How to Lease a Car in Denmark

In Denmark, bicycling is one of the primary forms of transportation.

With an extensive network of bicycle lanes, and the country’s terrain being mostly flat, biking is an excellent way to get around.

You may wonder if you even need to bother with obtaining a car – well, yes, most likely you do. In our experience, 99% of expats need the convenience and the flexibility of driving in order to go about their daily lives as well as exploring the rest of the country.

As a newcomer in Denmark, the car leasing process may feel overwhelming. As with everything in life, preparation is the key to success!

By following our 5-Step process, the car leasing process will be much easier to navigate!

1. Have Your Documents Ready!

The good news is that there are leasing companies in Denmark who are specialized in assisting foreign professionals with financing their vehicles. To move forward, you will need to provide them with the following documents:

  • Work permit
  • Copy of passport with photo
  • Copy of valid driver’s licensea
  • Detailed copy of work permit/li>
  • Social security card (Danish CPR number)

2. Driver’s License Rules in Denmark

If you establish usual residence in Denmark, you will, in some cases, need to exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Danish driver’s license.

Usual residence means that you have personal or professional ties to Denmark i.e., you spend a minimum of 185 days in Denmark within a calendar year. Usual residence in Denmark is established from the date when you move to Denmark with an intention to establish usual residence in Denmark.

If you exclusively have professional ties to Denmark but personal ties to another country, you will be regarded as having usual residence in the country where you have personal relationships if you regularly return to that country.

Please see more details on the website of the Danish Road Safety Agency.

Note: Information may not be up-to-date. Please check official government information for latest laws and regulations.

3. Know What You Want and Your Budget

How long do you need the car?
Car leasing in Denmark starts at 12 months. Some providers offer the benefit of a flexible lease term. Even if your lease term is 36 months, you can end the lease penalty-free after 12 months in case your assignment ends early.

What is your budget?
The first thing any car leasing specialist will ask you is “what is your budget?” For this reason, it’s good to have an idea of what you are willing to spend on your monthly car payments.

When do you need the car?
Usually, the more flexible you are with your car selection, the faster you can obtain your lease. Many times, vehicle providers have popular cars in stock that could be available on short notice. On the other hand, if you opt for a factory-ordered vehicle of a make not common in Denmark, you could be in for a long wait.

Delivery times vary considerably on new cars, and you want to be out in good time to ensure that you can get the car you want at your desired time. The usual process time is one to two weeks if the car is available in stock.

4. The Terms and Conditions

Typical lease/payment terms
Payment due at delivery usually consists of two month’s refundable deposit.

Auto Insurance
Fully comprehensive insurance is included on most lease offers. However, be sure to read the print in small to make sure you and the passengers are covered in case of an accident. Also find out how much you’re expected to pay in the event of an accident or damage to the car.

Terminating the lease early
If you have to return your vehicle earlier than expected, the lease agreement will state exactly how any remaining payments or penalties are calculated. So be sure to consider the termination terms when comparing offers.

Vehicle registration
The leasing company will handle the vehicle registration as part of their service.

5. Expat Specialized Car Leasing Company

A company that can assist is ExpatRide International. They have experience with assisting expats across the globe and service many Fortune 1000 companies’ employees in Denmark

ExpatRide can assist with most vehicle makes and models available in Denmark, such as: Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT, Škoda, Suzuki, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

They service all areas of Denmark such as Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Randers, Kolding, Horsens, Vejle, Roskilde, Billund, Herning, Hørsholm, Helsingør, Silkeborg, Næstved, Fredericia, Viborg, Køge, Holstebro, Taastrup, Brande, Sønderborg and the list goes on…

Need assistance with leasing a car? Let ExpatRide lead the way

Contact us at CARS@ExpatRide.com for more information

Tell us what type of car you want, and we will find it for you nationwide
We arrange rentals and car leasing in the following locations:

All major cities and all smaller cities, we’ll be there for you: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Esbjerg, Randers, Kolding, Horsens, Vejle, Roskilde, Billund, Herning, Hørsholm, Helsingør, Silkeborg, Næstved, Fredericia, Viborg, Køge, Holstebro, Taastrup, Brande, Sønderborg and the list goes on…