Car Rental Deposits at Faro Airport (2026)

Every car rental at Faro Airport blocks a deposit on your card — the question isn’t whether, but how much and how long. When I picked up my first rental at Faro, I didn’t think twice about the deposit. Then I checked my bank account and saw a €1,200 hold that stayed there for three weeks. That was with Goldcar, and it taught me a lesson I want to save you from learning the hard way.

The deposit — technically a “pre-authorization hold” — is the single biggest source of frustration for visitors renting cars at Faro Airport. It ties up your holiday money, varies wildly between companies, and the refund timeline is often vague. After renting from five different companies across multiple trips to the Algarve, I’ve mapped out exactly what each one charges and how long they take to release it.

For our full ranking, see our Faro Airport car rental comparison.

How Deposits Work at Faro Airport

First, let’s clear up a common misconception: the deposit is not an actual charge. It is a pre-authorization hold — the rental company asks your bank to “reserve” a certain amount on your credit card. The money doesn’t leave your account, but it becomes unavailable to spend.

When you return the car undamaged and with the correct fuel level, the company releases the hold. Your bank then “unfreezes” the funds. The problem is that releasing the hold is instant on the rental company’s side, but your bank can take days or even weeks to process it. This is where the frustration comes from — you’ve returned the car, everything was fine, but your money is still locked up.

Every company at Faro requires a deposit. The amount depends on the car category, the insurance level you’ve chosen, and sometimes the rental duration. Companies with higher excess amounts on their basic insurance tend to hold more on your card, because the deposit is essentially their guarantee against damage.

One critical detail: the hold needs a credit card in the main driver’s name at the desks that publish a rule. Guerin, Sixt and AirAuto say so in their own terms. A debit card is not a workaround.

Deposit Amounts by Company

These figures are based on what I was charged across multiple rentals in 2025 and 2026, cross-referenced with each company’s current terms. Your actual hold may vary slightly depending on the specific car model and extras.

A note on MasterKings: their deposits are tiered by car group — €1,500 on economy up to €5,000 on luxury — but drop to €400–€3,000 if you add their reduced-deposit cover (€10–€35/day depending on the group). On a one-week economy rental that’s roughly €70 to cut the hold from €1,500 to €400. Factor that into any “cheap” quote comparison. Your exact deposit always depends on the vehicle group, cover level and driver profile.

The pattern is clear: Guerin’s published economy hold is €600, or €300 if you buy their excess reduction. MasterKings’ default economy hold is €1,500, and their own cover is what brings it down to €400. Goldcar’s hold is commonly €1,000–€2,500 unless you buy Super Relax, which is their product, not a third-party policy. Your bank, not the desk, decides how many days the released hold takes to reappear.

Full Coverage does not remove the deposit

DiscoverCars is explicit about this. Its Full Coverage is a reimbursement policy between you and DiscoverCars, separate from the rental contract. It does not remove or reduce the supplier’s security deposit. The desk cannot see the policy, so it still places the normal hold on a physical credit card in the main driver’s name. Eligible costs are paid to the supplier first, then claimed back.

That is not the same thing as a supplier waiver. Some companies sell their own zero-excess or reduced-deposit cover, and that product can lower the hold because it is part of their contract. MasterKings’ reduced-deposit cover, mentioned above, is one example. DiscoverCars Full Coverage is not a substitute for every one of those waivers, and buying it does not put you in the same position as someone who bought the supplier’s own cover.

What Full Coverage does do, if you choose it, is refund eligible damage and related charges after you have paid the supplier, within the limits of their policy. I have claimed once, after a stone chip, and the reimbursement arrived in about 10 days. The hold at pickup was unchanged. Bring a credit card with enough limit for the full deposit either way. The insurance guide sets the two products side by side.

What Affects Your Deposit Amount?

Not every rental carries the same deposit. Four factors determine how much the company will hold on your card:

What If They Charge the Deposit for Damage?

This is the scenario everyone dreads. You return the car, the agent finds a scratch, and suddenly your deposit — or part of it — gets converted into an actual charge. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Before you drive off: Take photos and a video of the entire car. Walk around it slowly. Capture every panel, the roof, the wheels, and the underside of the bumpers. Make sure your phone’s timestamp is visible or take a screenshot of the time immediately after. Do this in the presence of the agent if possible.

When you return: Repeat the process. Take another full set of photos before you hand over the keys. If there’s a queue, take the photos while waiting — don’t let them rush you.

If they claim damage: Ask for the damage report in writing. Compare it against your photos. If the damage was already there when you picked up the car, your timestamped photos are your proof. If it’s new damage and you have full coverage from DiscoverCars, file a claim immediately — you’ll need the damage report, your photos, and the charge receipt.

In my experience, the agents at Guerin and MasterKings are fair. They won’t charge you for normal wear. Goldcar and some other budget brands have a reputation for being more aggressive — another reason to always have third-party coverage.