Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service govern your use of the website operated at madeirarentalcar.com and any vehicle rental bookings made through it. By accessing this website or placing a reservation, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these terms in full.

Madeira Rental Car operates from Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, and facilitates vehicle hire arrangements across the island including pickup and delivery services covering Funchal city centre, Funchal Airport (Aeroporto Internacional da Madeira Cristiano Ronaldo), and hotel locations throughout the Funchal municipality and wider Madeira.

If you do not accept these terms, you must not use this website or place any booking. We reserve the right to update these terms at any time. The version published at the time of your booking confirmation will apply to that reservation.

2. Eligibility Requirements for Car Hire in Funchal

To be eligible to rent a vehicle through madeirarentalcar.com, you must meet the following conditions at the time of vehicle collection:

• You must hold a valid, full driving licence that has been held for a minimum of one year prior to the rental start date.
• The minimum age to hire a standard vehicle in Funchal is 21 years old. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may be subject to a young driver supplement, typically between EUR 5 and EUR 10 per day depending on the vehicle category selected.
• For premium vehicles, SUVs, and 7-seater family cars, the minimum driver age is 25 years. This condition applies to the primary driver and any additional drivers added to the rental agreement.
• Drivers holding licences issued in European Union member states do not require an International Driving Permit (IDP). Drivers holding licences issued outside the EU are strongly advised to obtain a valid IDP to accompany their national licence, particularly as Portuguese traffic police on mountain roads in Madeira - including the EN101 Encumeada pass and roads near Pico do Arieiro - may request documentary checks.
• Licences printed in a non-Latin alphabet must be accompanied by an official certified translation or a valid IDP without exception.
• You must present the physical licence at the point of collection. Digital or photocopied licences are not accepted.

3. Bookings, Reservations, and Cancellation Policy

All reservations made through madeirarentalcar.com are subject to vehicle availability at the time of confirmation. A booking is considered confirmed only once you receive a written confirmation from us by email.

We operate a free cancellation policy on eligible bookings. To qualify for a full refund, cancellations must be submitted in writing to info@madeirarentalcar.com no later than 48 hours before the scheduled vehicle collection time. Cancellations received within 48 hours of pickup may be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to one day's rental rate for the reserved vehicle category.

No-show situations - where a renter fails to collect the vehicle and has not communicated a cancellation - are non-refundable. If your flight into Funchal is delayed, please contact us as soon as possible so we can hold the vehicle. We make every reasonable effort to accommodate late arrivals at Funchal Airport.

Bookings for same day car hire in Funchal are accepted subject to availability and must be confirmed by our team before the vehicle is made available. We recommend reserving at least 24 hours ahead during peak season (July, August, the Christmas and New Year period) to secure your preferred vehicle.

Modifications to an existing reservation, including changes to pickup date, vehicle category, or rental duration, must be requested in writing and are subject to availability and any applicable rate differences.

4. Pricing, Payment, and Optional Extras for Funchal Car Rentals

All prices displayed on this website are quoted in Euros (EUR) and are inclusive of Portuguese VAT (IVA) at the applicable rate unless otherwise stated. Base rental rates include the vehicle itself, standard third-party liability insurance, and unlimited mileage - so you can drive from Funchal to Porto Moniz, Santana, or Calheta without worrying about distance costs.

The following items are not included in the base rate and must be selected and paid for separately at the time of booking or confirmed at the point of vehicle collection:

• Child seats and baby seats (available in infant, toddler, and booster sizes)
• GPS satellite navigation units (where not built into the vehicle)
• Portable WiFi hotspot devices
• Additional driver registration
• Upgraded insurance packages (Comfort, Premium, or All-Inclusive)
• One-way rental surcharges if applicable

Fuel policy is full-to-full unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation. You are required to return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at collection. Failure to do so will result in a refuelling charge applied at the prevailing local pump rate plus a service fee.

Payment is accepted by major credit and debit cards. Certain vehicle categories are available without a credit card deposit. Where a deposit or pre-authorisation is required, this will be clearly communicated prior to booking confirmation and released within 7 to 14 business days of vehicle return subject to no damage or outstanding charges.

