Car Rental Evolution: Trends in Spain, Poland, and Turkey
Renting a car is one of the most convenient ways to move around during a trip. In 2026 year the car rental market in Europe and neighboring countries is developing dynamically. This growth is driven by increasing tourism, digitalization of services, and growing ecological awareness. Spain, Poland, and Turkey are three countries that differ in market size and specifics, but they still reflect global trends by offering modern services tailored to customer needs.
Tourism drives the rent-a-car market
Spain remains a leader in digitalization and ecology. It is constantly one of the most important car rental markets in Europe, with a growing number of bookings. Growth is especially visible during the tourist season, where it reaches even +30% compared to previous years. The popularity of car rentals is particularly high in regions like Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands, or the Canary Islands, where a car gives the freedom to explore. In large cities like Barcelona or Madrid, due to well-developed public transport and traffic jams, it is often more profitable for tourists to use city transport. In 2025, Spanish rental companies invested heavily in electric and hybrid cars. These investments are a response to EU regulations and growing customer expectations.Digital booking platforms, mobile apps, and contactless services have become the standard, which makes renting much easier and increases user comfort. Spanish companies offer flexible terms, such as no mileage limits or the possibility to return the car in a different location.
Mobility in Poland: Between tradition and digitalization
The Polish car market is growing at a rate of about 10%. In 2025, there was an increase in the popularity of online bookings, although some customers still use traditional rental points. In 2025 year on car market was about 1.5 million rented cars. Most rentals take place in Warsaw, Cracow, and at airports. In Poland, a car is often chosen for trips outside the city, where public transport is less developed. The Polish industry focuses on competitive prices, which are often lower than in Spain, but contract terms can be more restrictive, like because of mileage limits or the need to buy additional insurance. Growing customer awareness and market pressure are forcing improvements in service quality, although the level of service still varies.
Mobility in Turkey’s tourist locations
Turkey, despite having a smaller car rental market, is seeing an increase in interest in these services. This growth is especially noted in popular tourist regions. Prices are attractive, but customers must be aware of hidden costs, such as high deposits or fees for additional drivers. In 2025, local rental companies are increasingly implementing digital booking systems, although service standards and transparency of terms remain a challenge to regulate. Turkey is trying to keep up with European trends, but infrastructure and regulations still require development. Turkey records about 800,000 car rentals annually, with the highest demand in tourist regions. Cars are mostly rented from Bodrum and Dalaman airport by tourist to go far from city centers, to go see tourist places. Even of popularity of the local rental companies the customer must be careful during reading contracts.
Poles prefer rentals, Turks prefer public transport
Polish tourists are increasingly willing to rent cars in Spain. According to 2024 data, about 25% of Poles visiting Spain use car rentals, mainly for family holiday trips. Turks, on the other hand, rent cars less often, about 10%, more frequently using public transport or organized tours.
