Quick Answer
You can book a rental car in North Macedonia without paying any online deposit when you book direct on this site. No credit card hold, no upfront payment, no €500–800 security freeze that international chains apply. You pay on arrival in EUR or MKD, in cash or by card. The only thing we ask online is your booking details so we know which vehicle to prepare. This is a deliberate policy choice — and it's why most local Macedonian and Albanian customers choose us over the international chains at Skopje Airport.
What "no deposit" actually means
Three different payment models exist in car rental, and the words get used interchangeably. They're not the same:
| Model | Online | At pickup | At return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-paid full (major international chains) | Pay full rental + €500–800 hold | Hold released | Charges reconciled |
| Deposit + balance (most local rentals) | €100–200 booking deposit | Pay balance | None |
| Pay on arrival (this site) | €0 | Full payment | None |
When we say "no deposit", we mean the third row — your card isn't charged at all until you walk into the office or meet the driver at Skopje Airport. If you cancel a week before pickup, your card never sees a single transaction.
Why we offer this
Three reasons, in order:
- Travel uncertainty — flight cancellations, schedule changes, weather. A €600 hold released "in 7–14 business days" is a real cash-flow problem for many travelers
- Trust — we've operated since 2001 with the same family team. Customers who walk in already know the cars, the contract, and the price. There's no need to lock them in financially upfront
- Border-region currency mix — many of our customers arrive from Türkiye, Albania, Kosovo, Bulgaria. Card holds in EUR can carry FX surcharges from issuing banks. Cash on arrival sidesteps all of that
What you commit to when you book online
The online booking is a reservation, not a contract. By submitting it you tell us:
- Which vehicle category you want
- Pickup and drop-off date/time
- Pickup and drop-off location
- Your contact details (email + phone) so we can confirm
We respond within a few hours (usually under 30 min in working hours) confirming the vehicle is held for you. From that point until pickup, you can cancel free at any time — no email needed, just don't show up. (We'd appreciate a heads-up so we can release the car for another customer, but no penalty applies.)
What you bring at pickup
For a smooth handover at Skopje Airport or our city office:
- Valid driving licence — held at least 1 year, minimum age 18 (under-25 may pay a small young-driver surcharge — see our insurance guide for details)
- Passport or EU ID card
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — recommended for non-EU residents, not strictly required for most EU/Türkiye/UK licences
- Payment — EUR cash, MKD cash, or card (Visa/Mastercard)
If you've reserved a 7-seat van or a 4x4 SUV, bring child seats only if you ordered them as extras (€2/day each).
Cross-border crossings without a deposit
The same no-deposit policy applies if you're driving across borders. We add a Green Card insurance certificate at pickup:
- Zone 1 (Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria): €50 per rental
- Zone 2 (Zone 1 + Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia): €70 per rental
That's a one-off paid at pickup, not an ongoing deposit hold. See our North Macedonia border crossing guide for the full document checklist.
The catch (there isn't really one)
Most reasonable customer questions:
"What if I damage the car?" — We have CDW (Collision Damage Waiver, €200 excess) at €7/day, or full insurance with zero excess at €15/day. If you don't take either, you're liable for damage up to the vehicle value. Most customers take CDW. See our damage process guide for what happens after an incident.
"What if I don't return the car?" — We have your contact details, payment card on file (we ask but don't charge), and a clear contract signed at pickup. In 25 years we've never had a customer disappear with a vehicle.
"Why doesn't everyone do this?" — Pre-payment is financial protection for the rental company, not the customer. International chains run thinner margins on each car, so the deposit hold matters more to their cash flow. Local family-run operators like us absorb that risk because trust + repeat business is the real economic model.
Comparison: us vs international chains at Skopje Airport
| Local family-run (us) | International chain | |
|---|---|---|
| Online deposit | €0 | €500–800 hold |
| Cancellation | Free, no penalty | 24-hour rule, €25–75 fee |
| At pickup | Walk-in payment | Card swipe + hold |
| Damage waiver | €7–15/day, optional | €25–35/day, often required |
| Cross-border | €50–70 add-on at pickup | Often €200–400 add-on |
| English support | Yes | Yes |
| Macedonian/Turkish/Albanian support | Yes (native) | Limited |
For the deeper analysis see Relax Rent a Car vs international chains.
Quick booking checklist
To get the no-deposit rate:
- Pick your dates and vehicle on /vehicles or use the booking form on the homepage
- Submit (no card needed)
- We confirm by email within hours
- Show up at Skopje Airport meet-and-greet, or our city office
- Pay in EUR or MKD, cash or card
- Drive
That's the whole process. From €22/day, VAT included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a local operator over major international chains?
Daily rates are €22-50 (local) vs €38-70 (chains), no €1,000-1,500 pre-authorisation hold, free airport pickup vs €15-30 chain surcharge, and direct contact with the team that owns the fleet. Chains win only if you specifically need loyalty programme points or company billing through their global system.
What's the process when I return the car?
Bring it to the agreed drop-off location at the agreed time. We check the fuel level (must match pickup), exterior condition, and interior cleanliness. Paperwork takes 5-10 minutes. If everything matches, no further charges. Any damage outside CDW excess is settled on the spot in cash or by card.
What payment methods do you accept on arrival?
Cash in EUR (preferred) or MKD denars. Card (Visa, Mastercard) with a 1.5% processing fee. Bank transfer in advance (zero fees, settled 24-72 hours before pickup). American Express and Diners Club not accepted — Yandex / PayPal not supported on rental payments either.
Is Relax Rent a Car a legitimate company?
Operating since 2001 (25 years). Registered with the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce. Holds 4.9-star Google reviews from 200+ verified customers. Address: Dame Gruev 16-2/4 B.C. Paloma Bjanka, Skopje. Phone +389 71 390 627. Tax registration and VAT number available on the rental invoice.
What if I need roadside assistance?
Call +389 71 390 627 (24/7). Common issues: dead battery (jump-start in 30-90 min), flat tyre (spare in boot, free help), running out of fuel (we deliver 5L for €15 + fuel cost). Major mechanical failure: replacement vehicle dispatched within 2 hours during business hours, longer at night.
