Fuel, EV charging and car policies

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.

Simply refuel the vehicle straight away and send us the fuel receipt together with the country of your bank. Once we've received and reviewed the receipt, we'll send you a refund link where you can enter your bank details for the reimbursement.

How the refund works

• Refuel the vehicle fully at a petrol station

• Send the fuel receipt to SIXT via WhatsApp, Live Chat or email – stating the country of your bank and your booking or rental agreement number

• Once we've received and reviewed the receipt, you'll receive a personal refund link by email

• Enter your bank details in the refund link for the reimbursement

• Once your details are received, the amount is refunded to your bank account

What the fuel receipt must include

• Date and time of refuelling

• Fuel quantity in litres or charge in kWh

• Total amount and name/address of the petrol station

Tip: Take a photo of the receipt straight after refuelling and keep the original until the refund is completed.

Processing time

After your bank details have been received via the refund link, the credit usually takes 5–10 working days, depending on your bank.

Next step

Send the fuel receipt and the country of your bank to SIXT – via WhatsApp or Live Chat.

Still need help? Find our contact options below – please have your rental agreement number ready.

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.