Can I take pets in my SIXT hire car?

SIXT's standard fuel rule is full-to-full: you collect the vehicle with a full tank (or a full battery for EVs) and return it fully refuelled or fully charged. If returned with a lower level, SIXT refuels or recharges the vehicle and charges for the fuel or electricity plus a service fee. The prepaid fuel and charging service is an optional alternative that saves you time and hassle at return.

How it works

• Collect the vehicle with a full tank or fully charged battery

• Drive as normal

• Refuel or fully recharge at any petrol station or charging point before return

• Keep the receipt – useful if any questions arise

When returned below full

SIXT will refuel or recharge the vehicle and charge for the fuel or electricity plus a service fee on your final invoice. Prices per litre or kWh are displayed at the branch and stated in your rental agreement.

Prepaid fuel and charging

Pay for a full tank or a full charge in advance at our fixed SIXT price and simply return the vehicle at any level.

Your benefits at a glance:

• Save time: No last-minute stop at a petrol station or charging point before return

• Stress-free: You can return the car with any fuel or charge level

• Transparent fixed price: Price per tank or charge is known in advance – no surprises

• No receipt needed: No fuel level checks or receipt obligations at return

Tip: The prepaid option is especially worthwhile for longer rentals or when you expect to return the vehicle nearly empty.

Next step

Add the prepaid fuel or charging service to your booking on the website or in the SIXT app.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

In rare cases, the tank might not be completely full at pick-up. If that happens, we'll note the actual fuel level in eighths on your rental agreement — and all you need to do is return the vehicle at that same level.

How it works

1. We note the fuel level in eighths on your rental agreement — for example, 7/8. You'll find your rental agreement in your email or in the SIXT App.

2. Return the vehicle with that same fuel level noted on your agreement.

Tip: Snap a photo of the fuel gauge at pick-up. That way, you'll have proof on hand if there's ever any question about it.

Level doesn't match? Here's how to sort it out

If your rental agreement shows 8/8 but the tank isn't actually full at pick-up, you've got two easy options:

• At the branch: Just let our team know on-site during opening hours — they'll adjust the fuel level for you right away.

• Through our Support Team: Let us know the correct level via live chat, and we'll update it so you can return the vehicle at the level it was actually at when you picked it up.

Already returned the vehicle and been charged?

Contact our Support Team with your rental agreement number, and we'll take care of it.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

You may only use the fuel indicated on the sticker on the fuel cap or fuel filler door of your SIXT hire car. This makes sure you always use the right fuel – no matter which country you're driving in.

How to identify the right fuel

The sticker on the fuel cap or filler door shows the fuel type of your hire car.

Across the EU, standardised fuel symbols are displayed at every petrol pump:

• Circle = Petrol (E5, E10, E85)

• Square = Diesel (B7, B10, XTL)

• Diamond = Gaseous fuels (LPG, CNG, H2)

If the symbol on the pump matches the one on your fuel cap, it's the correct fuel.

Common fuel types by country

Note for the USA: Octane is measured by AKI, not the RON rating used in Europe. US Regular (87) is roughly equivalent to EU 91, and US Premium (91–93) is roughly equivalent to EU 95–98.

Good to know

• Electric vehicles: Find charging points via your car's navigation system or apps

• Not sure? Better to message SIXT Roadside Assistance or use Live Chat than to refuel on a guess

• Wrong fuel? Don't start the engine – call SIXT Roadside Assistance straight away

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

Yes – pets are allowed in SIXT rental vehicles, provided they are properly secured (crate or harness), kept under control at all times, and the vehicle is returned in a clean condition. In case of heavy soiling, a cleaning fee for a full interior cleaning may apply.

Securing pets

Pets must be secured in the vehicle – e.g. in a transport crate, with a harness, or by using a boot divider – to prevent distraction of the driver or injury to the animal.

Protecting the interior

• Just use a protective blanket or seat cover

• Always remove all pet hair and coarse dirt before returning the vehicle

• Resulting cleaning fees may apply in case of heavy soiling

• Always ensure the vehicle is returned clean to avoid additional charges

Travelling abroad

Bringing pets across borders is subject to country-specific regulations (e.g. pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination). Please check the relevant requirements before travelling.

Next step

Book a pet-friendly vehicle via the website or the SIXT app.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

A strict no-smoking policy applies in all SIXT hire cars – so our vehicles stay fresh and clean for every customer. If a car is returned with the smell of smoke, a special cleaning fee is charged, as the vehicle has to be taken out of the fleet for longer.

What counts as "smoked in"

The no-smoking policy covers anything that produces smoke or vapour inside the vehicle:

• Cigarettes, cigars, pipes

• E-cigarettes, vapes and similar vaporisers

• Heated and cold tobacco devices (e.g. IQOS, Glo)

Why we have a no-smoking policy

Smoke and vapour residues stick to the interior and are clearly noticeable to following customers. The special cleaning takes considerably longer, during which the vehicle is unavailable for other rentals.

What's allowed

Smoking outside the vehicle is, of course, fine. Please make sure that ash, cigarette ends and vape residue do not get into the interior or ashtray.

Did the car already smell of smoke at pick-up?

Please report this directly to the SIXT staff member at the branch before you drive off. We'll then offer you another vehicle.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.

You can charge SIXT electric hire cars at any public charging station. You can find and pay for charging via common charging apps or directly at the charging point – the electricity costs during your rental are paid by you.

Find a charging point and charge

1. Find a charging point – via your car's navigation system or a charging app

2. Charge and pay – depending on the provider, directly at the charging point, via app or with the charging card of the respective network

3. Keep your receipts – as proof of your charging sessions

Electricity costs during your rental

You as the renter cover the cost of charging during the rental period.

Tip: With the prepaid charging option, you pay for a full charge in advance at a fixed SIXT price and return the vehicle at any charge level.

Charge level at return

Please return the vehicle with the charge level agreed at pick-up (usually full / 80%). If the level is lower, a service fee applies – unless you have booked the prepaid charging option.

Help on the road

• Finding charging points: via your car's navigation or a common charging app

• Charging issues: try a different charging point. If the problem persists, contact SIXT Roadside Assistance (hotline shown on the sticker on the windscreen)

• Empty battery on the road: pull over safely, switch on hazard lights and call SIXT Roadside Assistance. Don't push or have the EV towed yourself – this can damage the drivetrain

Tip: Use the route planning function in your vehicle or in a charging app to plan charging stops before you set off.

Still need help? Find our contact options below.