Ilha Verde Rent a Car Reviews 

The two cars I rented in Azores did not have the full gasoline deposit. The first car filled it just before turning it back: therefore with quite more gasoline than it had. The second car returned at 5 a.m. and had filled the deposit the previous day; it lacked a little but the fuel marker grip was clearly more coming from the day than it sank. Even so, they charged me 28€ of the deposit they had retained. They did not accept my claim. A very negative performance. No one forgets to photograph the fuel marker when they pick up the car.

After renting a Ford Focus I got a Dacia Sendero with several years, very poorly cleaned with the inside of the front windshield completely dirty.
They don't take you to the car during check in, not even tell you where it´s parked. The same with check out. No one's there to receive the car.
After a few days I received a report on several small damages to the car that I never made. Fortunately I had full insurance.
Please avoid at all costs.

Car was OK but Express Checkout had no option for UK nationals so we had to wait in a long queue at pick up at Ponta Delgada. All the other car hire companies had no queue, but maybe they charge more.

The air con in the car did not work. As it was evening when we picked it up, it was not realistic to have tested it before leaving the air port. I have emailed customer support twice with no response. I rang the helpline but that is for road side assistance and they could not help.

Staff were polite and helpful at all times, it's just a shame the car was not what we paid for.

Before visiting São Miguel in July 2026, I read everywhere that renting a car was almost essential to explore the island. While searching for rental companies, I found very mixed reviews for nearly every provider.

I eventually chose Ilha Verde Rent a Car because their prices were competitive and their reviews seemed more balanced. Overall, I had a very positive experience. The pickup process was quick and straightforward, and they accepted my debit credit card without any issues. The car was new and clean, with only a few minor signs of use that hadn’t been marked, so I simply recorded a video before leaving.

Returning the car was just as easy. They inspected it, confirmed everything was fine within a few minutes, and told me the deposit would be refunded within a couple of working days.

Overall, everything went smoothly, and I would happily rent from them again. Hopefully this review helps anyone looking for a reliable car rental company on São Miguel.

Got a car without some of its break disc.
Other minor issues were the many scratches and the still partially wet interrior.

Got a great deal on a rental, but because I declined the insurance they wanted a $2500 deposit. I’ve rented many cars and have never had to deposit over $600 before. Therefore it forced me into getting their insurance.

I was scared by the bad reviews, but we had no issues at all. Got a free upgrade to a bigger car because they had no small cars left. I already got my deposit back before bringing back the car. Bringing the car back was easy as well.

When we came to the airport in Pico island there were no one there, despite being after opening hours, so it was impossible to deliver our keys. They did not respond at the phone or any other contact methods either. The worst.

WE ASKED FOR MAX PROTECTION SO WE COULD AVOID ANY TROUBLE BUT THE INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER THE BOTTOM PART OF THE CAR(VERY STRANGE),ON OUR LAST NIGHT WE GOT OUR FUEL STOLEN(ALSO STRANGE COINCEDENCE), THEY TRIED FROM THE POMP ENTRANCE BUT THEN THEY CUT LE TUBE UNDERNEATH THE CAR ,SO THIS DAMAGE WAS NOT ONLY AGAINST OUR WILL BUT WE ALSO SUFFERED A "THEFT""!!OF COURSE THE COMPANY AFFERMS THAT THIS DAMAGE WILL NOT BE COVERED AND THIS COSTED US 1.643,00€!!!!WHEN WE FINALLY GOT TO THE AIRPORT,WE WERE INFORMED THAT THIS SAME THEFT HAPPENED TO OTHER TURISTS LEAVING THAT MORNING( STRANGE COINCIDENCE!!)

This is regarding the Invoice RA 1042023 MA BA-93-XR .

Don't even try to ask me to email customerservice at ilhaverde com - this was done and no response received.

Damage on the wheel rim and the tire is shown on the photo I've taken prior to driving the rented vehicle (Dec 24th at 8-13 am local time - Azores); find pictures attached. Note - the rim damage as even noted on the original contract after I pointed it out to your rep!
The invoice also charges me for baby seat, which was already prepaid at the counter on Dec 24th: find credit card payment proof attached
At the very least in addition to a refund I expect a formal apology from the regional manager.
Ideally I expect not to be charged for the original rental given the circumstances that transpired: it's your company representative's fault that I've driven away on torn tire.

If this email is not responded to and refund for the amount charged for damages is issued within next 2 business days I will be forced to proceed as follows:

Tell the story on the popular US/EU travel blog that I own and operate (157,000 subscribers) telling the story with pictures about renting a clearly unsafe vehicle
Submit a complaint with European Car Rental Conciliation Service
Submit a complaint with Direção-Geral do Consumidor (DGC)
Submit a formal complaint to the US Attorney General. When enough of these complaints pile up: it'll affect your company.

Lastly, I will submit a dispute with my Credit Card bank (JP Morgan Chase), clearing showing the pictures of pre-existing damages and the rental documentation.

I am expecting your response.

