Car rental at Lisbon (LIS): deposit, damage and fuel charges
Renting a car at Lisbon airport in Portugal? Here is what the rental firm must prove if it charges you after the rental, and where to complain. Facts only; we do not rate firms.
The rules in Portugal
The party claiming payment has to prove the facts (Article 342(1) of the Portuguese Civil Code). Pre-written clauses shifting this onto you may be unfair.
Local complaint route
Livro de Reclamações: available at the desk and online at livroreclamacoes.pt. The firm must reply within 15 working days. AMT handles complaints about rent-a-car firms.
https://www.livroreclamacoes.pt/
Cross-border help
If you live in another EU country (or Iceland or Norway), the European Consumer Centre in your country helps for free and works with the ECC in Portugal. Centro Europeu do Consumidor (CEC Portugal)
At the desk and in the car park
- Read the fuel policy, excess and deposit before you sign; refuse extras you do not want.
- Make sure every existing mark is on the pickup report.
- Film a slow walk-around of the car and photograph the fuel gauge and mileage.
- At return, ask for an inspection with you present and a signed report.
- Check that the deposit hold is released.
Upload your agreement, invoice or card statement and see what the firm must prove, your red flags and which routes apply.
Run the free checkFirm pages
Published facts about rental firms common at Southern European airports: legal entity, official complaint channel, ECRCS membership and public regulator decisions. No ratings.
Checked 2026-11-14. Facts with sources; corrections welcome at [email protected].