SIXT's standard fuel rule is full-to-full: you pick up the vehicle with a full tank (or a full battery for electric vehicles) and return it fully refuelled or fully charged. If returned below full, SIXT refuels or recharges the vehicle and charges for the fuel or electricity plus a service fee. The prepaid fuel and charging service is an optional alternative.
How it works
Pick up the vehicle with a full tank or fully charged battery
Drive as normal
Refuel or fully recharge at any gas station or charging point before return
Keep the receipt — useful if any queries arise
When returned below full
SIXT will refuel or recharge the vehicle and charge for the fuel or electricity plus a service fee on your final invoice. Prices per gallon or kWh are displayed at the branch and stated in your rental agreement.
Prepaid fuel and charging
Pay for a full tank or a full charge in advance at a fixed SIXT price and return the vehicle at any level.
Benefits:
No last-minute stop at a gas station or charging point before return
Return the vehicle at any fuel or charge level
Fixed price known in advance — no surprises
No receipt required at return
Tip: The prepaid option is especially worthwhile for longer rentals or when you expect to return the vehicle nearly empty.
Next step
Add the prepaid fuel or charging service to your booking on the SIXT website or in the SIXT app.
Still need help? Find our contact options below.
Refuel the vehicle straight away and send us the fuel receipt along with your bank's country. Once we have received and reviewed the receipt, we'll send you a refund link where you can enter your bank details for reimbursement.
How the refund works
Refuel the vehicle fully at a gas station
Send the fuel receipt to SIXT via WhatsApp, Live Chat or email — include the country of your bank and your rental agreement number
Once we have received and reviewed the receipt, you'll receive a personal refund link by email
Enter your bank details in the refund link
The amount is refunded to your bank account once your details are received
What the fuel receipt must include
Date and time of refuelling
Fuel quantity in litres or charge in kWh
Total amount and name/address of the gas station
Tip: Take a photo of the receipt straight after refuelling and keep the original until the refund is completed.
Processing time
After your bank details are received via the refund link, the credit usually takes 5–10 business days depending on your bank.
Next step
Send the fuel receipt and your bank's country to SIXT via WhatsApp or Live Chat.
Still need help? Find our contact options below — please have your rental agreement number ready.
Always use the fuel type indicated on the sticker on the fuel cap or filler door of your SIXT rental car. This ensures you use the correct fuel regardless of which country you are driving in.
How to identify the correct fuel
The sticker on the fuel cap or filler door shows the fuel type for your rental car
Across the EU, standardised fuel symbols are displayed at every pump:
Circle = Petrol (E5, E10, E85)
Square = Diesel (B7, B10, XTL)
Diamond = Gaseous fuels (LPG, CNG, H2)
If the symbol on the pump matches the one on your fuel cap, it is the correct fuel
Common fuel types by country
Country | Standard Petrol | Premium Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
Germany | Super 95 (E5/E10) | Super Plus 98 | Diesel (B7) |
Austria | Super 95 (E5/E10) | Super Plus 98 | Diesel (B7) |
Switzerland | Bleifrei 95 (E5/E10) | Bleifrei 98 | Diesel |
United Kingdom | Unleaded 95 (E10) | Super Unleaded 97/98 (E5) | Diesel (B7) |
France | SP95 / SP95-E10 | SP98 | Gazole (B7) |
Spain | Gasolina 95 (E5/E10) | Gasolina 98 | Gasóleo A (B7) |
Italy | Benzina 95 (E5/E10) | Benzina 98 | Gasolio (B7) |
Belgium | Essence/Benzine 95 (E10) | Essence/Benzine 98 (E5) | Diesel/Gasoil (B7) |
Netherlands | Euro 95 (E10) | Super 98 (E5) | Diesel (B7) |
USA | Regular (87 AKI) | Premium (91–93 AKI) | Diesel |
Note: In the USA, octane is measured by AKI, not the RON rating used in Europe. US Regular (87) is roughly equivalent to EU 91, and US Premium (91–93) is roughly equivalent to EU 95–98.
Good to know
Electric vehicles: find charging points via the vehicle's navigation system or a charging app
Unsure? Contact SIXT Roadside Assistance or use Live Chat rather than refuel on a guess
Wrong fuel? Do not start the engine — contact SIXT Roadside Assistance immediately
Still need help? Find our contact options below.
Yes — pets are welcome in SIXT rental vehicles, provided they are properly secured, kept under control at all times and the vehicle is returned in a clean condition. A cleaning fee may apply in case of heavy soiling.
Securing your pet
Pets must be secured at all times — e.g. in a transport crate, with a harness or using a boot divider — to prevent driver distraction or injury to the animal.
Protecting the interior
Just use a protective blanket or seat cover
Always remove all pet hair and coarse dirt before returning the vehicle
Resulting cleaning fees may apply in case of heavy soiling
Always ensure the vehicle is returned clean to avoid additional charges
Travelling abroad with a pet
Bringing pets across borders is subject to country-specific regulations (e.g. pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination) — please check the relevant requirements before travelling.
Next step
Book a pet-friendly vehicle on the SIXT website or in the SIXT app.
Still need help? Find our contact options below.
A strict no-smoking policy applies in all SIXT rental vehicles so that our cars stay fresh and clean for every customer. If a vehicle is returned smelling of smoke, a special cleaning fee is charged as the vehicle must be taken out of the fleet for an extended period.
What counts as smoking in the vehicle
The no-smoking policy covers anything that produces smoke or vapour inside the vehicle:
Cigarettes, cigars and pipes
E-cigarettes, vapes and similar vaporisers
Heated and cold tobacco devices (e.g. IQOS, Glo)
Why we have a no-smoking policy
Smoke and vapour residues cling to the interior and are clearly noticeable to subsequent customers. The specialist cleaning required takes considerably longer, during which the vehicle is unavailable for rental.
What is permitted
Smoking outside the vehicle is of course fine — please ensure that ash, cigarette ends and vape residue do not enter the interior.
Did the vehicle smell of smoke at pick-up?
Please report this to the SIXT staff member at the branch before driving off — we will offer you an alternative vehicle.
Still need help? Find our contact options below.
You can charge your SIXT electric rental car at any public charging station. Find and pay for charging via common charging apps or directly at the charging point — electricity costs during your rental are your responsibility.
How to find a charging point and charge
Find a charging point via the vehicle's navigation system or a charging app
Charge and pay — depending on the provider, directly at the point, via app or with the network's charging card
Keep your receipts as proof of your charging sessions
Electricity costs
Charging costs during the rental period are the responsibility of the renter
Tip: With the prepaid charging option, you pay for a full charge in advance at a fixed SIXT price and can return the vehicle at any charge level.
Charge level at return
Return the vehicle with the charge level agreed at pick-up (usually full / 100%). If the level is lower, a service fee applies — unless you have booked the prepaid charging option
Help on the road
Finding charging points: use the vehicle's navigation system or a charging app
Charging issues: try a different cable or charging point. If the problem persists, contact SIXT Roadside Assistance (number on your rental agreement)
Empty battery on the road: pull over safely, switch on hazard lights and contact SIXT Roadside Assistance — do not push or tow the vehicle yourself as this can damage the drivetrain
Tip: Use route planning in your vehicle or a charging app to plan charging stops before setting off.
Still need help? Find our contact options below.