Renting a car in Spain should be the start of a sun-drenched adventure. But for too many visitors, the experience at the airport rental desk ends in a dispute that sours the entire holiday. You arrive at the desk having booked a great deal online which included basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). The agent then informs you that your excess—the amount you're liable for in case of damage—is an eye-watering €1,500 to €2,500. They then apply heavy pressure to buy their own Super CDW (SCDW) or "full cover" policy at an inflated rate of €15–€30 per day, often doubling the cost of your rental. Your Defence: Either book with insurance-included local operators who bundle comprehensive cover into their initial quote, or purchase a standalone car hire excess insurance policy online “before you travel”. These independent policies are far cheaper (around €3–€7 per day) and provide comprehensive coverage. When the desk agent starts their pitch, calmly show them your independent policy document and refuse their expensive upsell. Many cars are now pre-fitted with an electronic toll payment device (like Bip&Drive). If you plan to drive into Barcelona's Low Emission Zone , separate registration is required via the official Barcelona ZBE portal . Agents will either gloss over this or present it as a convenience. By accepting it, you are often auto-billed a daily "gestión" (management) fee of €30–€60 for the entire rental period, “even if you never use a single toll road”. Your Defence: Be vigilant when signing the contract. Look for terms like "peaje," "telepeaje," or "toll device." State clearly and firmly at the desk: *"No quiero el dispositivo de peaje"* (I do not want the toll device). Ask them to confirm it's deactivated and make a note of this on your rental agreement. You can pay for tolls with a credit card at the barrier like everyone else. The most consumer-friendly fuel policy is "Full-to-Full" (lleno-lleno): you pick the car up full and return it full. The scam is to switch you to a "Full-to-Empty" policy. You are forced to pay upfront for a full tank of fuel at a grossly inflated price, plus a non-refundable "refuelling service charge" of €30 or more. You are then instructed to return the car as empty as possible—a near-impossible task. The company pockets the value of any fuel left in the tank. Your Defence: Insist on a "Full-to-Full" policy at the time of booking and confirm it again at the desk. Before you drive away, use your phone to take a clear, timestamped photograph of the fuel gauge and the car's odometer. Do the same when you return it after refuelling at a nearby petrol station. This is your proof. You return the car, the agent gives it a quick glance and says everything is fine. Weeks later, you discover a charge on your credit card for hundreds of euros for a scratch or dent that was already there when you picked the car up. Your Defence: For honest local alternatives, see our review of the best car rental companies in Tossa de Mar . Before leaving the rental car park, conduct a meticulous inspection: Take a slow, walk-around video of the entire car. Take at least 40 high-resolution, timestamped photos covering every single panel from multiple angles. Include the roof, all four wheels and alloys, the windscreen, headlights, and the interior. If you find “any” existing mark, however small, point it out to the agent and ensure they mark it on the vehicle condition diagram on your rental agreement “before” you sign and drive away. Immediately email the video and photos to yourself. This creates an indisputable, third-party, time-stamped record of the car's condition at pickup. If you get caught by a speed camera or incur a parking fine, you are obviously liable for the fine itself. However, many rental companies add their own punitive charge. This is a non-refundable "administration fee" of €30–€60 that they bill you simply for forwarding your details to the traffic authorities as the driver responsible. Your Defence: This fee is almost always buried deep in the terms and conditions, making it contractual and difficult to fight after the fact. The only real defence is to research and select an operator that either doesn't charge this fee or charges a more reasonable one. If you are renting from a major chain, assume this fee exists and drive with extra care. To cover their inflated insurance excess, companies will place a large "hold" on your credit card, typically between €1,200 and €2,500.