Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo)
CONTRATO DE ARRENDAMIENTO DE VEHÍCULO
Vehicle Rental Agreement — Private Hire
Governed by Código Civil Article 1542 and Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015 (LSV)
1. PARTIES
VEHICLE OWNER (ARRENDADOR):
Name: [Owner Name]
DNI / NIE / CIF: [Owner DNI/CIF]
Address: [Owner Address]
Contact Phone: [Owner Phone]
RENTER (ARRENDATARIO):
Name: [Renter Name]
DNI / NIE / Passport: [Renter DNI]
Address: [Renter Address]
Driving Licence Number: [Licence Number]
Licence Category: [Licence Category]
Licence Expiry Date: [Licence Expiry]
2. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
Make (Marca): [Vehicle Make]
Model (Modelo): [Vehicle Model]
Year of Registration (Año de Matriculación): [Vehicle Year]
Registration Plate (Matrícula): [Plate Number]
Vehicle Identification Number (Número de Bastidor / VIN): [VIN]
Odometer at Delivery (Cuentakilómetros): [Odometer Reading] km
Fuel Level at Delivery: [Fuel Level]
The renter acknowledges receipt of the vehicle's permiso de circulación (DGT vehicle registration document) and ITV card during the rental period.
3. RENTAL PERIOD AND LOGISTICS
Rental Start: [Rental Start]
Rental End: [Rental End]
Vehicle Delivery Location (Lugar de Entrega): [Delivery Location]
Vehicle Return Location (Lugar de Devolución): [Return Location]
Late Return Rate: [Late Return Rate] per additional day beyond the agreed return time. Late return exceeding 24 hours without prior consent entitles the owner to recover the vehicle at the renter's expense.
4. RENTAL PRICE AND DEPOSIT
Agreed Rental Price (Precio del Arrendamiento): [Rental Price].
Security Deposit (Depósito de Garantía): [Deposit Amount], payable by the renter at the time of vehicle delivery. The deposit shall be returned to the renter within 15 days of vehicle return, after deduction of any damage costs, outstanding traffic fines, unpaid fuel, or other amounts owed by the renter under this agreement.
5. INSURANCE
The vehicle is covered by mandatory civil liability insurance (seguro obligatorio de responsabilidad civil automovilística) under the Ley sobre Responsabilidad Civil y Seguro en la Circulación de Vehículos a Motor (Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004 — LRCSCVM).
Insurance Company (Aseguradora): [Insurer Name]
Policy Number: [Policy Number]
Renter Covered as Authorised Driver: [Renter Covered]
The mandatory policy covers personal injury and property damage caused to third parties. The renter is liable for any damage to the vehicle itself not covered by insurance and for any excess (franquicia) applicable to voluntary coverage. The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) acts as insurer of last resort for incidents involving uninsured vehicles.
6. RENTER'S OBLIGATIONS AND PERMITTED USE
The renter undertakes to:
(a) Use the vehicle only for lawful purposes and within the territory of Spain, unless the owner grants prior written consent for international use.
(b) Comply with all provisions of the Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015 (Ley sobre Tráfico, Circulación de Vehículos a Motor y Seguridad Vial — LSV), including speed limits, alcohol limits under Article 20 LSV (maximum 0.25 mg/L exhaled air for standard drivers), and obligatory use of seatbelts and child restraint systems.
(c) Carry the vehicle's permiso de circulación and insurance documentation at all times while driving.
(d) Not sub-let, lend, or otherwise transfer possession of the vehicle to any third party not named in this agreement. Subletting without the owner's written consent is prohibited under Article 1550 of the Código Civil.
(e) Not use the vehicle for racing, off-road driving, commercial transportation of passengers or goods for hire, or any other prohibited purpose.
(f) Return the vehicle in the same condition as received, with the same fuel level, with all documentation, and on the agreed date and at the agreed location.
