Financing

Financing a car purchase: loan, leasing or cash? (2026)

How you finance a car can change the total cost more than a few thousand haggled off the seller. A private buyer chooses differently than a company — and 2026 brought an important tax change. Below are the three main routes (cash, loan, leasing), the real costs, the tax consequences and a hint on what to choose in your situation.

Three ways to finance — in short

• Cash — simplest, no interest, the car is yours at once; but it ties up capital.
• Car loan or cash loan — for private buyers and companies; the car is yours from purchase, you repay in instalments with interest.
• Leasing — mainly for companies (sole traders, LLCs); the cheapest external financing and tax benefits, but the leasing company owns it until buyout.

Car loan vs cash loan — for private buyers

A car loan is usually secured on the car, so it has a lower APR (RRSO), but may require a down payment and a fixed purpose. A cash loan is unrestricted and flexible, but usually costlier. Watch the APR/RRSO (not just the interest rate — it includes fees and insurance), the down payment, the term and required insurance. Offers differ between banks — compare them rather than taking the first one.

Leasing or a loan for a company (sole trader, LLC)?

Operating leasing is the most popular form in Poland: the car stays the leasing company’s property, you book the instalments as cost, VAT is spread across instalments (better cash flow), and the minimum term is 2 years. A loan or finance lease means the car enters your fixed assets and you depreciate it — you pay VAT upfront. The choice often depends on the car’s VAT rate: with 23% VAT usually operating leasing, with VAT‑margin/8%/contract a leasing loan.

2026 change: a lower cost cap (100,000 zł)

This is the key change of the year. From 1 January 2026 the cap for booking a car as (capital) cost dropped from 150,000 zł to 100,000 zł for combustion cars emitting ≥ 50 g CO₂/km — i.e. practically all petrol and diesel. It stays 150,000 zł for low-emission cars (some PHEVs below 50 g) and 225,000 zł for electric and hydrogen. Any excess above the cap will never be a tax cost. Legal basis: art. 23(1)(4) of the PIT Act and art. 16(1)(4) of the CIT Act. Emissions are taken from the CEPiK database.

Acquired rights: cars entered into fixed assets (cash, loan, finance lease) by the end of 2025 keep the old 150,000 zł cap. Note — for operating leasing and long-term rental the transitional rules do not apply, so from 2026 the new lower cap applies even to contracts signed earlier.

Depreciation and VAT — how the car becomes cost

• Cash / loan / finance lease: you depreciate the car — normally 20% a year (5 years), and for used cars (used ≥6 months before purchase) up to 40% a year (2.5 years).
• Operating leasing: the instalments are cost — the capital part is limited by the cap proportion, the interest part fully, without the cap.
• VAT: 50% for mixed use or 100% only for business-only use (a VAT‑26 filing + mileage log). Running costs: 75% (mixed) or 100% (business).
• Lump-sum tax (ryczałt): you can’t deduct the car from income tax, but a post-buyout sale enjoys a low rate.

Financing for foreigners (residence card)

A bank usually requires: a residence card (ideally permanent or long-term), documented income and a credit history in BIK. A short residence card and no history make a loan harder. In practice leasing is often easier to get (fewer documents, faster decision), especially for companies.

How to choose — a quick guide

• Private buyer: a car loan (cheaper, secured) or a cash loan (more flexible) — compare the APR.
• Company, car up to ~100,000 zł, 23% VAT: usually operating leasing — 100% of instalments as cost.
• Non-VAT payer or car above the cap: compute the proportion — sometimes a loan / leasing loan is better.
• Electric: the best cap (225,000 zł) — the most tax-efficient choice.

Before you finance: check the car’s real value

A loan or lease on an overpriced car is the worst case — you pay interest on an inflated amount. Before signing, check the real market value (VARTOCAR report — 49 zł). If buying from a private seller, also compute PCC 2%, and when importing — the US import cost.

This material is informational and is not tax, legal advice or a financial offer. Confirm current rates and APR with the lender or an adviser.

Need to finance the purchase? Compare loans and accounts: Finumero →

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Leasing or a loan for a company? It depends on the VAT rate and the car’s value. With 23% VAT and a car within the cap, operating leasing is usually better (100% of instalments as cost). With VAT‑margin/8% or a car above the cap, consider a loan or a leasing loan.

What is the car cost cap in 2026? 100,000 zł for combustion cars emitting ≥50 g CO₂/km, 150,000 zł for low-emission cars (some PHEVs), 225,000 zł for electric and hydrogen. Basis: art. 23(1)(4) PIT and art. 16(1)(4) CIT.

Can I get a car loan as a foreigner? Yes, with a residence card, documented income and a BIK history. A short residence card makes a loan harder; leasing is often easier, especially for companies.

Is leasing worth it for a private person? There is consumer leasing, but without a company’s tax benefits. For a consumer a car loan is usually better — compare the APR of both.