Planning a trip abroad and wondering whether you can cross the border in a rental car? The short answer is: yes — but only if you follow the right steps beforehand. Taking a hire car across the border is entirely possible, and in most cases straightforward. The key is to sort out the paperwork before you pick up the keys. This guide walks you through everything you need to know so your trip is legal, covered and stress-free.
Yes — you can take a rental car abroad, but it requires prior agreement with the rental company and the right documents. Leaving the country in a hire car without permission is a breach of your rental agreement. Depending on the country, it can also result in the vehicle being impounded by local authorities or your insurance being void in the event of an accident.
Most reputable car rental companies — including MobiCars — allow cross-border travel as long as you:
The golden rule: always tell the rental company in advance. The earlier, the better — aim for at least 2–3 days before your departure.
A written cross-border permit is required in virtually all cases — whether you are travelling within the EU or beyond. This document confirms that the rental company authorises the vehicle to leave Poland and that the insurance policy covers the destination country.
A cross-border permit typically includes:
Without this document, border control or local police may treat the vehicle as stolen or taken without the owner's consent.
When crossing the border in a hire car, you need a complete set of documents. Missing even one of them can result in a fine, the vehicle being held, or serious complications at the border.
Your rental agreement is the primary document proving you are the authorised user of the vehicle. Always carry it with you — both in printed form and digitally on your phone.
The cross-border permit should be a separate document issued by the rental company, containing:
At MobiCars, you can request a cross-border permit at the time of booking — simply select the relevant option or contact our team.
Every car from a Polish rental company comes with mandatory third-party liability insurance (OC), which — under EU regulations — automatically covers all EU member states and European Economic Area countries. This means that within the EU (Germany, France, Italy, Croatia, etc.) your liability insurance is valid without any additional steps.
The situation is different for comprehensive insurance (AC/CDW) and coverage outside the EU. Before you travel, make sure to check:
If in doubt — ask the rental company directly: "Does my insurance cover [country]?" It is far better to ask before you leave than to find out about gaps in cover after an incident.
A green card (International Certificate of Insurance) is a document that confirms your third-party liability insurance is valid in countries outside the standard registration plate system. Within the EU it is technically not required, but outside the EU — for example in Ukraine, Serbia or Turkey — it may be requested at border crossings.
The green card is issued by the insurance company. When renting a car, the rental company should be able to provide it on request. Ask for it when you collect the car if you are travelling outside the EU.
The list of permitted countries depends on the rental company's own policy, not on the law. Each company sets its own rules — below is the general breakdown that applies to most Polish rental companies, including MobiCars.
Travelling to EU member states is the most straightforward from a paperwork perspective. Within the EU:
Standard approved EU destinations include: Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and all other EU member states. That said, you should always obtain a written permit — even for EU travel.
Cross-border travel to non-EU countries is possible in some cases, but comes with additional restrictions and — in certain situations — extra costs or a flat refusal:
Country - Typical rules:
If you are planning to travel outside the EU — always check with the rental company individually and do so at least a week before your departure.
Getting the paperwork right is only part of the picture. Here are a few practical things worth sorting out before you leave.
The best time to do this is at the booking stage — that way the rental company can factor the cross-border travel into your agreement and prepare all the relevant documents in advance. If you decide to travel after you have already picked up the car, contact the rental company at least 48–72 hours before you plan to cross the border.
At MobiCars you can:
Some rental companies charge an extra fee for a cross-border permit — it is worth asking about this when you book. On top of any rental company fees, remember to factor in country-specific costs:
A breakdown or accident abroad is stressful — but being prepared makes all the difference.
If you break down:
If you have an accident:
This is something many people overlook when planning a trip with family or friends. As a general rule — only the person named in the rental agreement is authorised to drive the vehicle. Anyone else behind the wheel is an unauthorised driver, which has serious insurance implications: in the event of a claim, the rental company may refuse to cover the costs.
If more than one person will be driving, notify the rental company before you set off and ask for the additional driver to be added to the agreement. This typically requires:
The additional driver must meet the same requirements as the main renter — minimum age, a valid category B driving licence, and typically at least 1–2 years of driving experience. At MobiCars you can add an extra driver at the booking stage or by contacting customer service before you collect the car.
Abroad, police and border officials may ask to see documents — if the person at the wheel is not named in the agreement, you face serious legal and financial consequences.
At MobiCars we keep the process as simple as possible. Here is how it works step by step:
Have questions? Get in touch before you travel — our team can advise on exactly which documents you need for your specific destination.
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