Application & Approval

What are the requirements to qualify for a lease car?

  • Advance payment

    With private lease, it is possible to make an advance payment. This helps lower your monthly costs and also reduces the amount registered with BKR. The maximum advance payment is 50 percent of the total contract value.

    Example

    You have selected a contract term of 60 months. The lease price for your chosen car, without an advance payment, is €369 per month.

    Your total contract value is: 60 months x €369 = €22,140

    Fifty percent of €22,140 is €11,070

    So in this case, you can make a maximum advance payment of €11,070

    Your actual advance payment will be fully deducted from the amount registered with BKR.

  • How long does the (financial) approval process take?

    After you have submitted the required documents for the credit check, we aim to give you the result within a few working days.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • Which documents do you need for financial approval?

    In most cases, we will need the following documents:

    • Your most recent payslip

    • A bank statement showing your salary deposit and housing costs (such as rent or mortgage payment)

    • A copy of a valid passport

    • A copy of a valid Dutch driving licence

    If you have been employed for less than 12 months or have a temporary contract, we will also need an employer’s statement. After you submit your application, we will let you know by email exactly which documents are required for your specific situation.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • Can someone else act as a guarantor for me?

    Would you like to lease a car but do not meet the financial requirements? Then it is possible to have someone act as a guarantor for your lease contract. This could be a family member, friend or someone else you trust.

    The contract will be entirely in your name. The guarantor only signs a separate guarantee agreement. If this is an option for you, please note that the income check will be based on the guarantor's financial situation. The guarantor will not receive a BKR registration.

    Feel free to contact us for more information. We are happy to help you further.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • What is the minimum or maximum age to lease a car?

    At DirectLease, we do not make a big deal about your age. Our private lease is for everyone. All we ask is that you:

    • Have a valid driving licence

    • Live in the Netherlands

    Do you live in Belgium? Then we kindly refer you to our colleagues in Belgium. Curious about which private lease cars they offer? Have a look at their website.

    Fun fact: our oldest customer is already well over 80 years old.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • What are the requirements for private lease?

    We want to help as many people as possible get behind the wheel, so we do not have strict requirements. You just need to meet the following conditions:

    • You have a valid driving licence

    • You live in the Netherlands

    Do you live in Belgium? Then we kindly refer you to our colleagues at DirectLease Belgium. Curious about their private lease offers? Have a look at their website.

    What happens after you apply?
    Once you submit a lease application and meet the basic requirements, we will carry out a credit check. We follow the standards set by the Dutch Association of Finance Companies (VFN). This means we look at your fixed expenses (such as housing costs and BKR registrations) and your total income (including benefits or alimony).

    So there is no fixed income requirement — it depends on your full financial situation.

    What documents do we need for the credit check?

    • A copy of your valid driving licence

    • A copy of your most recent payslip

    • A recent bank statement showing your income and housing costs

    A BKR check and registration are also part of the process. Want to know more about how private lease and BKR work? Check our private lease and BKR page.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 760

  • Is everyone eligible for private lease?

    Yes. Anyone can apply for private lease with DirectLease. Whether you are a student, retired or self-employed. A credit check is always part of the approval process.

    To get approved on your own, you need to have a minimum net income of approximately €1,600 per month based on a permanent or open-ended employment contract.

    Temporary employment
    If you have a temporary contract but your employer intends to offer you a permanent one, we may treat this as a permanent contract. You can show this by providing an employer’s statement. In some cases, a temporary contract is enough on its own if your income is sufficient. Contact our Sales team to find out if an employer’s statement is needed in your situation.

    Deposit or guarantor
    If your credit check is not approved, there are still options. You may still qualify with the help of a deposit or guarantor.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • I run my own business. Can I lease a car privately?

    Yes. If you own a business, you are eligible for private lease. A credit check is part of the approval process. To qualify, you must:

    • Have a valid Dutch driving licence

    • Live in the Netherlands

    Do you live in Belgium? Then we kindly refer you to our colleagues at DirectLease Belgium. Curious about their private lease offers? Visit their website to explore the options.

    What do we need for the credit check?

    To start the credit check, we need:

    • A copy of your valid driving licence

    • A copy of your most recent annual financial report (including profit and loss statement)

    • Your Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration number

    A standard BKR check and registration is also part of the process. Want to know more about private lease and BKR? Check out the private lease and BKR page on our website.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: +31 541 571 760

  • I am a student and receive student finance. Can I lease a car privately?

    In principle, everyone can apply for private lease. However, an income assessment is part of the approval process, as required by law. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to count student finance as income in this check.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • I am unemployed. Can I still lease a car?

    Yes. Whether you are employed or receive benefits, you may still qualify for a lease car. We assess your financial situation based on your income, housing costs, any existing BKR-registered loans and your household situation.

    If the credit check is positive, you can sign a lease contract with us. Want to know more about how private lease and BKR work? Check our private lease and BKR page.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • I have a BKR registration. Can I still lease a car?

    A BKR check is part of our financial approval process. It is one of the factors we consider. Having a BKR registration is not a problem on its own.

    However, if there is an active negative BKR coding, we unfortunately cannot offer you a private lease car.

    Want to know more about how private lease and BKR work? Visit our private lease and BKR page.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760

  • Can I trade in my own car for a lease car?

    Thinking about leasing but still own a car? With us, you can trade in your car. Within a few days, we will provide you with a trade‑in offer for your vehicle.

    To qualify, we ask you to email the following:

    • Clear photos (inside and outside)

    • Make, model, variant

    • Licence plate number

    • Current odometer reading

    • Any special notes (damages such as stone chips, scratches or dents)

    Want to sell your car quickly?
    That’s also possible through our partner. Receive a free and non-binding offer within 1 day.

    Questions?

    Email us: sales@directleaseprivate.nl
    Call us: 0541 571 760