23 August 2024 15 mins read
by Anna Jones

Renting a car when travelling across Europe is a fantastic way of taking in the country’s best sights at your leisure. However, it is important to be prepared for any potential issues you could face out on the road.
Knowing the right phrases in the language of the country you are visiting will come in handy if you do end up in tricky situations, and we have done the hard work for you. This page features 10 key phrases translated into the languages of the main European countries for which we provide hire car excess insurance.

Dutch – Netherlands, Belgium
Hello – Hallo
Goodbye – Afscheid
Please – Alstubieft
Thank you – Danke u
My car has broken down – Mijn auto is kapot gegaan
My car won’t start – Mijn auto wil niet starten
I have had a car accident – Ik he been auto-ongeluk gehad
My car has run out of petrol – Mijn auto heft geen benzine meer
My car has a flat tyre – Mijn auto heft een lekke band
Please send an ambulance/the police – Stuur alstublieft een ambulance/de politie

French – France, Belgium
Hello – Bonjour
Goodbye – Au reviour
Please – S’il vous plait
Thank you – Merci
My car has broken down – Ma voiture est en panne
My car won’t start – Ma voiture ne démarre pas
I have had a car accident – J’ai eu un accident de voiture
My car has run out of petrol – Ma voiture est à court d’essence
My car has a flat tyre – Ma voiture a un pneu crevé
Please send an ambulance/the police – S’il vous plait envoyez une ambulance/la police

German – Germany, Belgium
Hello – Hallo
Goodbye – Tschüss
Please – Bitte
Thank you – Danke
My car has broken down – Mein Auto ist kaputt
My car won’t start – Mein Auto spingt nicht an
I have had a car accident – Ich hatte einen Autounfall
My car has run out of petrol – Mein Auto hat kein Benzin mehr
My car has a flat tyre – Mein Auto hat einen platen Reifen
Please send an ambulance/the police – Bitte schicken Sie einen Krankenwagen/die Polizei

Italian
Hello – Ciao
Goodbye – Arrivederci
Please – Per favore
Thank you – Grazie
My car has broken down – La mia macchina è in panne
My car won’t start – La mia macchina non si avvia
I have had a car accident – Ho avuto un incidente stradale
My car has run out of petrol – La mia macchina è senza benzina
My car has a flat tyre – La mia macchina ha una gomma a terra
Please send an ambulance/the police – Si prega di inviare un’ambulanza/la polizia

Polish
Hello – Witam
Goodbye – do widzenia
Please – Prosz?
Thank you – Dzi?kuj?
My car has broken down – Mój samochód si? zepsu?
My car won’t start – Mój samochód nie uruchamia si?
I have had a car accident – Mia?em wypadek samochodowy
My car has run out of petrol – W moim samochodzie sko?czy?a si? benzyna
My car has a flat tyre – Mój samochód ma przebit? opon?
Please send an ambulance/the police – Prosz? wys?a? karetk?/policj?

Spanish
Hello – Hola
Goodbye – Adios
Please – Por favor
Thank you – Gracias
My car has broken down – Mi auto se averió
My car won’t start – Mi auto no arranca
I have had a car accident – Tuve un accidente automovilístico
My car has run out of petrol – Mi coche se ha quedado sin gasolina
My car has a flat tyre – Mi auto tiene una llanta pinchada
Please send an ambulance/the police – Por favor envíe una ambulancia/policía

Learning these key phrases will allow you to feel more confident when driving abroad and will ensure you are thoroughly prepared for your next trip. As well as learning these important phrases, it is also essential to know the phone numbers for the emergency services and for roadside assistance. With every eventuality now covered you can fully enjoy your travels!

About Anna Jones
My name is Anna and since I am a recent English graduate, it goes without saying that I love to read. I also enjoy travelling as I find seeing and experiencing different cultures intriguing. I like to try the local cuisine, learn about the country’s customs and visit historic sites. I have currently traveled to 15 different countries, but I would like to see many more! When I return, I compile my favourite photos and videos from the trip into a short video so I can remember my travels for life!

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ReduceMyExcess is a trading name of Eversure Limited, Bury House, 1 Bury Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4AW. Registered in England and Wales no. 6751893. Eversure Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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