Financial Lease
Financial lease as an expat in the Netherlands: how it works
Updated
Do you live in the Netherlands as an expat and run your own business? Then, just like Dutch entrepreneurs, you can finance a car or commercial vehicle with financial lease. The rules are the same, but lenders look at your application slightly differently.
What is financial lease for an expat?
Financial lease is business financing. The lender pays for the car, you repay it in fixed monthly instalments and you are the economic owner from the start. The car goes on your company's balance sheet. It is therefore meant for entrepreneurs registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK), not for private individuals.
Whether you are Dutch or an expat makes no difference to the lease itself. Read the basics in what is financial lease if you are new to it.
What do you need?
A lender wants to know who you are, where you live and how your business is doing. Have these documents ready:
- a valid ID and, if applicable, your residence document;
- your citizen service number (BSN) and municipal registration;
- an extract from the Chamber of Commerce;
- a Dutch business bank account;
- recent figures or bank statements for your business.
What does a lender look at?
Newcomers often have no Dutch credit history yet. That is not negative, but it gives the lender less information. They therefore look more closely at your turnover, your client contracts and how long you have lived in the Netherlands.
A larger down payment or a shorter term can help if your business is still young. See the options for financial lease at Lease Point.
What do you arrange besides the lease?
With financial lease you arrange insurance, maintenance and road tax yourself. A lender usually requires at least comprehensive cover while the car is financed.
If you plan to return home after a few years, the contract will have to be paid off or taken over. Keep that in mind when choosing the term.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use financial lease as an expat without a KvK registration?
No. Financial lease is business financing and requires a company registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
Do I need to speak Dutch to lease?
Not necessarily. Many lenders and lease companies can help you in English. The contract itself is usually drawn up in Dutch.
How long do I need to have lived in the Netherlands?
That differs per lender. The longer you have lived and done business here, the more information the lender has to assess your application.