Long Term Car Lease France: A Comprehensive Guide

Leasing a car for the long term in France can be a great option, especially if you're planning to stay in the country for an extended period. You can lease a car for 2 to 5 years, depending on the contract.

In France, you'll typically need to pay a deposit, which can range from 1,000 to 5,000 euros. This amount will be deducted from the total cost of the lease.

The monthly lease payments can vary depending on the type of car and the lease duration. For example, a 2-year lease on a compact car might cost around 300 euros per month, while a 5-year lease on a luxury car could cost over 1,000 euros per month.

The good news is that long-term car leases in France often come with lower mileage limits, which can help you save money on fuel costs. For instance, a 2-year lease might have a mileage limit of 15,000 kilometers per year, while a 5-year lease might have a limit of 10,000 kilometers per year.

You might like: 6 Month Car Lease Uk

Leasing in France is a great option for those who plan to stay in the country for an extended period. You can rent a car by the month or longer, and the longer the rental, the lower the daily rate.

Supermarket SuperU advertises rentals for six months from €5 a day, and comparison sites like rentalcars.com and rentacar.fr can help you find a good deal.

However, be aware that hidden extras like usage allowance and insurance conditions may apply. Insurance will cover third-party damage, but you may still be liable for up to €1,000 of damage to the vehicle.

Leasing a car in France can be cheaper and easier than renting, especially for tourists from outside the European Union. The Renault Eurodrive Buy-Back Lease program is designed for such travelers.

Here are some benefits of leasing a car in France:

It's worth noting that leasing companies like Renault often provide a "Bon Voyage" email with essential information about the car, including pickup and drop-off details.

The short-term tax-free car leasing program in France has been around since the 1950s, devised to stimulate French tourism and the automobile industry. This program allows visitors to Europe to become the first registered "owner" of a brand new French automobile, fully insured and supported by a full factory warranty.

You'll get precisely the car model you choose, with registration and insurance in your name. This means you essentially own the car, but only for the duration of the lease. To participate, you'll need to complete a couple of pages of paperwork and make a small upfront payment, which is often cheaper than the cost of an "equivalent" car rental.

Here's a summary of what's included in the lease program:

Note that the vehicles in the tax-free short-term leasing program are left-hand drive vehicles, meaning the steering wheel is on the left.

The French government's short-term tax-free car leasing program is a clever way to stimulate French tourism and the automobile industry. It was devised in the 1950s to encourage visitors to Europe to drive a brand new French car.

Under this program, you get to choose a brand new car model, with registration and insurance in your name. The leasing company takes care of the paperwork and insurance, making it a hassle-free experience.

The program is often referred to as a "buy-back" agreement, but don't let that scare you - it's not as complicated as it sounds. You'll need to complete a short contract with the leasing company, which will be e-mailed to you after you submit your order.

Here's a breakdown of what's included in the lease program:

The program also includes comprehensive insurance, with zero deductible for collision and damage. This means you can drive with confidence, knowing you're protected in case of an accident.

Leasing a car can be a fantastic option for many people, and one of the biggest advantages is getting to drive a brand-new car and benefit from the latest technologies and trends.

You can 'test-drive' the car for a few years before deciding whether it's really for you, which is a great way to see if it fits your lifestyle.

Routine car maintenance and pricey repairs are a thing of the past with an LLD or LOA, as most contracts include an 'entretien' (maintenance) package.

The flexibility of an LLD contract is another big plus, allowing you to negotiate a monthly fee that suits your budget.

This means your monthly payments will likely be lower than with a standard car loan.

For those who lease under a business contract, monthly payments can be even lower and potentially tax deductible.

Here are some of the key advantages of an LLD or LOA:

With a long-term car lease in France, you have the option to sign a contract that's specifically tailored to your needs. This type of contract is called LLD or LOA.

You get to drive a brand-new car and benefit from the latest technologies and trends, potentially giving you the opportunity to drive a car that you couldn't afford to purchase outright. This is a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest models and features.

You'll also avoid the hassle and cost of routine car maintenance and pricey repairs, partly because you're driving a new car and partly because most contracts include an 'entretien' (maintenance) package. This can save you a significant amount of money over the life of the lease.

Recommended read: Trading in a Leased Car for a New Lease

One major disadvantage of an LLD or LOA is that you'll pay more for the car overall if you decide to buy it at the end of the lease. This is because you'll still have to pay the remaining balance of the lease, which can be a significant amount.

You'll also need to pay to insure your car, which can add up quickly. And, not everything is included in the maintenance package, so you'll need to budget for things like new tyres.

