How large the excess (franchise) is for rental cars in Germany, how it differs by class, and how it relates to the deposit. Compiled from live rental offers.
VERIFIED: 2026-08-04 · 46 OFFERSThe excess (franchise) for rental cars in Germany ranges from $900 to $5,000 depending on the car class, with a median of $1,500. The excess is the renter's maximum liability for damage under the standard coverage and applies independently of the deposit model: zero-deposit cars carry an excess too. The figure for a specific car is stated in its voucher.
The excess scales with car value much faster than the deposit does. Ranges below cover all checked offers in Germany:
| Car class | Zero-deposit offers | Deposit range (where applies) | Excess range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Citroen C3, Fiat 500, Opel Corsa) | 0 of 14 (0%) | $350 - $900 | $900 - $1,500 |
| Comfort sedan (BMW 118i, BMW 120i, BMW 218i) | 0 of 15 (0%) | $350 - $900 | $900 - $3,000 |
| SUV and crossover (Opel Crossland, Opel Mokka, Peugeot 3008) | 0 of 15 (0%) | $350 - $900 | $900 - $1,500 |
| Premium and sports (BMW 220i, BMW 520i) | 0 of 2 (0%) | $900 - $1,400 | $2,000 - $5,000 |
Source: 46 live offers aggregated on 2026-08-04. Amounts in USD.
The deposit answers "how much is held at pickup"; the excess answers "what is the worst case if the car is damaged". In Germany, 0% of offers carry no deposit, but nearly all carry an excess - the two settings are independent, and confusing them is the most common mistake renters make when comparing offers. Both figures for a specific car appear in the voucher before payment.
No. The deposit is money held or paid at pickup and returned after the rental; the excess is the cap on your liability if the car is damaged. A car can have zero deposit and still carry an excess.
No. Zero-deposit offers in Germany still carry an excess, typically in the same $900-$5,000 range as deposit offers of the same class.
The rental company assesses the damage on return and charges the repair cost up to the excess amount, following the procedure in the rental contract. Damage caused outside the contract terms can be treated differently; the voucher and contract are the binding documents.
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