7. TRAFFIC SANCTIONS AND TOLLS
The renter is solely responsible for all traffic fines (multas de tráfico), parking penalties, and toll charges (peajes) incurred during the rental period. If the owner receives a sanction notice from the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) for an infraction committed during the rental period, the renter undertakes to identify themselves to the DGT within the statutory period under Article 84 of the LSV and to reimburse the owner for any amounts paid. Points (puntos del carnet) deducted for traffic violations are deducted from the driver's licence (permiso de conducción) under the points system introduced by Ley 17/2005.
8. VEHICLE CONDITION AND DAMAGE
Both parties have completed and signed a vehicle condition report (informe de estado del vehículo) at the time of delivery, documenting all pre-existing damage with photographs. At return, both parties shall complete the same procedure. Any new damage identified at return beyond ordinary wear and tear (desgaste normal) is the renter's responsibility under Article 1555 of the Código Civil and may be deducted from the security deposit or claimed separately before the Juzgado de Primera Instancia.
9. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
This agreement is governed by Spanish law, principally the Código Civil (Articles 1542 et seq.), the Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015 (LSV), and the Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004 (LRCSCVM). Disputes shall be submitted to the Juzgado de Primera Instancia of the location of vehicle delivery or of the owner's domicile, at the owner's election.
SIGNATURES
Signed in [Contract City], on [Contract Date].
VEHICLE OWNER (ARRENDADOR):
[Owner Name]
Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________
RENTER (ARRENDATARIO):
[Renter Name]
Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________
I, [Renter Name], confirm receipt of the vehicle in the condition documented in the condition report attached to this agreement.
Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Vehicle Owner (Arrendador)
________________
Signature
Renter (Arrendatario)
________________
Signature
What Is a Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo)?
A Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) is a formal written agreement under which an owner (arrendador) temporarily transfers possession of a motor vehicle to a renter (arrendatario) in exchange for an agreed rental price (precio del arrendamiento), governed principally by Article 1542 of the Código Civil, which defines the lease of things (arrendamiento de cosas) as a contract by which one party obligates the other to give temporary enjoyment of a thing in exchange for a certain price. Vehicle rentals in Spain are additionally governed by Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015, de 30 de octubre (Ley sobre Tráfico, Circulación de Vehículos a Motor y Seguridad Vial — LSV), which establishes mandatory vehicle registration, roadworthiness inspection (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos — ITV), and the obligations of drivers and vehicle owners in relation to traffic administration.
Mandatory vehicle insurance is governed by the Ley sobre Responsabilidad Civil y Seguro en la Circulación de Vehículos a Motor (Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004, de 29 de octubre — LRCSCVM), which requires that every vehicle in circulation in Spain carry at minimum a civil liability insurance policy (seguro obligatorio de responsabilidad civil) covering personal injury and property damage caused to third parties. The minimum coverage amounts are set by the Reglamento del Seguro Obligatorio, updated periodically by the Ministerio del Interior and the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGSFP). The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) acts as the insurer of last resort for accidents involving uninsured or unidentified vehicles.
Private vehicle rental agreements between individuals (alquiler entre particulares) are distinct from commercial vehicle hire through registered rent-a-car companies (empresas de alquiler de vehículos), which are regulated by the Reglamento de Arrendamiento de Vehículos sin Conductor (Real Decreto 1076/1986) and must obtain a VTC (Vehículos de Transporte con Conductor) or related licence from the Ministerio de Transportes where applicable. Private rentals between individuals are freely governed by the Código Civil's arrendamiento de cosas provisions, with mandatory compliance only with traffic, insurance, and tax regulations.
The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) administers the Registro de Vehículos (vehicle register), assigns matriculación (registration plates), and enforces road traffic law through the Cuerpo Nacional de Policía, the Guardia Civil's Agrupación de Tráfico, and local police (Policía Local). Any traffic sanctions (multas de tráfico) incurred by the renter during the rental period remain the renter's personal liability under Article 84 LSV — the registered owner (titular) of the vehicle may receive the initial sanction notice but may redirect it to the actual driver (conductor) by identifying them to the DGT within the statutory period.
