Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
non-European Union citizens are not subject to these extra taxes. Some wise guys thought,
“hey, let's lease brand new cars to non-EU citizens and then have them 'sell' the car back to
us after a few weeks. Then the car will technically be 'used' and not subject to the 20% tax.”
Now there are multiple companies who do this buy back lease program and they sell them to
businesses and car rental companies once the car is returned. Pretty clever.
BENEFITS TO SHORT-TERM LEASING
• You can save hundreds when compared to a traditional car rental.
• Like that new car smell? Your car comes straight from the factory.
• You get full comprehensive insurance (collision, fire, theft-of-vehicle, vandalism, and
act-of-God) with zero deductible. The insurance is good in almost every European
country.
• You only have to be 18 to lease a car.
• No extra taxes or surcharges.
• There are usually multiple pick-up/drop-off locations so you don't have to end your trip
at the same location as you started.
• No fee for extra drivers.
• Unlimited mileage.
• Factory warranty and 24/7 roadside assistance.
DISADVANTAGES
• The car needs to be leased for at least seventeen to twenty-one days (depending on the
auto company).
• These programs are usually based in France, so you normally have to pick up and drop
off your car in France. Most companies allow you to drop the car off outside France for
an additional charge, but you don't have as many location options compared to a large
rental-car company.
SHORT-TERM LEASE COMPANIES
There are a handful of reputable companies who offer the buy back program and they all
operate similarly—IdeaMerge (
ideamerge.com/motoeuropa
), Europe by Car (
europebycarb-
log.com
), Renault USA (
renaultusa.com
)
, AutoEurope Peugeot Program (
autoeurope.com/
Rideshares and Hitchhiking
