Car Leasing in Switzerland 2025: Complete Guide

Leasing has become one of the most popular ways to get a new car in Switzerland. Instead of buying a vehicle outright or taking out a loan, you pay a monthly fee to use the car for a set period. But is leasing the right choice for you, and which provider offers the best deal?

Data: December 2024

What is Car Leasing?

Car leasing is essentially a long-term rental agreement. You pay a fixed monthly rate for a specific period (typically 24-60 months) to use a vehicle. At the end of the contract, you return the car to the leasing company.

Types of Leasing in Switzerland

Private Leasing (Privatleasing)

• For private individuals
• Fixed monthly rates
• No down payment required (usually)
• Mileage limits apply
• Insurance often included in the rate

Commercial Leasing (Gewerbeleasing)

• For self-employed and businesses
• Tax-deductible expenses
• More flexible contract terms
• Higher mileage allowances available

Leading Car Leasing Providers in Switzerland

Provider	Min. Contract	Special Features	Customer Service
AMAG Leasing	24 months	Switzerland's largest dealer network, all brands	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cash Gate	12 months	Online comparison platform, best price guarantee	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Migros Bank	24 months	Favorable rates, trusted Swiss bank	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emil Frey	24 months	Multi-brand dealer, comprehensive service	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Auto-Interleasing	24 months	Specialized in Japanese and Korean brands	⭐⭐⭐⭐
UBS Leasing	24 months	Competitive rates for bank customers	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Advantages of Car Leasing

Financial Flexibility

• No large upfront capital required
• Fixed monthly costs for easier budgeting
• Preserves cash flow for other investments
• No concerns about vehicle depreciation

Always Drive New Cars

• Get a new car every 2-5 years
• Latest technology and safety features
• Manufacturer warranty coverage
• Lower maintenance costs

Insurance Included

Most leasing contracts in Switzerland include:

• Comprehensive insurance (Vollkasko)
• Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)
• Road assistance
• Replacement vehicle coverage

Tax Benefits (for Businesses)

• Leasing rates may be tax-deductible for business use - consult a tax advisor
• VAT reclaim eligibility varies based on business structure and usage
• Vehicles typically not shown as an asset on balance sheet - verify with accountant

Disadvantages to Consider

No Ownership

• You never own the vehicle
• No equity built up
• Must return the car at contract end
• Cannot sell the vehicle

Mileage Limits

• Typically 10,000-20,000 km per year
• Excess mileage fees: CHF 0.05-0.15 per km
• Insufficient mileage is usually not refunded

Early Termination Costs

• Breaking a lease contract is expensive
• You may owe remaining payments
• Early termination fees can be substantial

Wear and Tear Charges

• Normal wear is accepted
• Excessive damage incurs extra costs
• Detailed inspection at contract end
• Disputed charges are common

How Much Does Car Leasing Cost in Switzerland?

Sample Monthly Leasing Rates (2025)

Vehicle Class	Example Model	Monthly Rate	Contract Period	Annual KM
Small Car	VW Polo	CHF 199	48 months	10,000
Compact Car	VW Golf	CHF 279	48 months	10,000
SUV Compact	VW T-Cross	CHF 329	48 months	10,000
SUV Mid-Size	VW Tiguan	CHF 449	48 months	10,000
Electric Car	VW ID.3	CHF 369	48 months	10,000
Premium Sedan	BMW 3 Series	CHF 549	48 months	10,000
Premium SUV	Audi Q5	CHF 649	48 months	10,000

Sample rates as of December 2024 - typically include comprehensive insurance and road tax. Actual prices vary significantly by provider, credit score, and specific vehicle configuration. Always verify current rates directly with providers.

Additional Costs to Consider

Down Payment (Anzahlung)

• Optional but reduces monthly rate
• Typical range: 10-20% of vehicle price
• Not always recommended for private leasing

Final Installment

• Some contracts include a final payment
• Can be 10-25% of vehicle value
• Option to purchase the vehicle

Insurance Deductible

• Usually CHF 500-1,000 per claim
• Can be reduced for higher monthly fee
• Comprehensive coverage is standard

Leasing vs. Buying: Which is Better?

Choose Leasing If You:

• Want to drive a new car every few years
• Prefer predictable monthly costs
• Don't have large savings for a purchase
• Are self-employed (tax deduction benefits)
• Drive moderate distances (within mileage limits)

Choose Buying If You:

• Keep cars for 10+ years
• Drive high annual mileage (>25,000 km)
• Want to own the vehicle
• Have sufficient capital available
• Prefer long-term cost savings

Cost Comparison Example (VW Golf)

Leasing (4 years)

• Monthly payment: CHF 279 × 48 months = CHF 13,392
• Insurance included
• No ownership at end

Purchase with Loan (4 years)

• Vehicle price: CHF 35,000
• Down payment: CHF 7,000
• Monthly loan payment: CHF 600 × 48 = CHF 28,800
• Insurance: CHF 150 × 48 = CHF 7,200
• Total: CHF 43,000
• Vehicle worth approx. CHF 20,000 after 4 years
• Net cost: CHF 23,000

While purchasing appears more expensive initially, you own an asset worth CHF 20,000. Leasing's total cost is lower but you own nothing.

