"I was considering operating leases," a colleague will tell you over coffee. You reply, "Are you clear on that?"
Maybe that's the case for you, too. Having a reliable car is a necessity for many entrepreneurs and city drivers. But at the same time, owning a car comes with a number of responsibilities - from securing insurance, to servicing inspections, to ever-increasing operating costs.
That's why more and more people are opting for operating leasing, a modern way of using a vehicle without having to buy one. Who does it make sense for - and who doesn't?
What exactly does operating lease mean ?
In a nutshell: It's a long-term lease of a vehicle, during which you have a new or nearly new car at your disposal, while avoiding all the hassles that come with car ownership.
Depending on your needs, you can choose between a flexible operating lease for 2 to 12 months or a classic operating lease for 24 to 96 months. This gives you complete freedom in your planning - whether it's a short-term bridge period, seasonal business or long-term use of the vehicle.
It sounds convenient - and it often is. Especially if you opt for a service that covers the complete package:
● Insurance (PZP, breakdown, theft),
● service, maintenance, replacement of worn parts,
● seasonal tyres, re-treading and storage,
● 24-hour roadside assistance,
● handling of registration fees, road tax, vignette,
● online collection, contract signature and digital acceptance report.
From the user's point of view, this is a solution that saves time, energy and administrative burden.
Why is leasing advantageous for entrepreneurs ?
For individuals and legal entities doing business in the Slovak Republic, operating leasing has a number of practical and tax benefits:
● Monthly rent is a fully tax deductible expense. There is no need to depreciate the car, as is the case with ownership.
● The vehicle does not appear on the balance sheet, which can positively affect the economic indicators of the company.
● Leasing frees up capital - no one-time investment is required to purchase the vehicle.
● AVIS Lease handles all servicing and operational issues, including the handling of insurance claims.
In practice, this means that the entrepreneur can concentrate on their business and leave mobility to the professionals.
A meaningful solution even for the city driver
For residents of cities like Bratislava, car ownership is increasingly becoming a burden - whether due to limited parking options, constantly changing parking policies or high costs with low vehicle utilisation rates.
Operational leasing is ideal for those who:
● drive between 10,000 and 50,000 kilometres per year
● want a reliable, worry-free, new vehicle every time,
● do not want to deal with technical inspections, servicing or tyre changes,
● they want to optimise their budget and accounting,
● they do not have a constant need to own a vehicle, but want to have access to a car whenever they need it,
● appreciate flexibility - for example, being able to return the car after a few months without a commitment,
● use the car mainly for commuting within the city, where compactness and low consumption are important.
What vehicles are available ?
AVIS MaxiRent offers a wide range of vehicles, from city cars to family estate cars and business vans. The range includes brands such as:
● Skoda, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Dacia, Honda, Volvo, Citroen
● as well as various types - hatchbacks, SUVs, automatics, petrol and hybrid models.
All cars are new or very little driven and regularly serviced in authorized service stations. You can choose the length of your lease, normally 12, 24 or 36 months.
The recommended reliable and economical car is the Peugeot 208 ALLURE 1.2 Hybrid 110 hp. Thanks to the combined power of the petrol engine and electric motor, it offers a nimble drive with fuel consumption in the range of 4.5-5.2 l/100 km. The vehicle's compact dimensions make it ideal for city driving, but it can also comfortably handle longer routes. Modern design, a high-quality interior and technologies such as the digital i-Cockpit® provide the driver with a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.
Did you know ? AVIS is one of the world leaders in car rental, operating since 1946 and active today in more than 165 countries.
How is the fitting ?
The whole process is set up to be practical and comfortable:
● Vehicle selection is done online in real time,
● the contract can be signed remotely,
● a digital acceptance report is available,
● the vehicle is ready for use without unnecessary delays.
If a problem arises - whether technical, insurance or organisational - the customer has 24/7 support and an immediate car exchange is possible.
The most common questions people ask
Is leasing better than buying a car ?
Yes - especially if we take into account all the hidden costs that are associated with car ownership: insurance, maintenance, loss of value, tire service, taxes or administration. Leasing allows transparent cost planning without unexpected expenses.
What is the difference between an operating lease and a finance lease ?
Financial leasing leads to ownership - you pay off the car and at the end of the term it becomes your property. With an operating lease you are just a user - you return the car and can take a new one.
When does leasing not make sense for me ?
Leasing is not worthwhile if you only need the car on an exceptional basis - then a short-term, as-needed leasemakes more sense. It's also not ideal if you plan to modify the car to suit you or keep it for the long term, for example for 10 years or more - in which case it's more worthwhile to buy the car outright.
What happens if the car breaks down ?
AVIS MaxiRent provides fast assistance and will provide a replacement vehicle if necessary. All repairs not caused by the driver's own fault are included in the monthly fee.
Can I write off the lease against my taxes ?
Yes. For sole traders and businesses, the full amount of the monthly lease is tax deductible. Since it is a service and not an asset, the lease does not affect depreciation or the balance sheet.
Are tyres and changing them included ?
Yes. Your premium package includes a winter set, changing, balancing and storage.
Can complications arise with resident cards ?
One of the practical limitations to be aware of when operating leases in an urban environment is the resident parking policy, for example in Bratislava. The latter is directly linked to:
● the permanent residence of the applicant,
● the apartment where the permanent residence is registered,
● and the specific motor vehicle.
In order to obtain a parking card, the resident has to prove his/her relationship to the vehicle in question. In the case of a lease, this is not automatic. According to the rules, the user must meet at least one of the following conditions:
1. be the owner of the vehicle (or his/her spouse),
2. have the vehicle registered to their trade,
3. use the employer's vehicle for private purposes as well,
4. be a statutory employee of the company and use the company's vehicle also for private purposes,
5. or use the vehicle under a leasing contract with an authorised leasing company.
In the case of an operating lease from AVIS MaxiRent, this condition is legally fulfilled as it is a contract for hire-purchase from a registered company. Nevertheless, we recommend that you check in advance how quickly and without complications the municipality or the parking manager will recognise this form of relationship with the vehicle. In practice, this can sometimes mean longer paperwork or the need to complete documentation.
Who is an operating lease ideal for ?
● For business owners who want to keep costs under control and don't want to tie up capital.
● For sole traders who want to simplify their accounting and optimise their taxes.
● For city dwellers who need a car occasionally but want to drive reliably and without risk.
● For anyone who wants comfort, precision and clear terms and conditions.
Often these are people like Milan - a technician who commutes to jobs every day and needs a reliable, worry-free van, or Zuzana - a manager who uses her car mainly for business meetings and doesn't want to deal with servicing, insurance or depreciation. Even for smaller companies with a mobile team or courier services that need multiple cars at once, we are the ideal solution.
Is sustainability important to you ?
AVIS is actively involved in green projects and is expanding the range of hybrid and electric vehicles in its fleet.
If you're looking for a reliable and eco-friendly car to lease, the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line 1.5 eHybrid from AvisMaxirent is a great choice. It offers a modern plug-in hybrid powertrain, low running costs and stylish design. The lease is flexible, and you have the option to buy the car back or trade it in for a new one at the end. A great solution for those who want a worry-free driving experience with the benefits of a hybrid.
Leasing is a smart decision for today
At a time when ownership patterns are changing, administrative burdens are increasing and vehicle maintenance costs are rising, operating leasing is a practical and economical mobility solution.
AVIS MaxiRent offers quality vehicles, transparent terms and a professional approach that ensures the client can rely on their mobility without unnecessary stress.