Car Rental Fuel Policies in Valencia – Full-to-Full & Prepaid
Fuel policy is an important part of any car rental in Valencia. Depending on the offer you choose, you may need to return the car with a full tank, return the same fuel level you received, or follow a specific prepaid fuel arrangement.
This guide explains how the main fuel policies work, what happens to the fuel deposit, how much you may need to pay when collecting the car and what to do when returning it. You will also find practical advice on refuelling in Spain, identifying the correct fuel type and dealing with AdBlue or electric vehicles.
How Do Car Rental Fuel Policies Work in Valencia?
The fuel policy tells you how much fuel the car should have when you collect it and how much you need to return. It can also determine whether a fuel deposit is charged when you pick up the vehicle.
The most common options you will see when comparing car rental offers in Valencia are Full / Full and Equivalent Fuel. The conditions are different, so it is worth checking the fuel policy before booking rather than assuming that every rental works in the same way.
- Full / Full: you receive the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.
- Equivalent Fuel: you return the car with the same fuel level as when you collected it.
- Fuel deposit: some Full / Full offers include a separate amount held to cover missing fuel if the car is returned with less than a full tank.
- Security deposit: this is a separate amount that may be required under the rental conditions and is not automatically the same as a fuel deposit.
For example, some Valencia Airport offers use Full / Full with a fuel deposit of around €50–€120. Other offers use a security deposit of €200 or more, from which missing fuel may be deducted. The exact amount depends on the rental offer, vehicle and protection package.
This distinction is particularly important if you are looking for car rental without a deposit or zero excess car rental in Valencia. A fuel deposit, security deposit and excess are three different things and should always be checked separately in the rental terms.
Fuel Policies Available with Valencia Car Rental
The fuel policy depends on the rental offer and supplier. When comparing cars in Valencia, you may come across several different combinations of fuel policy, deposit and protection conditions. Understanding the difference before booking helps you know exactly what will be charged or held when you collect the car.
- Full / Full with a fuel deposit: selected offers from Victoria Car Rental include a Full / Full policy together with a separate fuel deposit of approximately €50–€120. The amount depends on the vehicle category and fuel type. If you return the car with a full tank, the fuel deposit is returned.
- Equivalent fuel level: selected Alquicoche offers available through the Flexible offer option require you to return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at pickup. These offers have a security deposit from €200 or more, depending on the protection package selected. If fuel is missing at return, the corresponding amount can be taken from this deposit.
- Full / Full with a security deposit: Enterprise offers available across our Valencia pickup locations use a Full / Full fuel policy. The security deposit is normally €200–€400, depending on the rental conditions and selected package. The vehicle must be returned with a full tank.
These examples show why it is important to look at the complete rental conditions rather than focusing only on the daily price. Two cars with a similar rental price can have very different deposit and fuel requirements.
You can compare offers at all our main Valencia pickup locations, including Valencia Airport, Valencia North Railway Station, Joaquín Sorolla Railway Station, Valencia Bus Station, Valencia Port and Valencia City Centre. The available fuel policy is shown as part of the rental conditions for each offer.
Full / Full Fuel Policy with a Fuel Deposit
One of the Full / Full options available at Valencia Airport is provided by Victoria Car Rental. With this policy, you collect the car with a full tank and are expected to return it with a full tank. The important detail is that the amount held at pickup is a fuel deposit, not a security deposit.
The fuel deposit is normally around €50–€120, depending on the vehicle category and fuel type. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and 7-seater cars, may have a higher fuel deposit than smaller vehicles.
- At pickup: the car is supplied with a full tank and the fuel deposit is charged or held according to the rental conditions.
- During the rental: you use the vehicle normally and are responsible for returning it with a full tank.
- At return: refuel the car before returning it and keep the petrol station receipt.
- After return: when the vehicle is returned with a full tank, the fuel deposit is refunded because there is no missing fuel to compensate.
This type of fuel deposit should not be confused with the security deposit used by other rental offers. Its purpose is specifically to cover any fuel shortfall. If the tank is returned full, there is no missing fuel to deduct from the amount.
If you are comparing offers because you specifically want to avoid a security deposit, check the conditions of the individual car carefully. Some no-deposit car rental offers in Valencia can still include a separate fuel deposit, because the two amounts serve different purposes.
Equivalent Fuel Policy: Return the Same Fuel Level
Another option available in Valencia is an Equivalent Fuel policy. Selected Alquicoche offers use this system and can be found through the Flexible offer filter when comparing rental cars.
The principle is simple: you return the car with approximately the same fuel level as when you collected it. For example, if the vehicle has three-quarters of a tank at pickup, you should return it with approximately three-quarters of a tank. You do not need to fill the tank completely unless it was full when you received the car.
