Leasing is Firmy Established in the German Economy
One Quarter of Total Economic Investment in Equipment
Leasing is of great market importance. A quarter of the total capital expenditure on equipment in the economy as a whole is realized by means of leasing. If installment plan is included, the leasing sector finances almost one third of all equipment investments in Germany. Leasing thus occupies a leading position as an alternative to traditional bank loans and has become an indispensable driver of economic activity and innovation in Germany.
Enabler and companion of the transformation
The 2020s are a decade of setting the course for sustainability, climate neutrality and digitization. The key to successfully managing the upcoming dual transformation to a digitalized economy in a Green Economy lies in new technologies. Innovative technologies have already been introduced and disseminated in markets for decades with the help of the leasing industry. Leasing companies are also in demand as experts in the sustainable transformation, helping to realize investments in "green" technologies, energy efficiency or electromobility. In addition, leasing can play a key role in the circular economy.
Partner of SMEs
The current market study "Leasing in Germany 2025" shows that over 60 percent of companies in Germany consider leasing when planning investments — and around 80 percent ultimately decide in favor of leasing.
For many companies, leasing has long become a key element of their investment strategy — especially in economically challenging times. According to the study, 81 percent of respondents view leasing as an important tool to remain capable of acting despite limited resources. 77 percent confirm that leasing helps them stay competitive. For 74 percent, it is even a fundamental requirement to realize larger investments in the first place.
In times of limited personnel resources, the value of additional services linked to leasing increases significantly. Repairs, maintenance or damage management offered by leasing companies provide crucial relief in daily operations. 58 percent of the companies surveyed say such services create room to breathe — for example, allowing staff to focus more on core business activities. For 65 percent, these services are even a decisive factor when choosing leasing as a financing option.
Market Potential far from Exhausted
A comparison with the USA, where leasing was successfully introduced a decade earlier than in Germany, gives a clear indication of the enormous potential that still exists in the German leasing market. Around 2005, the overall leasing penetration rate in the United States stood at just over 30 percent. It then fell dramatically as a result of the financial crash, and it currently stands at just under 20 percent; however, it is once again trending upwards. In Germany, the leasing penetration rate (Equipment- and Real Estate Leasing) is currently somewhere around 15-16 percent. This figure surely provides an additional incentive for the German leasing industry to bring about permanent improvements to what is already an extremely efficient product. This is how they will achieve even wider acceptance of their services in an already receptive domestic market.