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
Rate
0%
Ownership
Immediate
Liquidity
Low
- No interest
- No mandatory comprehensive insurance
- Immediate ownership
- High liquidity tied up
- No tax benefits
Car loan
Ownership despite financing
Rate
4.5 – 9.9%
Ownership
Immediate
Liquidity
High
- Vehicle is yours immediately
- Free choice of insurance
- Early repayment possible
- Higher rates than leasing
- ZEK entry
Leasing
Low monthly payments
Rate
3.99 – 6.9%
Ownership
After purchase
Liquidity
Very high
- Low payments
- Tax deductible (business car)
- Comprehensive insurance usually included
- Comprehensive insurance mandatory
- Mileage cap
- Residual value risk
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.
Gowago
Online comparisonLeasing marketplace
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%
As of 2025, conditions depend on creditworthiness and term. Without guarantee. FlexiMoto is not a financial service provider but refers non-bindingly to the named partners.
Example calculation: BMW X3 30e imported vehicle
Car loan (5 years)
Leasing (4 years, 15,000 km/year)
Non-binding example calculation. Actual conditions depend on creditworthiness, location and provider.
What to check before signing the contract
- Effective annual interest rate (not nominal) – only this rate is comparable.
- 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 for 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.