Centauro Rent a Car
Spain
EU
Centauro Rent a Car is a Spanish car rental company based in Alicante. It was founded in 1973 by Francisco Devesa, who started in Benidorm with six yellow Seat 600 cars. Since...
European Car Rental Companies
Europcar
France
EU
Europcar was founded in Paris in 1949 by Raoul-Louis Mattei and is one of the largest car rental groups in Europe. Europcar Mobility Group also owns the low-cost brand Goldcar, InterRent and...
Goldcar
Spain
EU
Goldcar is a Spanish low-cost car rental company. Its legal entity, Goldcar Spain S.L.U., has its registered address in San Juan de Alicante. According to the company, the business goes back to...
OK Mobility
Spain
EU
OK Mobility is a car rental group headquartered in Palma de Mallorca. The founder and CEO Othman Ktiri started the group in 2004, and the first rental offices opened on Mallorca. Today...
Sixt
Germany
EU
Sixt is a German car rental company headquartered in Pullach near Munich. It started in 1912 as "Martin Sixt Autofahrten" with three vehicles and is still shaped by the Sixt family: the...
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Submit SuggestionEuropean car rental companies have their headquarters in Germany, France and Spain and cover most holiday and business rentals on the continent. The five companies below are the best-known European alternatives to the US brands Hertz, Avis and Enterprise, which are not listed here because their headquarters are in the United States. Anyone searching for a car rental company in Europe will find both premium providers and low-cost brands.
European car rental companies compared
| Company | Country | Headquarters | Ownership | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sixt | Germany | Pullach near Munich | Listed, Sixt family largest shareholder | Premium |
| Europcar | France | Paris | Green Mobility Holding (Volkswagen is the main shareholder) | Mid-range, many countries |
| Goldcar | Spain | San Juan de Alicante | Europcar Mobility Group since 2017 | Low-cost |
| Centauro Rent a Car | Spain | Alicante | Mutua Madrileña (majority since 2019) | Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece |
| OK Mobility | Spain | Palma de Mallorca | Private, founder Othman Ktiri | Rental, subscription, 70+ destinations |
Premium, mid-range or low-cost
Sixt positions itself in the premium segment and has its own subsidiaries in many European countries and the US. Europcar covers the mid-range and works with franchise partners in more than 130 countries. Goldcar is the low-cost brand of the Europcar group, so a low advertised price does not mean an independent company. Centauro and OK Mobility are Spanish companies with a strong base in holiday destinations such as the Balearic Islands and the Spanish coast.
What to check before booking
- Fuel policy: full-to-full is usually the cheapest rule, prepaid tanks cost more.
- Deposit and insurance: low-cost brands often earn money with insurance add-ons at the counter.
- Cross-border travel and one-way fees, especially outside the countries where the company has its own stations.
- Station location: airport desks, shuttle stations and city branches differ in waiting time and price.
Frequently asked questions
Which car rental companies are European?
Sixt (Germany), Europcar (France), Goldcar, Centauro and OK Mobility (all Spain) have their headquarters in Europe. Hertz, Avis Budget and Enterprise are American.
Are Goldcar and Europcar the same company?
Goldcar belongs to Europcar Mobility Group, which bought the Spanish brand in 2017. InterRent is another brand of the group.
Who owns Europcar?
Europcar is owned by Green Mobility Holding, a consortium led by Volkswagen. In April 2026 Volkswagen announced that it will take over the stake held by Attestor.
Where can rental cars be compared?
Comparison and booking sites are listed under travel booking portals. Flights are covered in airlines.