Renting a car in Europe 101
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Europe with your US license
Looking for an international travel documents checklist, so you can get everything lined up before your next trip? You’re in the right place. Read on for all you need to know.
Before you go, why not pick up an international debit card from Wise as a good way to manage your spending across 40+ currencies, with low fees from 0.43% and the mid-market rate¹.
We’ll walk through a full document checklist for international travel here - starting with some of the most important items: your ID paperwork.
Make sure you have a valid passport before you book your flights. Some countries enforce strict rules about the validity of your passport, which means you’ll need to have at least 6 months left before your passport runs out².
It’s also worth remembering that passports issued for children are for 5 years only, not 10 as for adults - double check the whole family has the documents required before you book travel.
For some destinations you’ll need a visa - and in some cases you’ll also need a visa for countries you’ll transit through.
Get the full information about visa requirements for your destination on the US State Department’s country pages³, or from the embassy of your destination in the US.
Headed to Europe? Learn all about the Schengen visa in our full guide |
---|
Having adequate insurance is important to give you peace of mind when you travel. Here’s what you’ll need to carry with you.
Keep your travel insurance information handy so you can get it whenever you need it.
In some cases you’ll need to show you have insurance to enter a country - but even where this isn’t required, having easy access to both a hard and soft copy of your details can be reassuring and make life easier if something goes wrong on your trip.
Before you book travel double check if there are any mandatory or advised vaccinations or other medical considerations.
You’ll find everything you need on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website⁴, along with a handy search tool to find your destination country easily.
Don’t forget, some countries still ask for proof of covid vaccination - although this requirement is in place in only a handful of destinations at the time of writing, we’ve seen how quickly things can change when it comes to travel rules, so getting up to date information before you travel is essential.
Get fee free international ATM withdrawals, up to 100 USD/month, with the Wise card. Keep in mind that ATM operators may charge their own fees.
Open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.41%.
Get cash conveniently around the world, with some fee free withdrawals every month, and low fees of 1.5 USD + 2% after that. That can work out cheaper than using your bank card for overseas withdrawals.
Check out these other handy Wise personal account features: |
---|
|
Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information
Depending on where you’re headed, you may need to prove your itinerary as part of getting a visa or when you cross the border to your destination.
It’s not always necessary - but in some countries you’ll be asked to show a hotel booking or similar when you apply for a visa or when you arrive at immigration on the border.
Proof of accommodation and an address can also be required when completing a landing card. Usually an online hotel booking, or letter from whoever you’re staying with will suffice. Get full details for your destination before you leave.
It’s pretty common to be asked to show evidence of onward travel when you’re headed abroad. That’s so the authorities know you don’t intend to overstay your visa.
You may be asked by the airline when checking in (if you’ve not booked a return trip), or by border authorities on arrival, to show proof of a ticket out of the country - again, soft copies are usually OK here, but checking full details for your destination is a good idea to avoid hassle.
Keeping your financial information secure and easy to access when you travel is important, Here are a few things to think about.
For your visa you might need to prove sufficient funds to cover your costs when abroad - this paperwork may be checked again by border officials. Have a copy of your most recent bank statement available, just in case.
The amount of money you’re asked to have available varies widely by country and the length of your stay. Check the details for your destination when you apply for a visa.
Generally the easiest way to keep on top of your card spending while you’re away is to download your bank or card issuer’s app.
You’ll also want to have a copy of all the contact information you might need, somewhere safe - in case a card is blocked, lost or stolen.
In some cases you’ll need to inform your bank or card issuer that you plan to travel - this is to avoid your card being blocked or frozen when overseas transactions show up.
Not all banks need you to inform them about your travel - check if yours needs you to take action, by logging into your online banking and looking through the FAQ section.
Finally, a few other important things to think about when you’re packing your case for vacation.
Make sure you have a handy list of emergency contact information, including the numbers for your personal emergency contacts, your bank and insurer and how to get in touch with the US embassy wherever you’re headed.
The US State Department advises travelers to take 2 copies of their passports before leaving the country.
Carry one copy with you, and give one to a trusted friend at home. That way, if the original is lost, you’ll still be able to access a copy, even if your luggage goes missing.
Being prepared before overseas travel can make your trip go smoother. As well as thinking about the important travel documents in this guide, check out Wise - popping a Wise card in your packing can make it easy and hassle free to spend and withdraw in 40+ currencies as you travel.
Sources:
Sources checked on 08.21.2023
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Europe with your US license
Understand what Worldpackers is, how it works and whether it's a safe platform.
Everything you need to know about international summer camps.
Understand the ins and outs of using SIM cards for international travel. Learn about the need, process, usage, and the best options available in the market.
Dive into the culture, vibrancy, and acceptance of the world's most gay-friendly cities. Discover where the LGBTQ+ community thrives globally.
Explore the vibrancy and acceptance of the top LGBT-friendly cities in Europe. Discover where the European LGBTQ+ community thrives and feel welcomed.