Rental income from a vehicle rental agreement between individuals in Spain is taxed as rendimiento del capital mobiliario under Article 25.4 of the Ley 35/2006 del IRPF if the owner does not engage in a habitual vehicle rental business, or as rendimiento de actividad económica if the rental constitutes a business activity requiring alta en el censo de empresarios (Modelo 036/037 with the Agencia Tributaria). Professional vehicle rental companies must charge IVA at 21% under Article 90 of the Ley 37/1992 del IVA.
When Do You Need a Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo)?
A Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain is needed whenever an individual or company allows another person to use a motor vehicle temporarily in exchange for payment — whether for a weekend, a week, a month, or a defined period — and wishes to document the agreed terms, allocate liability for traffic fines and accidents, and protect the vehicle against damage not covered by the mandatory civil liability insurance.
The Spain Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) contract is required when a private individual in Spain lends or rents their car, motorcycle, van, or other motor vehicle to a friend, family member, or acquaintance in exchange for compensation — without a written agreement, disputes about responsibility for damage, fuel, tolls, or traffic sanctions become difficult to resolve and may result in costly litigation before the Juzgado de Primera Instancia.
A Vehicle Rental Agreement is needed when a company lets its fleet vehicles to employees for personal use, to clients for test drives, or to partners for project-related travel — documenting permitted drivers, geographic restrictions, and insurance cover is essential for the company's risk management and for compliance with the DGT's rules on vehicle owner liability.
The Spain Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) contract is required when renting a recreational vehicle (autocaravana, caravana, or moto de agua) for a holiday in Spain — campsite operators and marinas often require a written rental agreement as a condition of access, and the agreement should specifically address the rules of the campsite or marina alongside the general rental terms.
A Vehicle Rental Agreement is needed when a vehicle is delivered to the renter at a location other than the owner's residence — airports, train stations, or ports — where delivery and return logistics, fuel level, and vehicle condition must be documented precisely to avoid disputes.
The Spain Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) document is also required by insurers when processing claims arising from accidents during a private rental — without a written rental agreement, the insurer may dispute whether the vehicle was in authorised use and may seek to reduce or deny the claim.
Under Spanish law, the Código Civil governs marriage (Article 66), divorce (Article 81), custody (Article 92), and maintenance (Article 142). The Ley Orgánica 1/1996 (LOPJM) protects minors. The Registro Civil records births, marriages, and deaths. The Ley 15/2015 de Jurisdicción Voluntaria governs non-contentious proceedings. The Ley Orgánica 1/1982 protects fundamental rights including image and privacy.
What to Include in Your Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo)
A valid Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain under Código Civil Article 1542 and Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015 must include the following essential elements to be enforceable and to allocate liability correctly.
Identification of Parties: Full legal names, DNI/NIE/passport numbers, and contact addresses of both the vehicle owner (arrendador) and the renter (arrendatario). The renter's driving licence number (número de permiso de conducción), category (categoría — B, C, D, etc.), issuing authority, and expiry date must be recorded to verify that the renter is legally authorised to drive the vehicle in Spain under Article 4 LSV.
Vehicle Identification: Make (marca), model (modelo), year of first registration (año de matriculación), registration plate (matrícula), Vehicle Identification Number (VIN — número de bastidor), colour, fuel type, and odometer reading at delivery (lectura del cuentakilómetros). The ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) expiry date and the vehicle registration document (permiso de circulación issued by the DGT) details must be recorded.
Rental Period: Precise start and end dates and times, delivery location (lugar de entrega), and return location (lugar de devolución). Late return provisions and the applicable daily rate for each additional day must be stated to avoid disputes.
Rental Price and Payment: The agreed total price or daily/weekly rate, payment method (bank transfer, cash, card), and the due date. If a deposit (depósito de garantía or franquicia) is held against potential damage, its amount, the conditions for deduction, and the timeline for return (typically within 15 days of vehicle return) must be stated.
