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What happens if you return a rental car in Denmark without a full tank?

Fuel when you return the car

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Short answer

Rental cars are usually handed out with a full tank, and if you return the car with less, you pay for the missing fuel plus a refuelling charge. The company can take these costs from your deposit or your card. At Europcar Denmark the fuel price for refuelling is 30 kr. per litre including VAT, and filling the wrong fuel costs 5,500 kr., as of November 2026. The company may ask to see a fuel receipt as proof that you refuelled.

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Why

  1. Missing fuel is charged on top of a refuelling fee.
  2. The cost is often taken from the deposit.
  3. A receipt can settle a dispute about the fuel level.

Details

Note the fuel level when you return the car, for example with a photo of the fuel gauge.

Tip

Fill up at a station close to the return point and keep the receipt until the deposit is released.

What may differ

Fuel terms and refuelling fees differ between companies and are set in each rental agreement.

Common misconception

If the tank is almost full, the company will not charge you.

What actually happens

Even a small shortfall can be charged as missing fuel plus a refuelling fee.

People also ask

  • How much is the deposit for a rental car in Denmark?
  • Can you return a rental car outside opening hours?
  • Can a rental company charge you for a fine months later?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules, fines and fees can change, so check the Danish authorities before you drive.

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