Short answer. You can rent a car in Baku with an EU licence. Germany, France, Poland and the rest follow the 1968 Vienna Convention. So does Azerbaijan, since 2002. The pink card is already in Latin letters. Bring it with your passport and your e-visa. No international permit is needed by law.
Updated 9 August 2026.
On this page
Can you rent a car in Baku with an EU licence?
Yes, every standard EU licence works in Azerbaijan. The EU card has been the same across the union since 2013.
The Vienna Convention asks for Latin letters and standard categories. Your card has both.
| Country | Joined the Vienna Convention |
|---|---|
| France | 9 December 1971 |
| Germany | 3 August 1978 |
| Poland | 23 August 1984 |
| Azerbaijan | 3 July 2002 |
Older national licences still exist in some countries. If yours is a paper booklet, bring an international permit too.
Do you need a visa?
Most EU citizens need an e-visa for Azerbaijan. You apply online through ASAN before you fly.
The e-visa form is short and usually comes back in three working days. Bring a printed copy or a screenshot.
Renting a car does not depend on your visa type. You just need to be in the country legally.
What costs less than at home?
Petrol costs 1.10 AZN a litre. An economy car starts at 25 USD a day.
| Item | Price in Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Petrol AI-92 | 1.10 AZN per litre |
| Petrol AI-95 | 1.60 AZN per litre |
| Diesel | 1.00 AZN per litre |
| Economy rental car | from 25 USD per day |
| Street parking in the centre | 1 to 2 AZN per hour |
Fuel is far below EU pump prices. Prices are set nationally, so every station charges the same.
Cheap fuel changes how a road trip feels. A 600 km week costs about 53 AZN in petrol.
What is different on the road?
Four things differ on the road: alcohol, speed limits, cameras and lane discipline. Traffic keeps right, as at home. The steering wheel is on the left.
The alcohol limit is 0.00. Germany and France allow 0.5. Azerbaijan allows nothing.
Speed limits are lower. Towns are 60 km/h. Motorways are 110 km/h. Azerbaijan has no unlimited stretch anywhere.
Cameras issue nearly all fines. Going 21 to 40 over costs 50 AZN. Going 41 to 60 over costs 200 AZN.
Lane discipline is loose in the city. Outside Baku the roads are calm and often empty.
Where do European visitors drive?
European visitors drive to Sheki, Lahij, Khinalug and Gobustan from Baku. The country is the size of Austria. Almost everything is a day trip.
- Sheki, 300 km. The khan’s palace, the old caravanserai, forested hills.
- Lahij, 190 km. A cobblestone village of coppersmiths. The last road in is narrow.
- Khinalug, 200 km. A mountain village above 2,000 metres. Steep and slow, take an SUV.
- Gobustan, 65 km. Rock carvings from the Stone Age and mud volcanoes.
An economy car is fine for main roads. Take an SUV for Khinalug or winter mountains.
Will you understand the road signs?
Yes, you will understand the road signs almost immediately. Azerbaijan follows the same sign convention as Europe.
Shapes and colours match what you know. Red circles forbid, blue circles instruct, triangles warn.
Place names appear in Azerbaijani and often in English. The alphabet is Latin, so you can read them.
One habit is worth keeping. Petrol stations thin out on mountain roads, so refuel at half a tank.
What do you need at the counter?
At the counter you need your EU licence, your passport and your e-visa.
- Your EU driving licence, the original card
- Your passport
- Your e-visa or entry stamp
- Age 19 or over, with one year of driving history
We deliver to Heydar Aliyev airport or to your hotel. Conditions are on our terms page.
What do we ask an EU driver for?
- Your national licence works for the first 30 days after you enter.
- An international permit removes that 30-day limit.
- Passport and licence are the only documents we need from you.
- Deposit 200 to 300 USD, in cash or blocked on a card.
- Minimum rental 2 days, with no mileage limit.
The list of countries in the 1968 road traffic treaty is public. The register sits with the United Nations.
We have rented cars in Baku since 2023 and run 105 cars today. The office is open 24/7 and the phone answers at night.
BookingCarBaku staff speak Azerbaijani, Russian, English and Turkish.
Common questions
Do I need an international driving permit?
No, you do not need an international driving permit with a standard EU card. Bring one for an old paper licence.
Is my EU car insurance valid here?
No, EU car insurance is not valid here. Green Card cover does not reach Azerbaijan. See our insurance guide.
Can I pay in euros?
No, you cannot pay in euros. Prices are quoted in Azerbaijani manat and dollars. Change money in town, not at the airport.
Are there manual cars?
Manual cars are very few in Azerbaijan. Almost every rental car is automatic.
Is winter driving difficult?
Baku rarely gets snow. Mountain roads to Quba and Gabala do. Take an SUV between December and March.
Can I drive to Georgia?
Driving to Georgia needs prior arrangement and extra insurance. Ask us before you book.
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will quote a price. Contact us here.
