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Renting a Car in Bulgaria Without a Credit Card
No credit card? You still have options! In this article we'll explore your options if you don't have a credit card for the rental deposit.
By Konstantin Dolgushin · November 2026
The short answer
You can solve the credit card requirement via several options: find debit card & cash deposit offers or exclude the deposit altogether by adding full protection coverage. Read this article to compare the cost of each approach and choose what is most convenient for your specific case.
Each option has its pros and cons - see what works best for your trip.
Can you rent a car in Bulgaria without a credit card?
Hi, my name is Konstantin and I am a frequent traveller like yourself. Many times I have caught myself looking for a rental car during a trip and trying to find how to rent a car that I like without a credit card.
There may be many reasons why you don't want to use a credit card for the deposit (including simply not having one). Luckily, there are a few options to get a rental car in Bulgaria without a credit card.
Rental payment and security deposit: check both
First of all, let's discuss what payments are required when renting a car. An online rental payment with a debit card does not guarantee that the car rental provider will accept the credit card for the remaining payments when you arrive onsite.
Rental payment
A rental payment is the cost of your rental car. It may include:
- The price of the car (number of days x daily rate)
- Any fees or charges (location fees, out of hours fees, one way rental, young & senior driver fees, etc.)
- Optional extras (child seat, GPS, additional drivers, etc.)
- Additional insurance
All of the above can be paid upfront in full, partially, or when you arrive to pick up the car in some cases. Supported on-site payment method could include debit cards or cash but this does not guarantee that the deposit could be paid with the same method.
Security deposit
The security deposit is an amount you leave when collecting your car. It gives the rental company a guarantee against costs such as damage, missing fuel or late return. It’s separate from the rental price and is released or refunded after the rental, provided there are no charges to deduct.
Many suppliers require a credit card in the main driver’s name so they can temporarily block the deposit amount. This is called a pre-authorisation: the money isn’t taken as a payment, but it reduces your available credit until the hold is released.
“No credit card” does not always mean “no deposit”
These are two different conditions and even if a supplier accepts bookings without a credit card, there may still be a deposit required to rent the car. Compare the conditions carefully to ensure that you make the right choice for your trip.
Deposit options without a credit card
Right, with that out of the way - let's discuss your options without a credit card:
Cash or debit card deposits
Some rental providers allow to leave the deposit in cash or via a debit card. You can filter these payment methods during search to narrow down results just to these options.
Pros:
- Credit card not required
- Typically similar rental price as other offers
Cons:
- Debit/cash options may involve higher deposits or required protection
- You may need to withdraw cash from an ATM
Full protection coverage
This method may reduce or remove the deposit from the rental which inherently means that you may not need any credit cards since there will be no deposit payments needed.
Pros:
- Credit card not required
- Lower financial exposure for covered damage
Cons:
- May cost much more than initially budgeted
- Not all suppliers eliminate the deposit fully with coverage
It's important to note that while both of these approaches can reliably remove the need to bring a credit card for the rental, you need to make sure that you check the rental terms carefully before assuming that the full coverage or debit card deposit will guarantee that no credit card will be needed on arrival.
Some rental providers use credit cards issued in the name of the driver as additional form of identification & due diligence performed during the rental contract preparation.
No deposit options
You may also find offers where no security deposit is required, without having to purchase extra protection separately. This depends on the supplier and the specific offer, so check what’s included in the rental price.
Before booking, make sure “no deposit” also means no separate fuel or administrative deposit. And remember: no deposit doesn’t automatically mean zero excess or no credit card requirement. Check these conditions separately to avoid surprises at collection.
Which rental companies offer suitable options?
The following rental companies that operate through the Get My Rides platform "no credit card" options.
Low Cost Cars
Top Protection allows to rent with a debit card and also lowers the required deposit by 75%. Nationwide.
Uni Car Rent
Debit cards or cash deposits accepted, except luxury vehicles. Nationwide.
DL Rent
Debit-card deposits, cash for certain vehicles with prior approval. Sofia, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora.
Varna Rent a Car
Cash deposits accepted. Deposit doubles for young drivers or cross-border use. Varna.
Green Rent a Car
Physical debit cards accepted (excluding Revolut) and cash (double deposit amount).
PM Rent
PM PREMIUM reduces the standard deposit to €0, with zero excess for covered events. Additional deposits can apply based on driver age or cross-border rentals. Varna.
Ride Rent a Car
Debit-cards accepted for the deposit. Varna.
Team Auto Rent
Debit-cards accepted for the deposit. Sofia.
Does extra protection change the requirements?
How to find a suitable offer on Get My Rides
You can compare all rental conditions in one place with Get My Rides. To find offers with your desired deposit method:
- Select your locations and dates
- Navigate to the "Deposit & payment" filter
- Select "no deposit", "debit card", or "cash deposit"
- Compare the options including other rental terms
- Validate the supplier rental terms on the checkout page before booking
Find rental cars without a credit card
See available offers in Bulgaria with debit card & cash deposits. Select your city and dates to see prices.
What to check before collection
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car every day in Varna in summer?
Not for the central stay described here. Several days focus on walking, sightseeing and a nearby beach. A car becomes more useful when you head beyond the city or stay somewhere with fewer convenient transport options.
Is three days enough for the surrounding sights?
Three days allows separate outings to Balchik, Kaliakra, and Aladzha Monastery with Golden Sands. It is a suggested pace, not a requirement. Choose fewer stops if you would prefer more beach time.
Is renting for three days always cheaper than renting for seven?
No. Rental rates can change with duration, and a short rental may require transfers that a full-week rental avoids. Compare total costs using separate quotes rather than multiplying one daily rate.
Does this itinerary work in winter?
Some sights can still be visited, but the beach-focused schedule, daylight and transport assumptions are for summer. Check seasonal opening hours and build a different itinerary for a winter trip.