Coming home from the UK for Christmas? How to rent a car in Satu Mare

Author: Sergiu S., Rentio · Updated on 18 October 2026

In short: If you are flying home for the holidays on the Wizz Air London Luton – Satu Mare route, book your car early, check your licence (a UK-issued licence requires an international driving permit, according to the Terms and Conditions), bring a credit card and choose a rental of at least 7 days: the daily rate drops, starting from 28 €/day for rentals of 7 days or more, VAT included.

How do you get home from the UK for Christmas?

The most direct option to Satu Mare is the Wizz Air flight from London Luton, which operates 3 times a week, all year round. You can find the exact schedule on the official website of Satu Mare International Airport.

Once you land, the part you know well begins: trips to your parents, your grandparents, relatives in the villages, holiday shopping, the Christmas service, maybe a drive to Baia Mare or Zalău. A rental car keeps your schedule in your own hands.

If you want to know more about renting a car as soon as you land, read the Satu Mare airport car hire page.

What documents do you need if you have a UK licence?

You need a valid driving licence, an identity document and a credit card, all in original. If your licence was issued in the UK, the Terms and Conditions also require an international driving permit.

Here is the exact wording from the Rentio Terms and Conditions (art. 2.1), translated:

“an international driving permit is mandatory for documents issued in countries using a script other than the Latin alphabet and for those obtained by driving right-hand-drive vehicles, e.g.: UK, India, Australia, Japan”

In short, for you:

• Do you have a valid Romanian licence? Show that one, together with your identity document.
• Do you have a British licence? In addition to it, you need an international driving permit. Find out early how to get one in the UK, so you are not left without it before your flight.
• Your identity document (ID card or passport) is something you carry for the flight anyway.

All documents must be shown in original when you sign the contract. If you are not sure whether your licence qualifies, call before booking, on +40 746 678 872.

Why do you need a credit card?

Because, with the STANDARD deposit, the deposit is blocked on a credit card. Prepaid cards and Diners Club are not accepted for this.

Many people working in the UK use Revolut, N26 or other fintech cards. According to the Terms and Conditions, these can be used to pay for the rental, but not to block the deposit. You can pay by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or in cash.

Before you travel, check that you have a credit card with a high enough limit for the deposit of the car you choose (200–400 €, depending on the model). The deposit is refunded within a maximum of 30 days after you return the car.

How much does a car cost for your whole holiday stay?

From 28 €/day for rentals of 7 days or more. A holiday stay usually lasts more than a week, so you go straight to the reduced rate.

One rental day means 24 hours. Below are a few models suited to a family with luggage (models “or similar”). Rates include VAT.

Example: an Opel Astra for 14 days, from 20 December to 3 January, costs 14 × 28 = 392 €, VAT included. The Romanian road vignette is included in the rate. You will find the full price list in the article How much does it cost to rent a car in Satu Mare.

STANDARD deposit or SMART Insurance?

It depends on whether or not you want money blocked on your card during the holidays. With STANDARD you leave a deposit of 200–400 €; with SMART Insurance you pay extra per day and the deposit is 0 €.

SMART Insurance is a daily fee (+10, +15 or +20 €/day, depending on the car) that reduces the deposit to 0 €. It is not a third-party liability or comprehensive insurance policy (RCA/CASCO), and certain costs remain your responsibility, for example missing fuel, lost keys or documents, rims and tyres (see the Terms and Conditions, chapter 5).

For those living abroad, the SMART option has a concrete advantage: in December you have a lot of expenses, and a deposit blocked on your card reduces your available limit. See the details on the Car rental without deposit page and the full calculation in the article STANDARD deposit or SMART Insurance.

How do you drive safely in winter on the local roads?

Set off well rested, check the weather and road conditions before every trip and allow extra time. After an evening flight, do not rush into a long drive.

• The steering wheel is on the left. If you have only driven in the UK in recent years, take the first kilometres easy: in Romania, traffic drives on the right.
• Keep your distance. On wet, snowy or icy roads, braking takes longer.
• Ask when booking what winter equipment the car has and check it at pick-up.
• Watch out for potholes and kerbs covered by snow. Damage to the rims, tyres or underside of the car (underbody guard, oil sump, exhaust) remains your responsibility, whichever deposit option you choose.
• Do not leave paved roads. Unpaved roads and roads closed to traffic are prohibited by the contract.
• Return the car clean. If the car is returned dirty or in weather that does not allow it to be inspected, your responsibility for any damage is extended by 24 hours (art. 3.7).

If you have a problem on the road, call the 24/7 support line: +40 746 678 872.

When should you book?

As early as possible, ideally as soon as you have bought your plane ticket. Christmas and New Year is a busy period, and if you book early you have more choice of the right model.

Choose your car on the Available cars page, set the dates of your stay and see the final price. A few things worth knowing before you travel:

• Fuel: you return the car with the same level as at pick-up; otherwise you pay 50 € plus the missing fuel.
• The mileage limit is 400 km/day; above it you pay 0.20 €/km.
• If someone else in the family will drive too, an additional driver costs 10 €.
• Child seats cost 2 €/day.
• If you want to stay longer, announce the extension at least 24 hours in advance.

Book online on Available cars or call +40 746 678 872. You can find more about our rentals on the home page Car rental Satu Mare.

See also: automatic car rental in Satu Mare and car rental Baia Mare.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a car in Satu Mare with just my British licence?

No. According to the Rentio Terms and Conditions (art. 2.1), for licences obtained driving right-hand-drive vehicles, for example in the UK, an international driving permit is also mandatory.

Can I leave the deposit on a Revolut card?

No. Fintech cards (Revolut, N26 etc.) can only be used to pay for the rental. To block the deposit you need a credit card.

How much does a car cost for two weeks over the holidays?

It depends on the model. For example, an Opel Astra costs 28 €/day for rentals of 7 days or more, so 392 € for 14 days, VAT included.

Can I take the car out of the country during my stay?

Only with Rentio's written consent and only within the European Union and the European Economic Area. The documents cost 50 €, and the deposit for leaving the country is between 200 and 1,000 €.