Thank you

Horrible Horrible experience. This was in São Jorge island. I booked my rental over 5 months ahead through priceline and Avis. Ilha Verde was the representative. If they had a zero that's what it would be. It started out OK. The initial process with Monica. Then I followed Fábio to see the car and go through the inspection. We get there there was a HUGE scrap dent on the side car was dirty inside. I say to him in Portuguese this car is unacceptable it's embarrassing to drive in this condition he doesn't even acknowledge me. So I said In English I can't take that vehicle. He says this is the only one we have IF YOU DON'T TAKE IT YOU WILL HAVE TO WALK BY FOOT. I walk back to the rental station to talk to Monica she said that was the last car they had. Fábio walks back and repeats in front of her and my wife again what he said outside 2 times. I was so angry my wife stepped in to calm things down. I was traveling with my sister in-law and husband so I didn't really have a choice. If it was just me and my wife I would had refused the car and got my money back and use a taxi to get around. AVOID

Terrible Experience – Dishonest Deposit Charges

I had a terrible experience with this rental company. My Peugeot 208 was slightly damaged during a theft attempt. ILHA VERDE own policy clearly stated I was covered for theft and damage with a maximum excess of €200.

Despite this, they withheld £702.87 from my deposit, claiming a part called the “control stalk” (manípulo de luzes) cost €574.71 — even though it costs no more than €50 retail. They also added admin and repair fees on top.

When I disputed the charge, they changed their story, saying the entire set (bloco de comando) needed replacing — which was unnecessary. Even then, the cost doesn’t justify what they charged.

This goes against their own terms. They inflated repair costs and ignored the protection I was promised. I feel scammed and would strongly advise others to avoid this company.

SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE
We arrived at Rent-a-Car Ilha Verde at 13:39 and completed check-in smoothly. We were then directed to the parking area to receive the car and a baby seat (<10kg). We waited nearly an hour. The first seat provided was unsafe, unsuitable for our baby's weight, and lacked instructions, brand, or model information. We refused it.
A second, identical seat was offered and also refused. We were told there were no other options. After several calls, a third option — a baby carrier — was presented, but it was also inappropriate. No instructions were provided at any point.
By 16:30, after almost three hours without a safe solution, we turned to another company that provided a compliant and secure seat. None of the options from Ilha Verde met the minimum safety standards required by law.
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Versão PT: Falha Grave de Segurança

Chegámos à Rent-a-Car Ilha Verde às 13h39 e fomos encaminhados para o estacionamento para receber o carro e uma cadeira de bebé (<10kg). Esperámos cerca de uma hora. A primeira cadeira entregue era inadequada, sem instruções, marca ou modelo, e não cumpria os requisitos mínimos de segurança. Recusámos.
A segunda cadeira era igual à primeira. Após várias tentativas, foi-nos apresentado um ovo de bebé, também impróprio. Às 16h30, sem solução segura, recorremos a outra empresa que garantiu uma cadeira adequada e legal.
Nenhuma das opções fornecidas pela Ilha Verde cumpria os requisitos mínimos de segurança rodoviária infantil exigidos por lei.

One star is even too positive. A long queue because they are not organisede, not well prepared. They create chaos. Waiting time more than 1 hour, for an in advance reservation car, all data like licence, ID and creditcardnumber were there already they retype everything, at least 10 minutes. Search for the car in the dark, with an inaccurate indicating where to find. Manager not supportive, and not problem solving oriented.

When I read other reviews (after signing the contract), I got a bit scared. But our experience was nothing but good!

What we liked:
- Easy booking
- Nice people at the car park, to take/give back the car. When we arrived, they even gave us some tips about upcoming events on the island.
- All bumps and scratches got duely noted when we took the car (even without asking), so no scheming to make us pay for existing damages
- We had a problem with our first car (the battery was dead), and the war was replaced within the hour by a very nice gentleman
- Overall all very pleasant and efficient interactions, even when we had a problem with a car

Extra information:
- We rented a car for 2 weeks in August
- We took an insurance with full coverage
- We stayed at about 40min from Ponta Delgada

The Cars we had were really good and almost new. Make a video of the car before, and you dont have to worry about anything.

Would give ZERO stars if possible. No customer service, long (1.5 hour) wait to pick up despite having a reservation and checking in online beforehand. Unsafe car (slipping clutch, bald tires), very rude and passive aggressive employee at Sao Jorge airport (Monica) for turn-in, who wanted us to double park far away, would not accept documents, and threatened not to return our 1200 Euro deposit because we would not run back and forth from lot to check in desk (where whe was going anyway) to retrieve duplicate documents. She then escalated with mocking faces and refused to give her manager's name, then disappeared when my wife tried to find her regarding the large (now hostage) deposit.

We had a great experience, although I have to say, we were a bit reluctant after reading the reviews.
We ordered a Renault Twingo and got a Clio with just 50k on the meter.
Easy to get the car and the same bringing it back friendly help and a smooth process. No remarks what so ever !!!

60 days and i still didn't have back my deposit, they are a shame!

After 15 days I still have not received the deposit of 1200 Euros even though everything was ok at check-in. Zero customer service.