SIXT places a temporary security deposit at the start of your rental, uses PSD2 two-step verification to keep your payments secure, and lets you update your payment method in the SIXT App for future rentals — though it can't be changed once a trip has begun.
Is there a deposit?
Yes. At the start of your rental, a deposit is blocked on your payment method as security. The amount is at least $30 and depends on your expected rental cost. If you booked a package, the deposit equals the package price shown in the SIXT App at the time of reservation, plus a buffer to cover any extra time or services you add during the rental.
The deposit helps prevent your rental from being interrupted by an unexpected bank authorization decline and ensures the final invoice can be settled. Once your rental ends, the deposit is released automatically. Depending on your bank, this can take a few days. SIXT has no control over that timeline — contact your bank or card issuer if you have questions about the release.
What is PSD2?
PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2) is an EU regulation that requires two-step verification for online payments. Since 09/14/2019, a single password is no longer enough — you need two separate factors to confirm your identity, such as a password plus a fingerprint, or a PIN linked to your smartphone. Your bank decides which combination to use.
When you pay on the SIXT website or in the SIXT App, your bank may add a quick verification step to confirm your identity. This is built directly into the checkout flow and only takes a moment.
For more details, visit the SIXT payment security page.
Can I switch to invoice payment after my trip?
No — once a rental starts, SIXT bills the payment method already on file and can't switch to a different one. To update your payment method for future rentals:
- Open the SIXT App.
- Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Payment method."
- Add a new method or remove an existing one.
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