Here’s the short answer – yes, it most certainly is a possibility to lease a car in the UK without being a UK citizen! But, it’s not necessarily always a straightforward process. Don’t worry though, we’re about to give you the guidance you need to lease a car in the UK no matter how long you’re in the country for…

Why lease a car in the UK?

Vehicle leasing has seen an enormous surge in popularity over recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The fact is, leasing a car at this current point in time has an enormous array of benefits that for most people, UK citizen or not, far outweighs the positive elements of actually owning a car. This wasn’t always the case, but due to dramatic lifestyle changes and the enormous impacts that global events have had on each and every one of our lifestyles, leasing is more practical, more affordable, and more flexible – the three things that are a top priority when it comes to having access to a vehicle, particularly in the UK.

So, why lease a car in the UK if you’re not a UK citizen? Well, you may be travelling to the country for work purposes, remaining in the country for a prolonged period of time. This is an ideal situation for vehicle leasing. You might be surprised to know that even if you’re only in the UK for one month, leasing is also a fantastic transport solution. Regardless of the length of your work contract in the UK, leasing is incredibly useful when it comes to enabling you to get behind the wheel of a high-quality, reliable new car to get you from A to B.

Leasing enables you to avoid having to resort to things like relying on public transport, or even buying a cheap used vehicle to tide you over throughout the duration of your stay. Public transport comes with its own pros and cons, particularly when it comes to consistency and freedom, but with regards to buying a vehicle, it’s simply an impractical option in today’s world (particularly as an international citizen). Leasing does away with the ever-increasing list of negatives of purchasing a vehicle and replaces them with an intelligent, straightforward way to obtain reliable transportation without frustration.

The benefits of leasing

Aside from some of the things we’ve already spoken about above, there are plenty of other benefits to leasing a car in the UK too. For one, leasing can save you a lot of money when it comes to transportation, particularly in comparison to buying a car outright. UK vehicle leases typically include everything you need to drive legally and safely on UK roads, including things like maintenance, accident and breakdown cover, emergency assistance, road tax, a manufacturer warranty, and even insurance. These can often be costly when purchased/organised separately, whereas a lease enables you to get the most out of your money and have everything included, all under one monthly payment.

Then there’s the freedom. A short-term lease is going to be your best option for leasing a car whilst you’re in the UK, as you won’t be tied down with long-term contractual obligations like a conventional lease or vehicle purchase. This is essential, as a short-term lease enables you to end your contract at a time that’s most suitable for you. For example, a 28-day rolling lease contract gives you complete flexibility, as you simply renew your contract on a monthly basis, and you’re able to cancel at any time. You can even change your vehicle on a regular basis if you’re looking for something new and want to keep up to date with the latest models.

What to consider when applying for a UK vehicle lease contract as an international citizen…

Firstly, you’ll need to make sure that you have a UK bank account. This is vital when wanting to obtain a car lease, as lease contracts will generally involve some degree of credit history and affordability check. This is a standard procedure for most providers in almost every country, and the chances are you may require a UK bank account for the work you’re undertaking in the UK (depending on the situation), so this is usually easily covered.

Lease providers may also request a copy of your passport, your driving license, proof of address, and your current employment details to get you started on the process – just make sure to check with your lease provider to find out exactly what you need. It’s also worth noting that most providers will require you to have held your driving license for at least 12 months without any convictions of any kind. Failure to meet these criteria will usually impede your ability to lease a car with many vehicle lease providers in the UK. 

Is insurance a requirement for driving a lease car in the UK as an international citizen?

You will not be able to legally drive in the UK without valid insurance. However, many providers are able to include insurance as part of your lease agreement. If not, then you will have to take out insurance yourself, but be aware that it can be more expensive if you intend to seek out your own insurance policy, as international drivers are seen as a higher risk than UK drivers.

Can you drive in the UK with an international driving licence?

Yes, you can use your international driving licence for up to a year before you need to get a UK licence. If you hold a European licence or an exchangeable licence and intend to become a UK resident, you can swap it for a UK one once you have been a UK resident for 6 months. There is a small fee to cover the cost of the licence changeover.

So, there you have it, a guide to leasing in the UK if you are an international citizen. Although at first the thought of getting a vehicle lease in the UK may seem like a torturous task, it’s actually a lot more straightforward than you might think. We hope this guide has helped you and given some insight into what you need to get a flexible car lease in the UK.