Expat Car Leasing and Rental Germany

Get the car you need for your everyday life or next adventure!

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Get a Car Without a German Credit History

Start the process when the time is right for you – before or after your move to Germany. ExpatRide provides car leasing for new vehicles to foreign professionals without a credit history. We provide the relocation support needed for all your mobility needs.

Financing/leasing options from 12 to 48 months

Lease New Cars

Chose from VW and Audi models. We offer expat tailored leasing options across all of Germany.

Personal Car Shopper Service

The “Personal Car Shopper Service” gives you the benefit of a skilled and knowledgeable contact person who understands the auto market in Germany.

Expat Auto insurance

Get competitively priced insurance for your car with our partner or provide your own insurance. No German driver’s license needed.

Car rentals for foreign professionals

Rentals are from 1 day up to 12 months. The rental car program covers 100 countries globally. Click here to book…

What it Takes and Costs to Lease a Car in Germany

The lease program takes into consideration the credit challenges of being new in Germany, and the fact that you have tons of practical issues to take care of during your move. We offer destination service for all your mobility needs upon arrival in Germany.

We can assist you in all of Germany

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…

How to Get Started

Complete the contact form below. You will be contacted by your Personal Car Shopper who will assist with sourcing vehicles and creating tailored quotes.

Once we find the vehicle and you accept the pricing, we will ask you for more documentation as listed below.

Lease Program Details

  • Nationwide Leasing program
  • 6 to 12 weeks from signature to delivery
  • Lease period 12 – 48 months
  • Insurance built into program (optional)
  • Realistic residual value
  • Service agreement (optional)

How to Apply

The following documents are required to apply:

  • Completed finance application (Leasingantrag)
  • Copy of passport with photo and work visa
  • Copy of valid driver’s license
  • Letter of employment stating salary, term and allowances

Financial Terms & Conditions

  • Interest rates 4% – 5%. Subject to individual credit review
  • We are not able to offer financing for students or retired individuals
  • Total annual compensation of less than €50,000 may not qualify

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Personal Car Shopper service?

    A free service - according to your needs, our experts will work closely with you. They will discuss, recommend, find your best vehicle options. Your Personal Car Specialist will send you tailored quotes.

  • Are there limits to what makes and models I can lease?

    Yes, we currently only offer Audi and VW models

  • What is the length of term available?

    We offer lease terms of 12-60 months depending on your needs.

  • What is the time-frame for car delivery?

    Cars in stock will take 4-6 weeks from order to delivery. New car orders will take 3-6 months depending on manufacturer and model

  • Is maintenance included in the rates?

    Yes, the following maintenance items are included: delivery, winter tires, damage handling

  • Is insurance included in the lease?

    Yes, comprehensive insurance including 3rd party liability is included.

  • Do you support Global Mobility HR with their expats’ transportation needs?

    Yes, this program is created to support corporate human resource divisions in coordinating all transportation needs for their employees on international assignments. This can be coordinated directly with the HR department or with the allocated relocation management company.

  • What payment options do you offer to Corporations or Relocation Management companies?

    We offer the following payment options:

    - Bank payment
    - Credit card payment (3,5% transaction fee is added)

    Invoicing can be done in AUD, EUR, GBP, SGD, or USD.

  • How can ExpatRide support our corporate relocation service needs?

    We work with you to establish a global mobility program for all aspects of car transportation. Aligning customary transportation across continents, budgets, allowances, self-pay, approved vehicles, individually tailored solutions, and centralized direct billing arrangement across all services.

    If you work with a Relocation Management Company. We can support and implement the plan mentioned above together with the RMC, including coordinating expense management for your employees, thus utilizing the relocation support services infrastructure already provided to you by the RMC. We work with all the major RMCs and Destination Services Providers.

    Please see more information on our “Corporate page”

  • Is ExpatRide specialized in only supporting expatriates, or is it available for short-term and domestic needs?

    ExpatRide’s primary focus is on workforce mobility services. It includes all employee transportation needs, be it short-term international assignments or long-term and permanent moves. We can assist employees moving domestically and internationally.

    For your employees we offer the following services:

    - Airport Transfer
    - Rental Car
    - Daily Chauffeur Service
    - Car Leasing

Practical Information on Driving in Germany

Speed Limits

Speed limits in Germany are set by the federal government. All limits are multiples of 10 km/h. There are two default speed limits: 50 km/h (31 mph) inside built-up areas and 100 km/h (62 mph) outside built-up areas.

Kids in Cars

Children under the age of twelve with a height below 150 cm are required to use a cars seat with a seat belt when in a vehicle. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to sit in the front seat of any vehicle that has a back seat. Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers in the car, front and back.

Minimum Age

Drivers must be 17 years of age to obtain a Driver’s License. A 17-year-old driver is required to have an older licensed driver in the car. However, if you’re driving with a US or other non-German license, you must be at least 18 years of age! That applies even if the US state requirement is only 16 or 17!

Documentation

When driving in Germany the following documents should be carried: Full, valid driving license, Proof of insurance (third party or above), Registration document (V5C Certificate)

Alcohol and Driving

Germany has a .05 blood alcohol limit for drunk driving.

Auto Insurance

All drivers in Germany must be covered by some form of car insurance. If you are a long-term resident in Germany, you will need to have German car insurance, even if you brought your car to Germany from abroad; foreign car insurance does not suffice.

Phone and Driving

Drivers are not allowed to pick up, hold or use their phone while the motor of the car is on. This means that drivers will also be fined if they are caught taking a call through an in-ear Bluetooth device.

Seat Belts

All vehicles in Germany are required to have serviceable seat belts for all persons in the car, including those riding in the back seat. And the law requires that they be worn. There is a €30 on-the-spot fine for each person in a car not using a seat belt.

Driver's License


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.

Expat auto leasing for Audi and Volkswagen Nationwide

Learn to navigate the German language of leasing

Below you’ll find a translation of common lease terms from English to German. To learn more about the meaning of these terms, simply follow the link to our Glossary for Expat Car Leasing

Glossary for Expat Car Leasing | ExpatRide

Common lease terms – English to German

Down payment or Capitalized cost reduction – Anzahlung oder Reduzierung der aktivierten Kosten

Depreciation – Abschreibung
Early Termination – Vorzeitige Beendigung
Excess mileage charge – Überschüssige Kilometergebühr
Excess Wear and Tear – Übermäßiger Verschleiß
First Month’s Payment – Zahlung des ersten Monats
Insurance – Versicherung
Lease term – Vertragslaufzeit
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price – Unverbindliche Preisempfehlung des Herstellers
Maintenance package – Wartungspaket
Monthly payment – Monatliche Bezahlung
Option to Purchase – Kaufoption
Residual value – Restwert

"So responsive and a pleasure to deal with"

– Neil from Britain, Ford Explorer

"I highly recommend ExpatRide for anybody looking for a car after making the big move!"

– Andreas from Denmark, Audi A4

We are ready to assist!

    • Start the process before or after you arrive in Germnay
    • We can source VW and Audi models nationwide
    • Personal Car Shopper Service (free service) - saves time and hassle with visiting dealers
    • Competitive interest rate
    • Access to nationwide maintenance program