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The car leasing process in Germany may seem intimidating to foreigners. However, 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 Germany who are specialized in assisting foreign professionals with financing their vehicles. To move forward, you will need to provide them with the following documents:
2. Driver’s License Rules in Germany
Driving in Germany with a Foreign Driver’s License
To drive in Germany, you need a driving license issued in Germany or another EU country. The national driving license granted by the authorities in your home country is only valid for six months in Germany- the period begins with your first police registration in Germany. At the end of these six months, you need to transfer your driving license if you wish to continue driving.
If you are only visiting Germany, you can drive with the driving license you have obtained in your home country or an international driving license. Keep in mind that you must always have your driving license with you when driving. You can read more on the website of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
How to Exchange Your Foreign Driver’s License to a German Driver’s License
The process for exchanging your foreign driver’s license for a German equivalent is determined by whether a reciprocal arrangement exists with the country that issued your existing license. Check with your local driver licensing office, or through your home country’s transport authority.
Depending on the agreement, for some countries, you may have to sit a written exam and/or a driving test, while for others the process is a fairly simple one of forwarding documents without the need to take any additional tests.
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 Germany typically starts at 12 months. Usually, the longer the lease term, the lower the monthly payments
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 Germany, 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
Usually, there is no down payment at the start of the lease. Maintenance, service, sales tax, and tires may be included.
Auto Insurance
Insurance is usually not included in Germany. Make 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 Germany
ExpatRide can assist with most vehicle makes and models available in Germany, such as: Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Chrysler, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mini, MG, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, SEAT, Skoda, Smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo
They service all areas of Germany such as: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Essen, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Bremen, Hanover, Duisburg, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Dresden, Bochum, Wuppertal, Bielefeld, Bonn, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Gelsenkirchen, Wiesbaden, Münster, Mönchengladbach, Chemnitz, Augsburg, Braunschweig, Aachen, Krefeld, Halle, Kiel, Magdeburg, Oberhausen, Lübeck, Freiburg, Hagen, Erfurt, Kassel, Rostock, Mainz, Hamm, Saarbrücken, Herne, Mülheim, Solingen, Osnabrück, Ludwigshafen, Leverkusen, Oldenburg and the list goes on…
Please visit our Germany page for more information on how the local expat car leasing process works and local practical information. Learn more about our services in Germany …
Need assistance with leasing a car? Let ExpatRide lead the way
Contact us at CARS@ExpatRide.com for more information or visit https://www.expatride.com/countries/germany-expat-car-services/
All major cities and all smaller cities, we’ll be there for you:
Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Essen, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Bremen, Hanover, Duisburg, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Dresden, Bochum, Wuppertal, Bielefeld, Bonn, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Gelsenkirchen, Wiesbaden, Münster, Mönchengladbach, Chemnitz, Augsburg, Braunschweig, Aachen, Krefeld, Halle, Kiel, Magdeburg, Oberhausen, Lübeck, Freiburg, Hagen, Erfurt, Kassel, Rostock, Mainz, Hamm, Saarbrücken, Herne, Mülheim, Solingen, Osnabrück, Ludwigshafen, Leverkusen, Oldenburg and the list goes on…
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