5. Permitted Vehicle Use and Prohibited Activities

All vehicles rented through madeirarentalcar.com must be used lawfully and in accordance with Portuguese road traffic law and the specific conditions outlined in your rental agreement. By accepting these terms, you confirm that you will operate the vehicle responsibly during your time in Madeira.

The following activities are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate termination of the rental agreement, full loss of any deposit or pre-authorisation, and potential liability for the full cost of vehicle damage or recovery:

• Off-road use on unsurfaced tracks, including unpaved forest roads in the Ribeiro Frio nature reserve or similar terrain
• Use of the vehicle in any form of racing, speed trial, or competitive motor sport
• Sub-letting, re-renting, or otherwise allowing an unauthorised third party to drive the vehicle
• Operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs driving ability
• Transporting the vehicle by ferry to Porto Santo or any other island without prior written consent
• Smoking inside the vehicle
• Transporting animals inside the vehicle without prior written approval and appropriate protective covering
• Overloading the vehicle beyond its stated passenger or cargo capacity

Renters are responsible for ensuring all passengers wear seatbelts at all times and that child passengers are appropriately restrained in approved child seats. Portuguese law requires all children under 135 cm in height to travel in an appropriate restraint system.

6. Insurance and Liability

Every vehicle hired through madeirarentalcar.com includes basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and third-party liability insurance as required by Portuguese law. This basic coverage is subject to an excess (deductible) which varies by vehicle category and will be clearly shown in your booking confirmation. Standard excess amounts range from EUR 800 to EUR 1,500 for most vehicle categories.

Optional upgraded insurance packages are available to reduce or eliminate the excess amount:

• Comfort Cover: includes theft protection and 24-hour roadside assistance, with a reduced excess of EUR 800
• Premium Cover: adds windscreen, glass, and personal accident protection, with an excess of EUR 300
• All-Inclusive Cover: zero deductible with full coverage including tyre and rim damage - recommended for driving Madeira's narrower mountain roads around areas such as Curral das Freiras or the north coast

Insurance coverage is void in any of the following circumstances: violation of the prohibited activities listed in Section 5; use of the vehicle by an unauthorised driver; damage caused while driving under the influence; or deliberate misrepresentation of information at the time of booking. In these cases, the renter accepts full financial responsibility for all loss, damage, and recovery costs.

Personal belongings left in the vehicle are not covered under any rental insurance. We recommend securing valuables and using the vehicle boot when parking in busy areas of Funchal including the Zona Velha and the marina.

7. Limitation of Liability

madeirarentalcar.com acts as a facilitator connecting renters with vehicle hire services in Funchal and across Madeira. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Portuguese and European Union consumer law, our liability is limited to the direct costs of the rental transaction itself.

We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or incidental losses including missed flights at Funchal Airport, lost holiday time, accommodation costs, or any other expenses arising from vehicle breakdown, delay, or termination of the rental agreement as a result of a breach of these terms by the renter.

In the event of a mechanical fault or breakdown that is not attributable to driver misuse, we will make every reasonable effort to provide a replacement vehicle or arrange roadside assistance. Our liability in such circumstances is limited to the provision of a comparable replacement vehicle or a pro-rata refund of the unused rental period.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraudulent misrepresentation, to the extent that such limitation is prohibited by law.

8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Portugal, including applicable European Union regulations. Any dispute arising from or in connection with a booking made through madeirarentalcar.com shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Funchal Judicial District, Madeira, Portugal, unless mandatory consumer protection provisions in your country of residence require otherwise.

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a competent court, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. A failure to enforce any particular provision does not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future.

These terms were last reviewed and updated in 2025. We recommend checking this page periodically as we may update our terms in response to changes in Portuguese rental regulations, European Union consumer law, or operational policy.

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service or need to discuss a specific booking or claim, please contact us using the details below. Our team is based in Funchal and familiar with local rental conditions across Madeira.

• Email: info@madeirarentalcar.com
• Phone: +1 (966) 261-3435
• Address: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

We aim to respond to all written enquiries within one business day. For urgent matters relating to an active rental - including breakdowns or accidents on Madeira roads - please call us directly so we can arrange immediate assistance.