# How does a rental car deposit on your credit card work, and when do you get it back?

> Most rental companies block a deposit on your credit card as a guarantee, often equal to the excess. The money is not charged but reserved, so it reduces your available limit until it is released. ECC Malta says release usually happens within about 48 hours of a damage-free return. If the hold stays or is turned into a charge without explanation, ask the company in writing and contact your card issuer.

Updated: 2026-10-22 · Source: https://scratchfair.com/en/knowledge/credit-card/rental-car-deposit-hold-explained

At the desk you hand over your credit card, and a large amount disappears from your available limit. ==A deposit is not a payment: the money is reserved, not taken, and should be released after a damage-free return.== This article explains how it works, how much is normal and what to do when the money does not come back.

## Deposit, hold, pre-authorisation: one idea

The words differ, the mechanism is the same. The company asks your card issuer to reserve an amount as a guarantee for damage, fuel, fines or other costs. The amount stays on your card but you cannot spend it. When the rental is closed, the company releases it, or charges part of it if there are costs.

## How much is common?

| Factor | Effect on the deposit |
|---|---|
| Your excess | ECC France notes the deposit is usually equal to the excess |
| Car category | Larger and premium cars usually need more |
| Cover bought at the desk | Company zero-excess cover usually means a much smaller hold |
| Cover bought elsewhere | Booking-site or standalone cover does not reduce it |

ECC Malta wrote in its 2025 guide that pre-authorised deposits typically range from 1,000 to 2,500 euros depending on the vehicle. It also stressed that insurance bought through a platform does not remove the need for a pre-authorised deposit. Its leaflet adds that it is essential to make sure your credit card limit covers the deposit, because the company can refuse to rent to you if it cannot be blocked.

## The card has to fit the rules

The Austrian ECC listed three common conditions in June 2026:

- the main driver often has to be the holder of the credit card used;
- many companies require the card to remain valid for at least six months after the rental ends, to cover later costs;
- debit and prepaid cards are often refused.

Our blog post on [credit card or debit card for car rental](https://scratchfair.com/en/blog/credit-card-or-debit-card-car-rental) explains why the type of card matters for a later dispute.

## Watch for a "deposit" that is really a purchase

The German ECC warns that staff sometimes describe a payment as a deposit when it is actually an insurance product. A deposit is released; a purchase is not. Read every line before you sign. Our article on [extra insurance at the desk](https://scratchfair.com/en/knowledge/pick-up/extra-insurance-at-rental-desk) shows what to look for.

## When should it be released?

ECC Malta says the funds stay unavailable until the company releases them, usually within 48 hours of the car's return if there was no damage. After that, your card issuer may need a few more days to show the full limit again. Its leaflet advises asking the company to release the deposit once no damage is found at return.

> [!TIP]
> Photograph the card terminal receipt at pick-up. It shows whether the amount was a pre-authorisation or a sale, and the exact figure.

## If the deposit is not released

1. **Check your statement.** Is it still a pending hold, or has it become a charge?
2. **Ask the company in writing** to release the hold, with your booking number and return date. Mention the return form if it says no damage.
3. **Ask your card issuer** how long a pre-authorisation can stay on the card and whether it can be released from their side.
4. **If it was turned into a charge without explanation**, treat it as a disputed charge: ask for the reason and the evidence, and object.

The Czech ECC described a case where an 891 euro amount, which was meant to be refunded at return, was not returned. The Spanish partner centre later got it recognised as unjustified and the money was fully reimbursed.

## If part of the deposit is kept for damage

Konsumentverket says a company should not deduct from your deposit for damage without giving you a chance to dispute the claim. If money is kept, ask for the evidence and object in writing. Read [what to do when a rental company charges your credit card](https://scratchfair.com/en/knowledge/credit-card/damage-charged-to-credit-card) and [what a damage claim should contain](https://scratchfair.com/en/knowledge/damage-claim/what-a-damage-claim-should-contain).

> [!WARNING]
> Card issuer deadlines for disputes usually run from the transaction date. If a hold becomes a charge, check the deadline straight away with the [deadline calculator](https://scratchfair.com/en/tools/deadlines).

## Deposit checklist from booking to release

| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| At booking | Find the deposit amount and the accepted cards in the terms |
| Before travel | Check your credit limit and your card's expiry date |
| At the desk | Ask how much is blocked, and photograph the terminal receipt |
| At return | Ask for a return form without new damage and for release of the deposit |
| A few days later | Check that the hold has gone from your card |
| If it stays | Ask the company in writing and contact your card issuer |

A hold that stays on your card for weeks is not only annoying. If it is converted into a charge, the dispute deadlines of your card issuer start to run. Keep an eye on your statement after every rental, as ECC Finland also advises for later charges.

## Planning tip

Before you travel, check your card limit against the deposit in your terms, and leave room for hotel holds and daily spending. Use the [excess calculator](https://scratchfair.com/en/tools/excess-calculator) to compare a lower deposit with desk cover against a higher deposit with your own cover.

## FAQ

**Is a deposit the same as a payment?**

No. A deposit, or pre-authorisation, reserves money on your card without charging it. It reduces your available limit. A payment actually takes the money. Check your contract and statement to see which one happened.

**Why does the company want such a large deposit?**

It usually matches the excess, the amount you would pay if the car is damaged. If you buy the company's own zero-excess cover, the deposit is often much lower.

**Can I use a debit card for the deposit?**

Many companies refuse debit and prepaid cards. The Austrian ECC noted this in 2026. Check the terms before you book, or you may be refused the car at the desk.

## Sources

- [ECC Malta: Newsletter issue 3, 2025 (PDF)](https://eccnetmalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ECC-Malta-newsletter-issue-3-2025.pdf)
- [ECC Malta: Car rental leaflet (PDF)](https://eccnetmalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Car-Rental-leaflet-EN-version.pdf)
- [ECC France: Car rental in Europe (PDF)](https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/fileadmin/Media/PDF/publications/brochures/Car_rental_in_Europe.pdf)
- [ECC Czech Republic: Holiday with a rental car, get ready before you turn the key](https://evropskyspotrebitel.gov.cz/articles/holiday-with-a-rental-car-get-ready-before-you-turn-the-key/)
- [EVZ Austria: Rental car tips, press release 30 June 2026 (PDF, German)](https://vki.at/system/files/2026-06/2026-06-30_PA_EVZ_Mietwagen.pdf)
- [Konsumentverket: Problems with your rental car](https://www.konsumentverket.se/en/articles/problems-with-your-rental-car/)
- [ECC Germany: Rental cars on holiday, press release (German)](https://www.evz.de/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/mietwagen-urlaub/)
- [ECC Finland: Subsequent charges in car rental](https://www.ecc.fi/en/themes/travelling/car-rental/subsequent-charges)