manual and automatic versions, subject to availability. Models shown online are examples unless a vehicle listing guarantees a particular one, so compare transmission, seats and luggage space rather than the badge. Malta drives on the left, as in the UK, and the cars are right-hand drive, so UK drivers will find the layout familiar from the first junction.

Collection is at Park East Car Park, Level 1, Car Rental Centre, at the airport, a short walk from arrivals with no shuttle bus. You can instead choose delivery and return at a hotel or a private address such as a holiday rental. Give your flight details when booking. If your arrival time changes, tell the business so the team is ready for you. If you are planning your arrival, see our guide to flights from the UK to Malta.

Debit cards and deposits explained

A refundable security deposit is taken on every rental, so debit card acceptance does not mean a deposit-free hire. The deposit is a hold placed on your card at pickup, and it typically runs from €250 to €1,000 depending on the vehicle group and insurance option. The funds are released after the car is returned in the same condition, which usually takes 3 to 7 working days depending on your bank. Make sure your account can cover both the rental and the hold, and consider topping up before you fly.

Standard Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit cards from recognised banks are accepted, including Revolut debit cards. Prepaid cards usually cannot be used because they do not support pre-authorisation. The name on the card must match the main driver's name on the agreement exactly.

Documents, ages and extras

Bring a valid driving licence, a passport or national identity card, the debit card in the main driver's name and your booking confirmation. The licence is normally expected to have been held for about a year. Drivers must be between 21 and 90, with a daily surcharge possible for drivers aged 21 to 24 and for those over 70.

Additional drivers can be added for a daily fee if they attend collection with their documents. Child seats, booster seats and GPS are optional extras with a daily charge, chosen during online booking. The usual fuel policy is full to full, and charges apply if the tank is not full on return. Check the rental terms for excess, airport or out-of-hours charges and mileage.

Driving around Malta and Gozo

All vehicles are insured to take the Gozo ferry between the islands, though travel to other foreign territories is not allowed. A car makes it easy to reach beaches and villages that buses serve less often, and our guides to the best beaches in Malta and to the Gozo island guide suggest places to go. Valletta uses a controlled vehicular access charge based on the time spent in the zone, which the business forwards with a small administration fee, so see our Valletta guide before you drive in.

To ask about availability, a particular car or whether your card will work, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business.