You don't own the car during the lease contract, which can be a drawback for some people. You'll also need to stay under the pre-determined threshold of kilometres/year, which might not be suitable for high-mileage drivers.

Be sure to check the small print carefully to understand exactly what is and isn't covered in the maintenance package. This will help you avoid any unexpected expenses.

Here are some key disadvantages to consider:

You'll also need to return the car in a suitable condition, which can be a challenge if you have young children, pets, or use your car for off-roading or work activities. This is something to carefully consider before signing a lease contract.

An LLD or LOA contract allows you to drive a brand-new car and benefit from the latest technologies and trends. This can be a great opportunity to test drive a car before deciding if it's for you.

With an LLD contract, you can negotiate a monthly fee that suits you, which will likely be lower than a standard car loan. This flexibility is a significant advantage of leasing a car.

It's essential to understand what you're getting into before signing a contract. Make sure you know exactly what's included in the maintenance package, known as a contrat d'entretien. This package may be included or offered at an additional cost.

A good contrat d'entretien should include basic maintenance, but be wary of pricier or additional packages. It's also your responsibility to cover any scratches or dents using your insurance.

Be aware of the annual mileage or kilometrage in your contract, as going over this can lead to steep penalties. Choose a contract that matches your average annual kilometres.

Here are some key things to consider when signing an LLD/LOA contract:

Leasing a car in France can be a cost-effective option, especially for extended periods. The total car expenses for 6 weeks in France were much less than budgeted.

Renault's Eurodrive Buy Back Lease costs $1797 (Cdn) for 6 weeks. Gas and tolls added up to $730 Cdn, which was less than expected due to the lack of autoroutes in the areas traveled.

The cost of gas was around 1.60 € ($2.50 Cdn) per litre, which contributed to the lower-than-expected gas and toll expenses. This is something to keep in mind when budgeting for gas and tolls.

Here's a breakdown of the lease costs and expenses:

As long as you're getting a car for a minimum of 21 days, leasing is worth considering. However, be aware that the refund and cancellation periods are stricter than when booking a rental car.

The leasing process is surprisingly straightforward. You only need to complete a couple of pages of paperwork after booking, which is a breeze.

You'll also make a small upfront payment, which is likely to be cheaper than the cost of an equivalent car rental. This payment is commensurate with the lease cost, and our online order software makes it completely transparent.

To complete the leasing process, you'll need to send a scanned copy of your passport via email, along with the contract that will be emailed to you after submitting your order.

On a similar theme: 0 down Payment Car Lease

You only need to present your driver's license and passport upon pick-up, and a domestic driver's license will suffice throughout France if you're at least 18 years old and have held a valid license for at least one year prior to the pick-up date.

Technically, certain European countries like Austria, Italy, and Spain require an International Driving Permit (IDP) for non-European residents, but you can contact the relevant tourist office, consulate, or embassy to confirm.

You can obtain an IDP from your national automobile club for a nominal price, using your domestic driver's license, two passport-sized photos, and cash. It's sold for around 10 minutes of your time and is a means for police in a foreign country to verify your domestic driver's license.

The vehicle leasing company doesn't care whether or not you have an IDP, but it's up to you to cover yourself in this regard.

Picking up and dropping off a leased car is a crucial part of the leasing process. You must call at least 3 days in advance to arrange for pick up or drop off.

The process is designed to be efficient, and the instructions are clear. For example, at the Marseille airport, the Renault rep drives you to the depot, has you sign papers, and sets you up with your car.

You'll want to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information before pick up. The GPS has already been programmed with the drop off location, so you can focus on getting familiar with the car.

A fresh viewpoint: Off Lease Car

Here's a step-by-step guide to the pick up and drop off process:

The drop off process is also seamless, with a free shuttle service available to take you to the airport or other designated locations.

You should receive a "Bon Voyage" email 10 days before picking up the car, which covers the pickup and drop off of the car. This email will help you organize your long trip and put your mind at ease.

Consider booking your lease car early, as there could be discounts available. I booked my car before April 1 and received a discount, which was a nice surprise.

You'll be notified what car you'll be getting, so download the car's manual in advance, just in case. I downloaded the manual for my Dacia Sandero Stepway, but I didn't need it in the end - the car ran perfectly.

Add the Renault emergency numbers into your smartphone in advance, so you have them easily accessible. This way, you'll be prepared in case of any issues with your car.

If your leased car has a red license, you may be more prone to break-ins. To avoid this, consider keeping a French language newspaper in the car, or removing the cover apron from the trunk so that nothing is visible.