Insurance: Identification of the mandatory civil liability insurance policy (póliza del seguro obligatorio de responsabilidad civil) covering the vehicle under the LRCSCVM (RDL 8/2004), the insurer (aseguradora), policy number, and coverage limits. Whether the renter is included as an authorised driver (conductor autorizado) under the policy must be confirmed. Any additional voluntary coverage (seguro de daños propios — casco) should be documented, including the excess (franquicia) amount payable by the renter in the event of a claim.
Permitted Use and Geographic Restrictions: Permitted driving territory — Spain only, Schengen area, or other — and any prohibited uses: racing, off-road driving, commercial transportation of goods or passengers. Subletting or lending the vehicle to third parties not named in the contract must be expressly prohibited.
Driver Obligations: The renter's obligation to comply with the LSV, to not drive under the influence of alcohol above 0.25 mg/L in exhaled air (0.15 mg/L for professional drivers) under Article 20 LSV, to respect speed limits, and to carry the vehicle's documentation at all times.
Damage Assessment and Return Condition: A vehicle condition report (informe de estado del vehículo) signed by both parties at delivery and return, noting all pre-existing damage with photographs. The renter's liability for damage caused during the rental that exceeds the insurance coverage (franquicia) must be stated.
Traffic Sanctions: The renter's obligation to pay all traffic fines (multas) and tolls (peajes) incurred during the rental period, and to identify themselves to the DGT if the owner receives a sanction notice under Article 84 LSV.
Forms-legal.com provides this Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain template as a practical reference. Vehicle owners providing regular rental services should consult a qualified abogado or gestor to assess whether their activity requires business registration, IVA billing, and commercial insurance.
Additional compliance elements for a Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) used in Spain include: Under Spanish law, the Código Civil governs marriage (Article 66), divorce (Article 81), custody (Article 92), and maintenance (Article 142). The Ley Orgánica 1/1996 (LOPJM) protects minors. The Registro Civil records births, marriages, and deaths. The Ley 15/2015 de Jurisdicción Voluntaria governs non-contentious proceedings. The Ley Orgánica 1/1982 protects fundamental rights including image and privacy. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Spain-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) (Spain) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/espana/personal/bills-of-sale/vehicle-rental-agreement-spain
"Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) (Spain)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/espana/personal/bills-of-sale/vehicle-rental-agreement-spain.
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title = {Vehicle Rental Agreement Spain (Contrato de Arrendamiento de Vehículo) (Spain)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/espana/personal/bills-of-sale/vehicle-rental-agreement-spain}},
note = {Free legal document template}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Los contratos privados de arrendamiento de vehículos entre particulares en España se rigen por las disposiciones del Código Civil sobre arrendamiento de cosas y generalmente no requieren una licencia específica de negocio de alquiler, siempre que la actividad sea genuinamente ocasional y no una actividad comercial. Sin embargo, las empresas comerciales de alquiler de vehículos — las que prestan el arrendamiento sin conductor de forma habitual — deben cumplir el Reglamento de Arrendamiento de Vehículos sin Conductor (Real Decreto 1076/1986) y, dependiendo de los servicios ofrecidos, pueden necesitar licencia del Ministerio de Transportes. Un particular que arriende vehículos habitualmente como actividad económica debe darse de alta como autónomo en la Agencia Tributaria (Modelo 036/037), darse de alta en IVA (21%) y declarar los rendimientos del arrendamiento como rendimiento de actividad económica conforme a la Ley 35/2006.