- At pickup: check the fuel gauge and make sure the starting fuel level is clear.
- During the rental: you can refuel whenever necessary, depending on your journey.
- Before return: aim to restore the fuel level to approximately the same point as at pickup.
- If fuel is missing: the corresponding fuel cost can be compensated from the security deposit according to the rental conditions.
These offers have a security deposit from €200 or more, depending on the protection package selected. This is different from the €50–€120 fuel deposit used with some Full / Full offers: here, the security deposit can cover other rental obligations as well as any missing fuel, according to the rental terms.
Selected Alquicoche offers are available at several convenient Valencia pickup locations, including Valencia City Centre, Valencia Port, Valencia Bus Station and Valencia North Railway Station.
When collecting the car, it is a good idea to take a quick photo of the fuel gauge. This gives you a clear record of the starting fuel level and makes it easier to check how much you need to replace before returning the vehicle.
Full / Full Fuel Policy with a Security Deposit
Another Full / Full option available in Valencia is provided by Enterprise. The basic rule is straightforward: you collect the car with a full tank and must return it with a full tank.
The important difference is the type of deposit. With these offers, the deposit is a security deposit, normally between €200 and €400, depending on the rental conditions and the package selected. It should not be confused with the separate fuel deposit used by some other Full / Full offers.
- Fuel policy: Full / Full.
- Security deposit: normally €200–€400, depending on the applicable rental conditions.
- At pickup: the vehicle is supplied with a full tank.
- At return: the vehicle must be returned with a full tank.
- Missing fuel: if the vehicle is returned with less fuel, the applicable amount may be deducted according to the rental conditions.
These Enterprise offers are available at selected Valencia pickup locations, including Valencia Airport, Joaquín Sorolla Railway Station and Valencia Port.
If you choose this type of offer, plan your final refuelling before returning the car. The easiest approach is to use a petrol station close to the return location, fill the tank as close to full as possible and keep the receipt.
How to Identify the Correct Fuel Type
Before refuelling a rental car in Spain, always check which type of fuel the vehicle requires. The safest way is to look at the fuel label inside the fuel flap and match it with the marking on the pump at the petrol station.
Spanish petrol stations use standard European fuel markings, so check the label rather than relying on the colour of the pump or fuel nozzle. For petrol, you will normally see markings such as E5 or E10, while diesel is marked B7 or B10. Always make sure the marking on the pump matches the fuel type specified for your rental car. If the vehicle's fuel label or rental documentation is unclear, do not guess. Contact the rental office using the phone number provided in your rental contract before refuelling.
- Petrol: look for markings such as E5 or E10.
- Diesel: look for markings such as B7 or B10.
- Inside the fuel flap: check the vehicle's own fuel label before choosing the pump.
- At the petrol station: make sure the marking on the pump matches the fuel type specified for your rental car.
If you are still unsure which fuel to use, do not refuel until you have confirmed it with the rental office.
What to Do If the AdBlue Warning Appears
Some diesel rental cars use AdBlue, a separate fluid used by the vehicle's emissions system. If an AdBlue warning appears during your rental, do not ignore it if the vehicle indicates that further driving may not be possible without a refill.
- First contact the rental office: use the phone number provided in your rental contract and agree on the next step before buying AdBlue.
- Refill if authorised: if the office confirms that you should refill the AdBlue, you can normally do this at a petrol station.
- Keep the receipt: make sure you receive a receipt showing the AdBlue purchase.
- Provide the receipt at return: give the receipt to the rental office when you return the vehicle so the authorised AdBlue cost can be reimbursed.
Important: AdBlue is not diesel and must not be added to the fuel tank. It is stored in a separate tank in vehicles that use the system. If you are unsure where to refill it or which fluid the warning refers to, contact the rental office before doing anything.
How to Return the Car With a Full Tank
If your rental has a Full / Full fuel policy, the simplest way to avoid a fuel charge is to refuel shortly before returning the car. Choose a petrol station as close as practical to the return location so that the tank remains as full as possible when you hand the vehicle back.
- Find a nearby petrol station: ideally, choose one on the way to your rental return point rather than refuelling far away from it.
- Fill the tank: refuel as close to full as reasonably possible. A small difference of around 2–3 litres can occur depending on the fuel gauge and filling conditions.
- Keep the receipt: save the petrol station receipt showing the final refuelling.
- Take a photo: keep a photo of the receipt on your phone in case you need a record later.
- Show the receipt at return: give it to the rental office when you return the vehicle. This can help with processing the fuel deposit refund.
If you are returning the car at Valencia Airport, it is particularly useful to refuel before entering the airport return area. Planning the final fuel stop in advance gives you time to fill the tank, keep the receipt and reach the return point without having to look for another petrol station.
