Are Car Seat Rental Services Still Reliable in Spain?

Are Car Seat Rental Services Still Reliable in Spain?

If you are visiting Spain with your family soon, you might be wondering if you should bring your own child car seat or rely on rental services. Renting a car seat seems like the convenient option. You don't have to carry bulky gear through airports or worry about extra baggage charges. You can also rest easy knowing you have a ready-to-use seat waiting for you upon arrival.

Image: A photo of a woman leaning over a baby in a car seat, strapping the baby in securely and fastening the seat belt.

Car Seat Rentals in Spain

Car rental companies in Spain do offer child car seats, but there are various factors that come into play, such as the specific provider, location, and even the staff on duty. There is also no guarantee of the quality of the car seat you will receive. Some parents report receiving nearly new, spotless seats that meet EU safety standards, while others have found broken buckles, missing parts, or seats that were clearly outdated.

Another issue is availability. Even if you pre-book a car seat online, there is still a chance that the correct type of seat will not be ready when you arrive. You might be handed a booster seat instead of a rear-facing seat for an infant, which is not only unsafe but also against the law. This inconsistency is one of the biggest reasons parents hesitate to rely solely on rentals.

Safety Standards and Legal Requirements

Spain follows strict EU regulations on child car seats. Children under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint system suitable for their height and weight, and rental companies are legally obliged to provide compliant seats.

However, the problem lies in enforcement and maintenance. This means even when a seat is technically available, its safety and condition may not be ideal.

• Maintenance issues - Some rental companies don’t regularly inspect or replace damaged seats.
• Compliance gaps - While seats may have the EU “E” label, not all are the newest or safest models.
• Incorrect installations - You may not always know how to properly install different types of car seats, sometimes making it a challenge to figure it out.

Image: A photo of a baby strapped safely in a car seat, trying to reach up and push the yellow beanie he is wearing that has slipped down over his eyes, away from his face.

Pros and Cons of Renting a Car Seat in Spain

Pros

Renting has lots of advantages, especially if you don’t want the hassle of carrying your own car seat. Here are some pros:

• Convenience - This is probably one of the best advantages. You don’t need to lug a heavy seat through airports.
• Space-saving - You don't have to worry about where to put or store it all the time. Renting frees up luggage allowance.
• Flexibility - Ideal for short trips where buying or bringing a car seat seems unnecessary.

Cons

On the flip side, here are some downsides of renting:

• Unreliable quality - Seats may be old or damaged.
• Wrong size/type - Booking an infant seat and receiving a booster is more common than you would expect.
• High costs - Rental fees can be expensive, sometimes costing more than buying a new seat locally, especially if your trip is going to be long.

Conclusion 

The question of whether car seat rental services are reliable in Spain doesn't have a direct yes or no answer. While many families have had positive experiences, there are some stories of poor-quality seats, outdated equipment, or unhelpful customer service.

The truth is, it depends. Make sure you read reviews from clients or customers before trusting a car seat rental service. Ultimately, if you are still unsure, bringing your own or purchasing one locally might be the most reliable option.