Conforme al artículo 84 del Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015 (LSV), las sanciones de tráfico por infracciones detectadas por cámaras automatizadas (radares, control de velocidad por tramo, semáforos con cámara) se notifican inicialmente al titular del vehículo. El titular puede evitar la responsabilidad personal identificando al conductor (arrendatario) ante la Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) en el plazo indicado en la notificación de la sanción. El incumplimiento de la identificación del conductor da lugar a que el titular sea tratado como conductor a efectos de la sanción. El contrato de arrendamiento de vehículo debe incluir una cláusula expresa que obligue al arrendatario a identificarse si así se le solicita y a reembolsar al titular las multas abonadas por éste que sean atribuibles a la conducción del arrendatario. Los puntos del carnet se deducen del permiso de conducción del conductor, no del titular, conforme al sistema de carnet por puntos introducido por la Ley 17/2005.
Todo vehículo en circulación en España debe llevar el seguro obligatorio de responsabilidad civil automovilística conforme a la Ley sobre Responsabilidad Civil y Seguro en la Circulación de Vehículos a Motor (Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004 — LRCSCVM). La póliza obligatoria cubre los daños personales y materiales causados a terceros hasta los límites mínimos establecidos por el Reglamento del Seguro Obligatorio. Para los arrendamientos privados de vehículos, el contrato debe confirmar que el arrendatario está cubierto por la póliza existente como conductor autorizado — muchas aseguradoras exigen notificación previa cuando un vehículo se presta a un conductor no habitual. El Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) cubre a las víctimas de vehículos sin seguro o no identificados. Se recomienda encarecidamente la cobertura voluntaria adicional (seguro de daños propios — casco) para el período de arrendamiento.
Debe cumplimentarse y firmar un informe de estado del vehículo completo por parte del propietario (arrendador) y el arrendatario en el momento de la entrega del vehículo. El informe debe registrar la lectura del cuentakilómetros, el nivel de combustible, el estado de los neumáticos y todos los arañazos, abolladuras, grietas y defectos mecánicos visibles utilizando un plano del vehículo con los daños marcados. Deben tomarse fotografías y, preferiblemente, una grabación de vídeo corta del exterior e interior del vehículo con marca de tiempo. A la devolución, debe repetirse el mismo procedimiento. Cualquier daño nuevo identificado en la devolución más allá del desgaste normal es responsabilidad del arrendatario conforme al artículo 1555 del Código Civil, y el coste puede deducirse del depósito de garantía o reclamarse por separado ante el Juzgado de Primera Instancia.
No, salvo que el propietario del vehículo lo autorice expresamente por escrito. El artículo 1550 del Código Civil prohíbe al arrendatario subarrendar o ceder el bien arrendado a un tercero sin el consentimiento del arrendador. El arrendatario que subarriende el vehículo sin autorización incumple el contrato de arrendamiento y puede ser declarado responsable de todos los daños y las infracciones de tráfico causados por el subarrendatario no autorizado. Además, la póliza de seguro que cubre el vehículo excluirá habitualmente la cobertura de daños causados mientras el vehículo es conducido por un conductor no autorizado — lo que significa que el arrendatario soportaría plena responsabilidad personal por cualquier accidente causado por el subarrendatario. El contrato de arrendamiento debe indicar expresamente que el subarriendo y el préstamo a terceros no mencionados está prohibido y constituye un incumplimiento esencial que faculta al propietario para la resolución inmediata y la recuperación del vehículo.
Si el arrendatario en España no devuelve el vehículo en el lugar y la fecha acordados, el propietario puede intentar en primer lugar el contacto directo y exigir la devolución. Si el arrendatario se niega, el propietario puede interponer una denuncia ante la Policía Nacional o la Guardia Civil por apropiación indebida o uso no autorizado conforme a los artículos 253 y 623 del Código Penal, especialmente si el arrendatario retiene el vehículo más allá del período acordado sin consentimiento. En vía civil, el propietario puede solicitar una medida cautelar urgente ante el Juzgado de Primera Instancia conforme a los artículos 721 a 747 de la Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil (LEC) para ordenar la recuperación del vehículo. El propietario también puede reclamar las cuotas de arrendamiento pendientes y cualquier coste incurrido durante el período de no devolución. El contrato de arrendamiento escrito es el documento esencial tanto para los procedimientos penales como civiles.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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