Terms & Conditions

REVISED & UPDATED: 17.01.2026 at 10.00AM

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully, before using the expresscarrental.pt website (the “Service”), operated by ETM - Express Tours & Management Services, Unip Lda, trading as EXPRESS CAR RENTAL.

Your access, and use of the Service, is conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these Terms. These Terms apply to all visitors, users and others who access or use the service.

By accessing or using the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms.

 1. Domain ownership www.expresscarrental.pt

The website www.expresscarrental.pt is registered and owned by the company ETM, under the NIF 510 870 813, the entity responsible for www.expresscarrental.pt

For any clarification you can contact the EXPRESS CAR RENTAL Customer Service:

  • Email: booking@expresscarrental.pt, booking.expresscarrental@gmail.com

2. General Rental Conditions

ETM hereby rents to the Lessee the vehicle described in this agreement, subject to the following Terms and Conditions, which the Lessee acknowledges having read, understood, and accepted in full.

1) The Lessee confirms that the vehicle was received in perfect working and cosmetic condition.

2) The vehicle shall be driven exclusively by the Lessee and shall not be used:

A. For the transportation of goods in violation of customs regulations or for any illegal purpose;
B. For the transportation of goods or passengers in exchange for any remuneration or compensation, whether direct or indirect;
C. To tow or push any vehicle or trailer, or to participate in sporting or competitive events;
D. By any person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics;
E. To modify, replace, or alter any mechanical or aesthetic component of the vehicle in any manner;
F. In any way that may cause damage to any component of the vehicle.

3) The minimum age of the driver is 21 years. The driver must hold a driving licence valid in Portugal for a minimum period of one (1) year.

4) The vehicle is supplied with: a company identification sticker (EXPRESS CAR RENTAL) affixed to the rear window, warning triangle, sealed odometer, standard tool kit, spare wheel or equivalent system, vehicle handbook, registration document or U.S.A. Green Insurance Card, and inspection form.

A. In the event of total or partial loss or damage to vehicle documentation, accessories, or keys caused by the Lessee, the Lessee may be required to compensate the Rental Company for all resulting costs, including replacement documentation, administrative fees, and replacement parts.

5) Rental prices do not include fuel, washing, traffic fines, towing to the original rental station in the event of an accident, or collision damage costs. The Lessee is responsible for maintaining the vehicle throughout the rental period, including checking oil, coolant, fuel levels, and tyre pressure.

Excessive dirt (interior or exterior) will incur a cleaning fee of €50.
For traffic fines, an administrative fee of €5 applies to fines up to €7, and €10 applies to fines exceeding €7, in addition to the fine amount.

6) Prices include reimbursable maintenance expenses paid by the Lessee, provided these are supported by receipts issued in the name of ETM. Expenses exceeding €15.00 require prior authorisation from the Rental Company to be reimbursed.

7) Website prices include basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). Under CDW, a refundable deposit of €1,500.00 is required (less bank transaction fees). In the event of any damage or accident, whether minor or major, the Lessee forfeits the entire deposit.

Alternatively, the Lessee may opt for Premium Insurance Cover (SCDW), which requires no deposit.

SCDW does not cover damages resulting from:

  • Speeding

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

  • Driving off public tarmac roads or off-road

  • Traffic violations

  • Acts of vandalism

  • Breach of contract

  • Negligence or reckless driving

In such cases, the Lessee bears full repair costs.

Under normal circumstances, SCDW applies an excess of:

  • €100 for Groups A-B-C vehicles

  • €200 for Group D and above

IMPORTANT: In cases of reckless, careless, or irresponsible driving, neither CDW nor SCDW applies. The Lessee shall be liable for full repair costs, loss of use, and related damages. ETM is not obliged to provide a replacement vehicle or refund unused rental days.