How to Get the Best Leasing Deal

1. Compare Multiple Providers

Don't accept the first offer. Use comparison platforms like:

• Cash Gate (cashgate.ch)
• Comparis (comparis.ch)
• Autoscout24 (autoscout24.ch)

2. Negotiate Everything

Unlike prices in Swiss shops, leasing rates are negotiable:

• Monthly payment amount
• Down payment requirement
• Mileage allowance
• Service packages
• Early return options

3. Check Your Credit Score

Better credit (Bonitätsprüfung) means better rates. Check your score before applying:

• CRIF (crif.ch)
• Intrum (intrum.ch)

4. Choose the Right Contract Length

• 24 months: Highest monthly rates, most flexibility
• 36 months: Balanced option, moderate rates
• 48 months: Lower monthly rates, less flexibility
• 60 months: Lowest rates but long commitment

5. Estimate Your Annual Mileage Accurately

• Underestimating costs you dearly in excess fees
• Overestimating means paying for unused kilometers
• Track your current mileage for 6 months first

6. Read the Fine Print

Watch out for:

• Early termination penalties
• Wear and tear definitions
• Return condition requirements
• Excess mileage calculation methods
• Insurance deductibles

Special Considerations for Switzerland

Cantonal Road Tax (Verkehrssteuer)

• Usually included in leasing rate
• Varies by canton (CHF 200-800 annually)
• Based on vehicle weight or engine power

Vignette for Highways

• Not typically included in leasing
• CHF 40 annually
• Required for Swiss highway use
• Your responsibility to purchase

Winter Tires

• Legally required when conditions demand
• Often included in service packages
• Check if tire changes are included
• Storage fees may apply

Cross-Border Travel

• Most contracts allow EU/Schengen travel
• Notify provider for longer trips
• Green Card insurance needed for non-EU
• Check contract for restrictions

Leasing for Electric Vehicles

Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular for leasing in Switzerland:

Advantages

• Government subsidies in some cantons
• Lower operating costs
• Reduced company car taxation
• Future-proof technology

Considerations

• Higher monthly rates than equivalent combustion
• Battery degradation over contract period
• Charging infrastructure availability
• Lower residual values (changing quickly)

Popular EV Leasing Models (2025)

Model	Monthly Rate	Range (WLTP)	Charging Time
VW ID.3	CHF 369	420 km	30 min (80%)
Tesla Model 3	CHF 489	491 km	25 min (80%)
Hyundai Ioniq 5	CHF 449	481 km	18 min (80%)
Skoda Enyaq	CHF 429	537 km	35 min (80%)
BMW iX3	CHF 629	461 km	30 min (80%)

What Happens at Contract End?

Return the Vehicle

Most common option in private leasing:

• Schedule return inspection
• Settle any damage charges
• Hand over all keys and documents
• Lease a new vehicle or walk away

Purchase the Vehicle

Sometimes possible:

• Not available with all providers
• Residual value often higher than market
• Additional purchase fee may apply
• Check contract terms carefully

Extend the Contract

Usually not recommended:

• Monthly rates typically increase
• Out of warranty period
• Better to lease a new vehicle

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Underestimating Annual Mileage

Excess mileage fees add up quickly. If in doubt, choose a higher allowance.

2. Ignoring Total Cost

Focus on total cost over contract period, not just monthly payment.

3. Not Reading Return Conditions

Know exactly what condition the car should generally be in to avoid surprise charges.

4. Choosing Too Long a Contract

Longer contracts save money monthly but lock you in for years.

5. Neglecting Maintenance

Even though it's not your car, proper maintenance prevents return penalties.

Alternative: Car Subscription Services

A newer option in Switzerland combines leasing flexibility with short-term commitments:

Providers:

• Carvolution (carvolution.ch)
• Volvo Car Subscription
• MYPRIME (myprime.ch)

Features:

• Monthly subscriptions (no long-term contract)
• Everything included (insurance, service, tires)
• Switch vehicles or cancel monthly
• Higher cost than traditional leasing

Cost: CHF 600-1,500/month depending on vehicle class

Conclusion: Is Leasing Right for You?

Car leasing in Switzerland offers an attractive way to drive a new vehicle without the commitment and capital requirements of purchasing. It's particularly advantageous if you:

• Enjoy driving new cars with latest features
• Prefer predictable monthly budgeting
• Are self-employed or run a business (tax benefits)
• Drive moderate annual distances
• Don't want to handle selling your old car

However, if you keep vehicles for many years, drive extensively, or want to build equity, traditional purchase might be more economical in the long run.

The key is to compare offers from multiple providers, negotiate aggressively, and read all contract terms carefully before signing.

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In the future, checkeverything.ch will feature an interactive comparison tool to help you find the perfect leasing deal across all Swiss providers. Stay tuned!

Important Legal Disclaimer

This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.

All leasing rates, terms, and conditions mentioned are examples based on market research as of December 2024 and may vary significantly. Actual offers depend on numerous factors including credit score, vehicle selection, provider policies, and individual circumstances.

Tax implications: Tax deductibility of leasing costs varies based on your specific situation (business vs. private use, employment status, canton of residence). Always consult with a qualified tax advisor or accountant before making decisions based on tax considerations.

Legal obligations: Leasing contracts are legally binding agreements with significant financial consequences. Early termination, excess mileage, and damage charges can be substantial. Review all contract terms carefully and consider seeking legal advice if needed.

No typically provides: Pricing, availability, and terms change frequently. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information remains current. Always verify directly with providers and read complete contract terms before signing.

Professional consultation recommended: For major financial decisions like vehicle leasing, especially for business purposes, consult with qualified financial and legal professionals who understand your specific circumstances.

Last updated: December 2024. Market conditions, regulations, and provider offerings may have changed since publication.