Car rental in North Macedonia starts at €22 per day in low season — among the lowest rates in southeast Europe. Mid-season averages run €30–50 per day for compact cars, with larger vehicles (SUVs, vans) starting around €60. VAT is included. This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay for what kind of car, what's extra, and how the seasonal pricing calendar works.
The Headline Rate: From €22/day
The cheapest seasonal rate at Relax Rent a Car is €22 per day for a Mini-class vehicle (e.g. Hyundai i10) during the low season weeks of mid-November through mid-March. This is the calendar floor rate — the lowest single-day rate possible.
Mid-season (April–May, October–early November) the same Mini class typically runs €28–35/day.
Peak summer (mid-June to mid-September) the same vehicle is €35–45/day.
Weekly and weekend rates are calculated from the daily calendar — there's no flat "weekly discount" applied. Instead, the calendar itself shows lower per-day rates as the rental length grows.
Pricing by Vehicle Category
The fleet covers nine pricing categories. Approximate mid-season daily rates as a reference:
| Category | Example Vehicle | Daily (mid-season) |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | Hyundai i10 | €30–40 |
| Economy | Renault Clio | €35–45 |
| Compact | Renault Megane | €40–50 |
| Economy Auto | Hyundai i20 automatic | €45–55 |
| Auto Compact | Hyundai i30 automatic | €50–65 |
| Rifter (5-seat MPV) | Peugeot Rifter | €50–65 |
| Jogger (7-seat) | Dacia Jogger | €55–70 |
| Duster (SUV) | Dacia Duster | €60–80 |
| Diesel | Dacia Duster diesel | €65–85 |
In low season, deduct 20–25% from these figures. In peak summer, add 15–20%.
These rates are VAT-included (18% VAT is already built in — nothing is added at checkout). They are the rates customers actually pay.
For a 7-seater specifically, see 7-seater van rental in North Macedonia. For SUV options, see SUV and 4x4 rental.
Why "From €22/day" Is the Calendar Minimum
Some sites quote a much higher "from" rate. Our €22/day quote reflects the lowest D1 rate in the active pricing calendar — the floor rate during the slowest week of the year. It's a real, bookable rate, not a marketing fiction.
Catalog rates shown on individual vehicle cards (e.g., "from €50/day" on a specific Duster page) reflect the mid-season default for that exact vehicle — a higher reference number more typical of what a summer customer would pay. Both numbers are accurate; they describe different scenarios.
For more on how the pricing engine works, see pay on arrival booking with confirmed pricing.
Insurance Costs
Insurance is not the same as the rental rate — it's added on top.
Basic CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)
€7 per day. Reduces the renter's liability for damage from the deposit value down to a €200 excess. CDW is included in the rental rate by default in some markets but charged separately here for transparency.
Full Insurance (Zero Excess)
€15 per day. Reduces the excess to €0 — you pay nothing if there's damage to the vehicle. This is the recommended choice for cross-border trips, mountain driving, and city rentals where parking damage is common.
For full coverage details see car rental insurance North Macedonia and rental car damage process.
Cross-Border Insurance — Green Card
Cross-border driving requires Green Card cover, sold per rental (not per day):
- Zone 1 (€50 per rental) — Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo
- Zone 2 (€70 per rental) — Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, plus all Zone 1 countries
For the full cross-border procedure see cross-border driving from North Macedonia.
Pickup and Drop-off Fees
Locations are billed separately on each leg (pickup and drop-off):
- Skopje city centre office: €0
- Skopje Airport (SKP): €10 per leg
- Ohrid Airport (OHD): €15 per leg
- Customer's hotel in Skopje: €5 per leg
- One-way drop-off Skopje → Ohrid: €25 per leg
A round trip Skopje Airport → Skopje Airport is €20 total (€10 each way). A one-way Skopje Airport → Ohrid is €10 + €15 = €25 total.
For the airport pickup procedure see picking up rental car at Skopje Airport.
Extras
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Child seat (Group 1, 9 months–4 years) | €2/day |
| Booster seat (4–10 years) | €2/day |
| GPS navigation | €3/day |
| Additional driver | €2/day |
| Wi-Fi hotspot | €3/day |
Extras can be added at any time before pickup. Most are optional and only paid if used — for example, child seats are not charged unless requested.
Deposit
The deposit is €0 cash. Relax Rent a Car operates on a pay-on-arrival model — you pay the rental and any selected extras at the time you collect the vehicle. There is no credit-card hold or pre-authorization charge.
This is unusual in international car rental, where deposits of €500–1,000 are common. See zero deposit car rental Macedonia for the full explanation.
Fuel Costs
Fuel in North Macedonia (April 2026 reference):
- Petrol 95: ~€1.25/litre
- Diesel: ~€1.20/litre
A compact car typically averages 6 litres/100 km in mixed driving, so 100 km costs roughly €7 in fuel. The Skopje–Ohrid round trip (340 km) costs about €25 in fuel for a small petrol vehicle, €18–22 for a diesel.
Vehicles are rented and returned with the same fuel level (typically full).
Total Cost Examples
Example 1: 3-day weekend trip, compact car, no cross-border
- Mid-season Compact daily rate: €45 × 3 = €135
- Skopje Airport pickup + drop-off: €20
- CDW insurance: €7 × 3 = €21
- Total: €176 (no extras)
Example 2: 7-day summer trip, automatic SUV, Greece included
- Peak summer Auto Compact daily rate: €65 × 7 = €455
- Skopje Airport pickup + drop-off: €20
- Full insurance: €15 × 7 = €105
- Green Card Zone 1: €50
- Child seat: €2 × 7 = €14
- Total: €644
Example 3: 30-day long-stay, monthly rate, Mini class, mid-season
- Long-stay rate (per monthly car rental Skopje guide): roughly €700–900 depending on the vehicle and season
- Total: €700–900 (insurance and pickup typically included or discounted in monthly arrangements)
How to Book
Reservations are made via the main booking page on the website. Steps:
- Enter pickup location, drop-off location, and dates
- Pick the vehicle that matches your needs
- Add extras (child seat, GPS, additional driver, etc.)
- Confirm contact details
- Receive instant confirmation email
There's no payment at booking — you pay on arrival when you collect the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest car rental in North Macedonia? Mini-class vehicles (Hyundai i10 or equivalent) starting at €22/day during low season (mid-November to mid-March). Mid-season average €30–40/day. All rates include 18% VAT.
Are there hidden fees in North Macedonia car rental? No. The price you see at booking includes VAT and is the price you pay on arrival. Optional extras (insurance upgrades, child seats, GPS, cross-border insurance) are quoted separately and only added if chosen. There are no fuel surcharges, cleaning fees, or "facility fees."
Why is car rental cheaper in North Macedonia than other countries? Three reasons: lower base costs (fuel, salaries, insurance), no airport monopoly fees that inflate rental in larger European hubs, and a competitive local market that keeps small operators sharp. Quality is comparable to Greek and Bulgarian rentals at 30–50% lower price points.
Do I need to pay a deposit? No. Relax Rent a Car operates pay-on-arrival with €0 cash deposit. There's no credit-card hold or pre-authorization charge — unique compared to international chains.
How is weekly pricing calculated? The pricing calendar already discounts longer rentals through lower per-day rates as the rental length grows. There's no separate "weekly discount" added on top — the calendar shows the actual price you'll pay per day, summed across the rental.
