What is the difference between a debit card and credit card deposit?

SIXT places a deposit when you pick up the vehicle to cover potential additional costs — for example, missing fuel at return, a late return, or paid extras. You'll find the exact deposit amount in your rental agreement.

Note: The deposit only secures open items from the hire agreement (e.g., fuel costs, late return, added extras). It does not cover damage claims — your deductible in the event of damage depends on your chosen protection package and is handled separately.

What determines the amount

The deposit equals the hire amount plus a fixed surcharge based on the vehicle group, in the local currency — the higher the vehicle class, the higher the surcharge.

You'll find the exact amount for your booking on the SIXT website and in the SIXT app at the end of the booking process, below the total, as well as in your confirmation email.

Please note: For bookings in the USA, Canada, and Ireland, you'll find the amount only in the confirmation email.

Exception USA: In the USA, different amounts apply: the surcharge is 200, 300, or 400 USD for standard vehicles depending on location, with minimums of 500 USD for Mid-Range / Premium SUV, 1,000 USD for Premium, and 2,500 USD for Sports & Luxury.

Exception for commercial vans: For all van and truck groups, a reduced surcharge of + 200 in the local currency applies in most European countries. In Switzerland, the surcharge is CHF 300.

When it's charged and released

The deposit is a authorisation – a hold, not a payment. It's placed on your card at pick-up and released within one working day after return. Your bank will clear the hold within 3–10 working days depending on your card type.

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With credit and debit cards, the amount is only reserved (authorisation) and released after the hire period – with Maestro and V PAY cards, it is debited directly and the difference is refunded after proper return of the vehicle. The amount is the same in both cases and depends on the vehicle group.

Major Credit / Debit card authorisation (Mastercard, Visa, Amex, etc.)

• The amount is reserved against your card limit, not debited

• At the start of the hire period, the expected total amount including the security is authorised

• After the hire period ends, the amount is adjusted and the difference is released automatically

• Doesn’t affect your day-to-day liquidity, as long as your limit is sufficient

• Release usually takes 5–10 working days, depending on your bank

Deposit with a Maestro or V PAY card

• The amount is debited directly at the start of the hire period and blocks your available account balance

• Visible in your banking app as unavailable until the refund is processed

• After proper return of the vehicle, the difference is refunded

• The refund usually takes 5–10 working days, depending on your bank

What the deposit covers
The deposit covers potential additional costs arising from the hire agreement – for example missing fuel on return, late return or chargeable extras. You’ll see the exact amount on your hire agreement and in the rental information on your local SIXT website.

Next step
Check the deposit on your upcoming booking on the website or in the SIXT app.

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Apple Pay and PayPal are accepted at SIXT for prepaid bookings online and at selected branches. At pick-up, a valid credit or debit card in the main driver's name is also required for the deposit.

Apple Pay

• Accepted for prepaid bookings and digital checkout at selected branches

• The card stored in your wallet must be a credit card – debit or prepaid cards cannot be used via Apple Pay

• At pick-up, a physical credit or debit card is also required for the deposit

PayPal

• Accepted for prepaid bookings at selected branches

• At pick-up, a physical credit or debit card is also required for the deposit

Google Pay

Not currently accepted as a payment method. Please use Apple Pay, PayPal or a credit/debit card instead.

Prepaid and virtual cards

• Prepaid cards, gift cards and virtual cards are not accepted

• Cards from providers such as Revolut, Monzo, N26 and similar are only accepted if they are standard debit cards – not prepaid versions. Please check the card type in your banking app in advance

Note: In France, Visa Electron, Nickel, Maestro and V PAY are also excluded. You can find the exact country-specific rules in the rental information on your local SIXT website.

Next step

Check accepted payment methods on the website or in the SIXT app.

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SIXT in Great Britain accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards at every branch, and Great Britain Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit on most vehicle groups. Prepaid cards, gift cards, virtual single-use cards and cash cannot be used at pick-up.

Accepted at every Great Britain branch

• Visa credit card

• Mastercard credit card

• American Express credit card

• Great Britain Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit (most vehicle groups)

Not accepted at pick-up

• Prepaid cards (Monzo/Revolut prepaid, gift cards, airline vouchers)

• Virtual or single-use cards

• Cash

• Cards not in the main driver’s name

Card must match the main driver

The card used for the deposit must belong to the person collecting the car. Corporate cards are accepted under a SIXT Business account.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Accepted online and at most branches for payment and deposit – always bring the physical card behind the wallet as backup.

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Yes — SIXT accepts debit cards in Great Britain, including American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, and Discover.

What your card needs to meet

• Issued in your name as the main driver

• Issued in your country of residence

• Valid at pick-up and throughout the entire rental period

• Presented in person at the SIXT counter

• All vans can be paid for with a GB debit card

Hiring in Northern Ireland

• Online prepaid bookings: Mastercard or Visa debit accepted

• Paying a deposit with a debit card: Top Cover LDW must be selected

Travelling outside Great Britain

Debit cards are not accepted everywhere. Check the rental information for your destination before you travel.

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