Additional exclusions and penalties (regardless of CDW or SCDW):

  • Wrong fuel: €300

  • Loss of documents or fuel card: €150

  • Loss of keys: €300

  • Electric vehicle fully discharged: €300

  • Damage to charging cables: €500

  • Engine/Gearbox/Clutch damage (not insured): minimum €1,200 + VAT

  • Battery damage due to excessive night usage (camping/sleeping): €300 + €85 roadside assistance

  • Excessive interior dirt: €50

Key replacement costs:

  • Fiat Panda/500/500C/Punto: €350

  • Renault Clio / Opel Corsa / Dacia / VW Polo / Seat Ibiza / Citroën / Peugeot 208: €500

8) The rental ends on the date and time agreed. Extensions must be authorised in person at an EXPRESS CAR RENTAL office at least 24 hours prior to contract expiry.

Failure to obtain authorisation constitutes unauthorised use and is punishable by law, incurring a penalty of €75, plus daily rental and insurance charges. Any delay exceeding 1 hour beyond the agreed return time incurs the same charges, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9) In the event of breach of contract, ETM may immediately terminate the agreement without notice and repossess the vehicle from any location. The Lessee shall indemnify ETM for all associated costs and damages.

10) The estimated rental cost must be paid at the start of the rental, based on daily rate plus either 100 km/day or unlimited mileage. A refundable security deposit equivalent to the insurance excess is also required.

11) In the event of an accident, the Lessee agrees to protect the interests of ETM and its insurers by:

A. Obtaining names and addresses of all parties and witnesses;
B. Not admitting liability;
C. Not abandoning the vehicle without securing it;
D. Immediately notifying the police.

12) Any accident, loss, damage, or theft must be reported to the police and EXPRESS CAR RENTAL within 24 hours. The Lessee must complete the accident declaration form in full. Failure to comply renders CDW and SCDW insurance null and void.

13) Any amendments to this agreement are invalid unless made in writing and signed by both parties.

14) This contract is governed by the laws of the country where it is executed. Jurisdiction for disputes lies with the Judicial Court of the District of Funchal, unless manifest inconvenience to one party is proven.

15) ETM is not responsible for accidents not reported to the police. CDW and SCDW do not cover tyres, windows, locks, mirrors, convertible roofs, speeding-related accidents, or damage caused by alcohol or drugs.

16) The Lessee authorises ETM to store and process personal data for contractual, administrative, statistical, marketing, and credit control purposes. Data may be disclosed to third parties solely to recover losses arising from contract breach.

17) ETM is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property left in or carried within the vehicle.

18) The vehicle must be returned with the same fuel level as at delivery. A charge of €25 per ¼ tank will apply for missing fuel.

19) Early vehicle return does not entitle the Lessee to any refund. Website reservation withdrawals and in-store cancellations are non-refundable.

20) Payments are accepted exclusively by debit or credit card. Cash payments are not accepted, except in exceptional circumstances. Deposits are not accepted via American Express.

21) Roadside assistance is provided, except in cases of Lessee negligence (e.g. key loss, flat battery due to lights left on, wrong fuel, off-road immobilisation). In such cases, a €100 assistance fee applies and is not covered by insurance.

22) This contract governs the reservation only in cases where ETM provided all mandatory information in advance, on paper or other durable medium, prior to execution.

23) Data Protection: Personal data is processed in accordance with GDPR and Portuguese Law no. 58/2019 of 8 August. The Lessee may exercise data rights by registered mail to EXPRESS CAR RENTAL, Vivenda Freitas, Sítio da Quinta Lote 10, Estrada do Cristo Rei, Garajau, 9125-057 Santa Cruz, Madeira, or via email at booking@expresscarrental.pt.

24) Vehicle Pricing: All vehicle prices displayed on www.expresscarrental.pt include 22% VAT. SCDW insurance is charged separately. Prices may change seasonally without prior notice.

25) Insurance Pricing:

  • CDW: €10/day (Includes in the vehicle booking)

  • SCDW: €20/day

Insurance charges are invoiced separately and are VAT-exempt under Article 9 of the Portuguese VAT Code. Prices may change seasonally without prior notice.

Unlike Brokers, we don’t lock your money – no deposit, no credit card required, just pay with normal debit card or cash (see terms).

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