The same principle applies at other Valencia pickup and return locations: check the exact return instructions in your rental documents and allow enough time for the final refuelling before handing over the vehicle.
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Enter your rental dates, pickup location and driver's details to compare available vehicles. Check the fuel policy, deposit and protection conditions for each offer before booking, so you know exactly what to expect when you collect and return the car.
Electric Rental Cars: Check the Charging Policy
Electric cars do not use petrol or diesel, but the same principle applies to charging: always check the vehicle's starting charge level and the return requirements before you leave the rental location. The exact charging conditions can vary between rental offers.
- At pickup: check the battery charge level and note it together with the condition of the vehicle.
- During the rental: plan your charging stops according to your route and the vehicle's remaining range.
- Before return: recharge the vehicle according to the charging level specified in your rental conditions.
- Check the offer: some rentals may have specific charging or return requirements, so do not assume that every electric car follows the same policy.
Think of the charging level in the same way as the fuel gauge on a petrol or diesel car: the important point is to check what you received and what the rental conditions require you to return. If the charging policy is not clear, confirm it with the rental office before returning the vehicle.
Fuel Deposit vs Security Deposit vs Excess
These three terms are often confused when comparing car rental offers, but they refer to different things. A fuel deposit relates specifically to the fuel policy, while a security deposit can cover several rental obligations. The excess relates to your financial responsibility for covered damage or theft under the applicable protection conditions.
- Fuel deposit: an amount held specifically to cover missing fuel. For example, some Full / Full offers in Valencia have a fuel deposit of around €50–€120. If you return the vehicle with a full tank, the amount is refunded according to the rental conditions.
- Security deposit: an amount held by the rental company as security for possible charges under the rental agreement. Depending on the offer, it may also be used to cover missing fuel or other applicable costs.
- Excess: the amount you may be responsible for in the event of covered damage or theft, depending on the protection package and rental conditions. It is not the same as the security deposit.
This means that a car advertised with no deposit does not automatically mean that there is no fuel-related charge or pre-authorisation. Likewise, a zero-excess offer does not necessarily mean that no security deposit is required. Always check these conditions separately before booking.
For a more detailed explanation of how security deposits work and what they can cover, see our guide to car rental deposits in Spain.
How to Choose the Right Fuel Policy
There is no single fuel policy that suits every rental. The right option depends on how you plan to use the car, where you are returning it and whether you want to deal with a fuel deposit or security deposit. Before booking, check the fuel conditions together with the total rental price and protection package.
- Want a simple return? A Full / Full policy is straightforward: collect the car with a full tank and refuel before returning it.
- Do not want to fill the tank completely? Check whether the offer uses an Equivalent Fuel policy, where you return the vehicle with approximately the same fuel level as at pickup.
- Want to avoid a security deposit? Check the deposit conditions of the individual offer. A fuel deposit and a security deposit are different charges.
- Renting an SUV or 7-seater? Check the fuel deposit before booking, as larger vehicles may have a higher fuel deposit.
- Renting an electric car? Check the required battery level at pickup and return, as well as any specific charging conditions.
- Returning at Valencia Airport? Plan your final refuelling stop before reaching the return area and allow enough time to keep the receipt.
Most importantly, do not compare rental cars by price alone. Check the fuel policy, deposit, excess, protection package and return conditions together. This gives you a much clearer picture of what you will actually pay and what is expected when you return the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental Fuel Policies in Valencia
What is the Full / Full fuel policy for a rental car in Valencia?
With a Full / Full policy, you collect the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. You normally pay for the fuel you use during the rental and should refuel shortly before returning the vehicle. Some offers may also include a separate fuel deposit.
Is a fuel deposit the same as a security deposit?
No. A fuel deposit is specifically related to the vehicle's fuel level and can be used to cover missing fuel at return. A security deposit can cover other charges under the rental agreement as well. Always check which type of deposit applies to the specific offer.
What happens if I return the rental car with less fuel?
The missing fuel can be charged according to the rental conditions. Depending on the offer, the amount may be deducted from a fuel deposit or security deposit. To avoid this, follow the fuel policy and refuel before returning the vehicle.
How do I know which fuel to put in my rental car in Spain?
Check the fuel label inside the fuel flap and match it with the marking on the petrol station pump. Petrol is commonly marked E5 or E10, while diesel is marked B7 or B10. If you are unsure, contact the rental office before refuelling.
What should I do if the AdBlue warning appears?
Contact the rental office first using the phone number in your rental contract. If they confirm that you should refill the AdBlue, keep the petrol station receipt and provide it to the office when you return the car so the authorised cost can be reimbursed.
Do electric rental cars have a fuel policy?
Electric cars do not use petrol or diesel, but they have charging requirements instead. Check the battery level at pickup and the required charge level at return, as the exact charging conditions depend on the rental offer.