Auto Rentals

How many car rental agencies have you checked? Age restrictions are usually a company policy, not a country policy. Same with price and security deposits. I have been successful renting with AutoEurope in many European countries (but not Portugal, as I have not been there). But it would certain be a good idea to check with different agencies.

I know that AutoEurope does not have restrictions over 65 (I think it starts at age 69),

We also are going to Portugal this year and planning to rent a car. Your post made me check.

Autoeurope has same price until 69.

I am not sure what you are looking at but the prices in Portugal are much cheaper than what we paid in Sicily last year.

I have checked. Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Sixt, agencies like Economy bookings, Rental cars AutoEurope, Kayak, Hotwire, TAP Airlines, etc.... The issue is the security deposit is between $1700 and $3,000. I have even tried to purchase full insurance but cannot due that until you pick up the car. I have rented in Italy at least 12 times the last time in June 2023 and did not experience this. I just thought it is a little strange.

I went all the way to putting credit card in on auto Europe and did not see a dollar amount for deposit. I did see a vague statement about needing to put a deposit but nothing about how much. Where did you see a dollar amount?

AutoEurope usually does take your money up front (or a deposit) but it's still fully cancellable. I've never had a problem getting it back.

And I assure you that AutoEurope's age policy is that they do not charge a higher fee unless you are 70 or older. Here is their policy in writing: https://www.autoeurope.com/travel-tips/rental-car-age-requirements/

They do say that some rental agencies have other policies, but in Portugal, the only senior age limit is over 80 in a few instances.

Just went on and here is what I found.

Credit Card Block: EUR 2,650.00, VAT included will be blocked on the client's credit card at time of pick up. This is with the second best insurance coverage and the rental would be $572 for the 14 days with my age $650 and the extra driver $725

Credit Card Block: EUR 150.00, VAT included will be blocked on the client's credit card at time of pick up. This is for the best insurance and the rental cost would be $900. with my age the rental goes to $1100 and an extra driver $1265

The question then becomes do you risk it. You can take an insurance policy that will cover the the security. When an industry does something like this you have to be concerned that they will attempt to use it and take the security deposit. I have never encountered anything like this in the US or in Italy (14 trips), Jamaica, Belize, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Germany, or England. I will take pictures of every inch of the car before leaving the lot with dates.

I am 76 years old just so you know.

It is hard to help you without you providing ALL details (age, date and location of pickup, date and location of pickup of dropoff, desired size of car).

Here is example from Zestcarrental.com
Age 76 driver
Feb 22 - 29, 2024 7 days
Pickup/dropoff Lisbon Airport
Rentauto
Fiat Panda 4dr manual
€64 (for the week) + €20 airport fee + €1.85/day toll transponder rental
Full Collision Damage Waiver with no excess
Free cancellation
No security deposit
Unlimited mileage
No charge for extra drivers
Breakdown assistance
Driver age 21+

If €64 for the week is too much for you, you can choose a VW Polo for a week for about €39 from Drive on Holidays. Age is 24 to 90, but you will have to authorize a deposit of €350 and €70 deposit for the toll transponder, but no airport fee.

When we went to Spain and Portugal last autumn we rented through Enterprise. Because the rental price for 22 days was so expensive renting from Lisbon, we modified our itinerary and rented through Madrid. It was significantly less. By renting from Madrid we were also able to rent through Costco where a 2nd driver is free.

We’ve never had a security deposit more than 200€. We’re over 65 but not in our 70s.