A rental car breakdown in a foreign country can be stressful, but knowing the right steps to take will help you handle the situation calmly and efficiently. European rental companies have roadside assistance programmes, and EU regulations require certain safety equipment in your vehicle. Here is your complete guide to dealing with a breakdown abroad.
Compare top providers and find the best deal for your trip.
Join smart travelers getting weekly car rental tips and deals — free.
Every major rental company provides a 24/7 roadside assistance number. This is your first call. The number is typically found on:
The rental company will either send their own recovery service or connect you with a local partner. Do not arrange your own tow truck unless the rental company explicitly tells you to — unauthorised recovery can void your coverage and leave you paying the full cost.
If there is a safety risk or injury, call 112 — the EU-wide emergency number. It works in all 27 EU member states plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland. Operators typically speak English.
On many European motorways, orange SOS phones are placed every 2 km. These connect directly to the motorway operator, who can dispatch assistance. Arrows on road markers point to the nearest phone.
Most rental agreements include basic roadside assistance for mechanical failures. This usually covers:
What is not typically covered:
If the car cannot be repaired quickly, the rental company should provide a replacement vehicle. However, this depends on availability and your location. In remote areas, it may take several hours. If you are on a road trip, consider whether your rental agreement includes breakdown replacement cover — budget rentals often do not include this automatically.
Be aware that breakdown equipment requirements vary by country. Most European countries require a warning triangle and high-vis vest at minimum. Some countries also require:
Your rental car should be equipped with the legally required items for the country of registration, but always verify at pickup.
After dealing with the immediate breakdown, make sure you:
This documentation is essential if you need to make an insurance claim or dispute charges later.
Bookmark this guide and check back before your trip — car rental prices and policies change frequently.
Find the best deal from top providers across Europe.
Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
For mechanical failures (not caused by driver error), roadside assistance is typically included in your rental agreement at no extra cost. However, some budget rental companies charge for callouts, so check your agreement. Breakdowns caused by negligence, such as misfuelling, are usually charged to the driver.
Most major rental companies provide Europe-wide roadside assistance. Call the same assistance number on your rental agreement. If the car needs to be repaired locally, the rental company will coordinate with a local partner. Cross-border breakdowns may take longer to resolve due to logistics.
Most modern European rental cars do not carry a full spare tyre. Instead, they have a tyre repair kit (sealant and compressor) or a space-saver spare. If you get a puncture that the repair kit cannot fix, you will need to call roadside assistance for a tow or tyre replacement.
Do NOT start the engine. If you have already started it, turn it off immediately and do not attempt to drive. Call the rental company's roadside assistance number. Misfuelling is considered driver negligence, so you will likely be responsible for the repair costs. This is one reason excess waiver insurance is valuable.
Yes, 112 is completely free to call from any phone in any EU country, including from mobile phones without a SIM card. The service is available 24/7 and operators can typically handle calls in multiple languages, including English.
Response times vary significantly by location. On major motorways in Western Europe (France, Germany, UK), expect assistance within 30-60 minutes. In rural areas, it can take 1-3 hours. In remote regions of Scandinavia, Iceland, or Eastern Europe, waits of 3-5 hours are possible. Major rental companies like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar have contracts with local recovery services in most European countries, which generally provides faster response than budget operators.
For mechanical failures not caused by driver error, most major rental companies will provide a replacement vehicle. However, availability depends on your location and fleet capacity. In city centres, a replacement can arrive within 2-4 hours. In remote areas, it may take until the next business day. Budget rentals often do not include automatic replacement — check your rental agreement for specific terms. If stranded overnight, keep receipts for hotel and taxi expenses to claim reimbursement.
Find the 24/7 roadside assistance number on your rental agreement or key fob immediately at pickup and save it as a phone contact. In a breakdown situation, you may be stressed, cold, or in poor light — searching through paperwork on a dark motorway shoulder is the last thing you want to do. Also save 112 (EU emergency number) as a backup contact.
undefined
Do not leave safety equipment buried under luggage in the boot. In most European countries, you are legally required to put on a reflective vest before exiting a broken-down vehicle and place a warning triangle 50-150 metres behind the car. Keep both items in the passenger compartment, not under suitcases in the trunk. Fines for non-compliance range from 14 euros in Germany to 2,000 euros in Spain.
undefined
Calling an independent tow service without the rental company's explicit approval can void your roadside assistance coverage and leave you paying the full towing cost (200-500 euros). Always call the rental company first, even if it means waiting longer. The only exception is a genuine safety emergency where 112 should be called immediately.
undefined
Country-by-country driving requirements, packing list, and emergency contacts — all in one PDF.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.