Long-term car rental or leasing: which is better value?

01How long-term rental works

You rent a car for 12–60 months and pay a fixed monthly instalment. The instalment usually includes insurance, inspections, servicing and often tyres. When the contract ends, you hand the car back and can take a new one, with no worries about selling it or losing value.

In our database, servicing is included in 58 of 107 offers, insurance in 37 and a replacement car in 29. Offers available to private individuals: 45; offers for businesses only: 14.

02How leasing is different

Leasing is first and foremost a way of financing. The instalments pay off the value of the car, and at the end you can buy it out for an agreed amount. You usually pay for insurance, servicing and tyres yourself, unless you add a service package.

Leasing usually requires an initial payment. Long-term rental often does not: in our database, 34 offers have no deposit or upfront fee.

03How much long-term rental costs

We found an exact monthly instalment in 30 offers. The cheapest costs 730 zł per month, the most expensive 3 197 zł, and half of the offers are cheaper than 1 611 zł.

The instalment depends on the car model, the contract length (longer usually means a lower instalment), the annual mileage limit and the initial payment. When comparing offers, check whether the price is net or gross (netto/brutto): business offers often quote net amounts.

04Mileage limit and returning the car

60 of 107 offers in our database have a mileage limit. You pay an extra fee for each kilometre over the limit, so choose a limit with some margin: changing it during the contract can be more expensive.

When you return the car, the company assesses its condition. Normal wear and tear is included in the price, but you may have to pay for larger scratches, dents or damaged upholstery. Take photos of the car at pick-up and before returning it, and ask for a handover report (protokół).

05Which to choose

Long-term rental is more convenient if you want a fixed monthly cost, do not want to deal with servicing and change your car every few years. Leasing is a better fit if you want to own the car at the end or you drive a very large number of kilometres.

Business owners can count the instalments as business costs in both cases, but the tax rules for passenger cars have limits and keep changing, so talk to an accountant before deciding.

06What to check in the contract

• the contract length and the cost of ending it early
• the annual mileage limit and the price per kilometre over the limit
• what exactly the instalment covers: third-party liability and comprehensive insurance (OC/AC), servicing, tyres, assistance, a replacement car
• the initial payment and the deposit
• how wear and tear is assessed when the car is returned
• whether the price is net or gross

07How to compare offers on NajemAuto

In the Long-term & subscription category you can filter offers by price, fuel, gearbox and what is included, and compare selected cars side by side. Always confirm the terms on the company's website before signing a contract.