Finance or lease
Which type of financing suits your imported vehicle? We compare cash purchase, loan and leasing with current Swiss conditions and show what to watch out for.
The three payment types
Cash purchase, loan or leasing – each option has its strengths. Find the right one for your import.
Cash purchase
Maximum flexibility
- No interest
- No mandatory comprehensive insurance
- Immediate ownership
- High liquidity tied up
- No tax benefits
Car loan
Ownership despite financing
- Vehicle is yours immediately
- Free choice of insurance
- Early repayment possible
- Higher rates than leasing
- ZEK entry
Leasing
Low monthly payments
- Low payments
- Tax deductible (business car)
- Comprehensive insurance usually included
- Comprehensive insurance mandatory
- Mileage cap
- Residual value risk
| Payment type | Rate | Ownership | Liquidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash purchase | 0% | Immediate | Low |
| Car loan | 4.5 – 9.9% | Immediate | High |
| Leasing | 3.99 – 6.9% | After purchase | Very high |
Financing & leasing via established Swiss partners
FlexiMoto refers – we do not finance ourselves. Via proven external providers like Gowago, Cembra or MultiLease you can get straightforward offers for your imported vehicle – transparent, with no markup and with Swiss conditions.
- Compare offers from several providers
- Contract directly with the financier, no middleman markup
- Also for young drivers and self-employed
Swiss providers & interest rates 2025
A selection of the best-known banks and leasing companies for imported vehicles.
| Name | Offer | Interest rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gowago | Leasing marketplaceOnline comparison | ab 3.99% |
| Cembra Money Bank | Car loan | 4.9 – 9.95% |
| BANK-now | Car loan | 4.9 – 9.95% |
| Migros Bank | Car loan | 4.5 – 7.9% |
| MultiLease | Leasing | 3.9 – 6.9% |
| Cembra Leasing | Leasing | 3.9 – 6.5% |
Example calculation: BMW X3 30e imported vehicle
Car loan (5 years)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Purchase price CH | CHF 55'000 |
| Down payment | CHF 10'000 |
| Loan amount | CHF 45'000 |
| Interest rate (APR) | 6.9% |
| Term | 60 mo. |
| Monthly rate | ~ CHF 887 |
| Total cost | CHF 63'220 |
Leasing (4 years, 15,000 km/year)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Purchase price CH | CHF 55'000 |
| Special payment | CHF 10'000 |
| Residual value | CHF 22'000 |
| Interest rate (APR) | 4.9% |
| Term | 48 mo. |
| Monthly rate | ~ CHF 549 |
| Incl. mandatory comprehensive insurance | + CHF 90 |
Non-binding example calculation. Actual conditions depend on creditworthiness, location and provider.
What to check before signing the contract
| Check | What it means |
|---|---|
| Effective annual interest rate | Only this rate is comparable, not the nominal one. |
| Mileage cap on leasing | Exceeding it costs 10–30 cents/km. |
| Mandatory comprehensive insurance on leasing | Budget an extra CHF 80–150/month. |
| Return condition | A realistic assessment avoids extra payments at the end of the contract. |
| 14-day right of withdrawal | Applies to consumer credit (KKG, Art. 16). |
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance an imported vehicle in Switzerland?
Yes. Swiss banks and leasing companies finance imported vehicles without any issue, as soon as the car has been cleared through customs and registered in Switzerland. Requirements: Swiss residency, sufficient income and a positive ZEK rating.
What is cheaper – leasing or a loan?
A loan is usually cheaper over the full term because you own the vehicle in the end. Leasing preserves liquidity (lower monthly payments) but, including residual value and mandatory comprehensive insurance, is often 10–20% more expensive than buying outright with a loan.
What interest rates are typical in Switzerland in 2025?
Car loans: 4.5–9.95% APR depending on creditworthiness (Cembra, BANK-now, Migros Bank). Leasing rates: 3.99–6.9% APR depending on down payment and term. Tesla, BMW and VW sometimes offer 0% deals for new cars.
Can I finance the vehicle before customs clearance?
As a rule, no. Banks only finance once the vehicle is registered in Switzerland and entered in the Swiss vehicle registration document. Customs clearance must be funded from own resources or a bridging loan.
How high can the leasing payment be?
The Swiss Consumer Credit Act (KKG) limits monthly leasing + loan payments to 33% of disposable income. With a net salary of CHF 6,500, that is approx. CHF 1,200 maximum.
Does FlexiMoto offer its own financing?
FlexiMoto itself is not a financial service provider – but we refer you to established Swiss partners like Gowago, Cembra or MultiLease. On request we obtain offers; you sign the contract directly with the financier. No markup, transparent conditions.