Does anyone have the answer to this, is there a charge for taking a rental car over the border? Im not dropping the car off over the border just visiting Spain from Portugal and returning. Thanks for any advice?

No.

I just checked through Hertz, which I've used extensively in Europe.

There is what is know as a drop fee, and it's not cheap. I made up a week in April, and the rental was about $360 all taxes and services included. The drop fee was $630.

The answer is yes.

Rastaguy - please read the OP's post. He's not picking it up in Portugal and dropping it off in Spain. He's merely crossing the border for a visit and then going back to Portugal.

The answer is <b> no <b>.

I forgot to mention that current pricing for petrol and diesel is between $5.20 / gallon to $6.40 per gallon. You had really better enjoy driving.

Diesel fuel is cheaper than petrol. Diesel cars get great mileage. I've gotten over 50mpg on pure highway driving.

Personally, I would pass on renting a car.

StCirq

Sorry for the miss. One would have to check with their rental car company. In both Switzerland and France, the rental companies had very large disclaimers stating that any car taken into Italy voids insurance of any type.

I'm aware of that, rastaguy (I've probably rented 150 cars in Europe), also the caveats about Ireland and some Eastern European countries. The OP may want to inquire with the rental company, but unless there are new laws, my answer remains the same.

BTW, if headed into Spain, be advised that if you wear prescription glasses/contacts, you are required to have a spare pair with you. Also make sure your Portuguese car rental has an emergency breakdown kit, including flares.

I have rented many times in Spain. You do not pay a cent for bringing a car into Portugal. In fact under the EU, they do not even know you are doing it.

You will also need an International Driver's license. It is not required at the rental office, but if you are stopped by the Spanish authorities they can get testy if you do not have one.

And if you have never rented in Europe, driving a stick saves hundreds of dollars.

Adu, he's renting in Portugal, driving over to Spain for a visit, then returning to Portugal. And unless the law has recently changed (which is entirely possible - if so, mea culpa), he doesn't need an IDP for either Spain or Portugal. It's required in Italy and Austria. It's not a bad idea to have one, I suppose, but I don't believe it's required.

There should not be any charge of taking the car over - as long as you bring it back. But - you do need to check with the specific rental agency - and tell them where you are going - to make sure the insurance covers Spain as well.

Say nytraveler says, plus breakdown recovery too. It is usually smaller companies that charge for extra insurance etc. That is to get the headline rate down. Never take a car out of the country of origin without checking, you may need extra paperwork.
Do not forget to look up about how to pay the electronic tolls when using some highways in Portugal.

Thank you for your responses and the tips; it challenges my naivety - I usually just get in and drive. Not sure what driving a stick means .... manual v automatic?

yep.... Stick (shift) manual

StCirq

An IDP is not required for rental but the Spanish police can get nasty if you are stopped and do not have one. It is an unwritten law but one that anyone would rather not deal with.
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A few more things.

Sometimes when in renting in Europe, you will make arrangements with Company A but you will wind up going to the office of Company B. Company A is simply an agent with an arrangement with Company B. I think that last time I made arrangements with AutoEurope but the car rental was Avis. This was in Santiago.

Additionally check with your credit card company to see if you need the CDW. Not all cards provide it, but if they do it will probably cover Spain and Portgal.

Finally, call your insurance broker to see if your liability insurance will cover rentals in Spain and Portugal.

Those last two calls could save you hundreds of dolalrs.

<i>Finally, call your insurance broker to see if your liability insurance will cover rentals in Spain and Portugal.</i>

I believe that all rentals agreements in Europe include liability insurance. Only the CDW can be optional. It was when I rented a car in Portugal.

I am sorry to correct this but IDP are required in Spain. The rental agency staff may not check it but the Guardia Civil (Police) do. Fines are high for non compliance. and for about 10 dollars the piece of mind is worth it.
All hire cars in Europe come with very basic insurance. However even the most minor of scratches are taken out from your security payment. So Insure yourself to the max so that you are covered for every event. You can even get cover for tyres and windows.

One more thing, call your credit card companies and give them the dates you will in Europe, so you will not have problems charging things.
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One time we were visiting family who live about twelve miles from Santiago and we used our rental car to see the coast. While we there they bought 60 pounds of pulpo. They obviously really love pulpo. When we went to retrieve it from the trunk all the plastic bags had broken and the trunk was filled pulpo and it reeked. When we returned the car, we almost ran before they opened the back.

Another time I was in a very cramped underground garage in Santiago and put a dent in the driver's door. Because it was in the same sopt as a previous dent, they did not detect it and we were not charged.

Just a couple of more comments on renting a car in PT, and then, driving into Spain. When you rent, look for an option with no excess. The rental agencies in PT can be very picky about little scrapes, scratches etc. Rent a manual and make sure it is diesel, even if it is more expensive. You will save the difference on your first fuel purchase.
Signed,
an avid car renter in PT.

Not sure if this post is still relevant, but here in the south of Portugal are some rental car companies that...let you drive across the border to Spain with no extra charge (drop off in Portugal again) full insurance cover, all miles/km included, all papers included and and and. And they are budget.
Let me know if you need more info.

if you discover that your c/card doesn't cover the CWD, you can insure it for very little, much less than the hire co will charge you on the day.