When Emma and Daniel Callahan packed up life in Sydney for a year-long adventure in Europe with their three children, they weren’t just chasing landmarks. They wanted picnics on Alpine meadows, detours to village bakeries, and the freedom to linger wherever the road felt right.
But for a family of five, freedom came with a practical challenge: how to travel across Europe without the headache of constant rentals or residency roadblocks?
Car Rental Alternatives for Families in Europe
Like most Australians preparing for a long stay in Europe, the Callahans initially considered rental cars. But the math didn’t work: cramped vehicles, sky-high costs, and restrictions that made cross-border travel complicated. Leasing wasn’t an option either, it demanded paperwork tied to local residency they didn’t have.
“We wanted a proper family car,” recalls Emma. “Something safe and comfortable, where the kids could nap in the back after a day of sightseeing, but we had no idea how to make it happen legally without living in Europe.”
Discovering MyEUCar
A recommendation on an expat forum changed everything. That’s where the Callahans found MyEUCar.com, a service designed specifically for non-EU residents to buy, register, insure, and manage a car remotely in Europe.
Within weeks, MyEUCar sourced and prepared a Volkswagen Touran, spacious enough for car seats, sports gear, and luggage. By the time the family landed in Munich, their car was waiting, registered, insured, and ready for the open road.
A Rolling Home Across Borders
The Callahans spent the next twelve months covering 25,000 kilometers of Europe’s highways and hidden backroads.
- France meant morning croissants in Provence and weekend drives through lavender fields.
- Italy brought them winding roads above Lake Garda, where they picnicked on fresh bread and cheese bought from local markets.
- Austria gave them storybook memories, the children singing Do-Re-Mi in the back seat while snow fell around Salzburg.
- Spain offered lazy drives through Andalusia’s sun-bleached villages, where the Touran became both transport and storage for beach toys and soccer balls.
For the kids, the car became a safe haven between adventures. For Emma and Daniel, it was the key to exploring Europe like locals, unhurried, spontaneous, and deeply personal.
Travel Without Red Tape
Behind the scenes, MyEUCar ensured everything ran smoothly. Insurance renewals, road taxes, even arranging the annual inspection, all managed seamlessly.
“We never set foot in a government office,” Daniel laughs. “If anything popped up, MyEUCar handled it. We just drove.”
Memories That Last
Back in Sydney now, the Callahans often flip through photo albums of their European year. Their youngest, Lucy, still talks about feeding ducks by the Danube; their eldest dreams about skiing in the Alps again.
For Emma and Daniel, the car wasn’t just a vehicle, it was the enabler of a lifestyle, a way to connect the dots of Europe into one unforgettable family story.
For families, second homeowners, and expats alike, MyEUCar opens the door to a Europe without limits. With a car registered and managed remotely, the road truly is yours.