Equipment leasing in: what interest rates do banks and leasing companies offer?

What is equipment leasing and why is it more profitable than a loan?

Equipment leasing is a financial service that allows a business or individual to use equipment, cars or special equipment without paying the full cost up front. Unlike a loan, where you become the owner of the property from the first day, in leasing the equipment remains the property of the lessor until full purchase. This reduces the tax burden and simplifies accounting for companies.

The main advantage of leasing over a loan is lower interest rate (on average 2–5% per annum) and the ability to take leasing payments into account as expenses when calculating income tax. For individuals, leasing is often the only way to purchase expensive equipment (such as an excavator or truck) without a large down payment.

However, the leasing percentage depends on many factors: the type of equipment, the term of the contract, the borrower’s credit history and even the region. Next, we will look at what rates are relevant in 2026 and how to reduce them.

Current interest rates for equipment leasing in 2026

In 2026, average equipment leasing rates in Russia range from 8% to 22% per annum, depending on the category of equipment and terms of the transaction. For comparison: in 2023, the range was wider - from 7% to 25%, but due to changes in the key rate of the Central Bank and tightening requirements for borrowers, the minimum rates increased.

The variation in interest rates is explained by the risks of the lessor: the more expensive and specialized the equipment, the higher the rate. For example, leasing passenger car for a taxi it will be cheaper than leasing mining dump truck - due to the difference in liquidity and service life.

Type of equipment	Minimum rate, %	Maximum rate, %	Average leasing term
Passenger cars (taxi, car sharing)	8–12%	18%	3–5 years
Trucks (vans, tractors)	10–14%	20%	3–7 years
Special equipment (excavators, bulldozers)	12–16%	22%	5–10 years
Agricultural machinery (tractors, combines)	9–13%	19%	5–8 years
Construction equipment (cranes, concrete mixers)	14–18%	24%	4–7 years

Important: rates below 10% per annum are available only for companies with a turnover of 50 million rubles per year or with government support (for example, leasing under the “Made in Russia” program). Individuals and individual entrepreneurs are usually offered rates starting from 14%.

What determines the leasing interest rate?

Leasing companies assess risks before approving a transaction. The higher the risk of non-payment, the more expensive the equipment will be. Here are the key factors influencing the rate:

• 📊 Borrower's credit history: the presence of delays or a low scoring score will increase the rate by 3–7%.
• 🚜 Type and age of equipment: new equipment is cheaper to lease than used equipment. For example, leasing 2026 KAMAZ will cost 4–5% cheaper than KAMAZ 2018.
• 💰 Down payment amount: a contribution of 30% reduces the rate by 1–3%. The minimum contribution (10–15%) leads to maximum interest.
• ⏳ Leasing term: Short contracts (1-2 years) have higher rates than long-term contracts (5+ years).
• 📍 Registration region: in Moscow and St. Petersburg, rates are 1–2% lower than in regions with a high level of non-returns.

Also affects the price presence of collateral or surety. If you provide additional collateral (such as real estate or a surety from a business owner), the rate may be reduced by 2-4%.

How to reduce the interest rate on equipment leasing?

There are several legal ways to reduce overpayments. Firstly, compare offers from 3–5 leasing companies. The difference in rates between them can reach 4–5%. Secondly, use government support programs:

• 🏛️ Leasing under the "Made in Russia" program: rate from 5% for domestically produced equipment (for example, GAZon Next, Kirovets K-744).
• 🌾 Agroleasing: for agricultural producers, rates have been reduced to 7–9% when purchasing tractors or combines.
• 🚛 Leasing for small businesses: companies with a turnover of up to 800 million rubles can receive a rate of 8% through partner banks (SberLeasing, VTB Leasing).

Additional ways to save:

1. Increase your down payment to 30–50%. This will reduce your monthly payment and overall overpayment.
2. Choose a longer leasing period (if the equipment is not obsolete). For example, for JCB JS220 excavator the optimal period is 7 years.
3. Take out CASCO insurance from the lessor's partner company - this often gives a 0.5–1% discount.

Compare offers from 5+ companies|Check participation in government programs|Increase the down payment|Choose the optimal contract term|Arrange for insurance from the lessor's partner-->

Hidden fees and pitfalls in a leasing agreement

Many borrowers are faced with unexpected costs that were not disclosed at the application stage. For example, early repayment fee can reach 5% of the debt balance. Or payment for contract extension (if you decide to buy the equipment later than planned).

Please pay attention to the following points in the contract:

• 📑 Late fees: usually 0.5–2% of the payment amount for each day of delay.
• 🔧 Mandatory maintenance: some companies require servicing only at their service centers, which is 20–30% more expensive than the market.
• 🚗 Restrictions on mileage/hours: for trucks, a limit of 150–200 thousand km per year may be set. Exceeding will result in fines.
• 💸 Redemption payment: sometimes its size is not fixed in the contract, but is calculated using a formula at the time of redemption.

Hidden commission example

The leasing agreement may contain a clause regarding an “account management fee” in the amount of 0.3% of the monthly payment amount. Over 5 years, this will add +15–20% of the original cost of the equipment to the overpayment.

⚠️ Attention: If the contract states that the equipment becomes your property only after full payment everyone payments (including fines and commissions), this may mean that if there is a delay, the lessor has the right to withdraw it even after paying 90% of the cost.

Leasing vs credit vs rent: which is more profitable for equipment?

The choice between leasing, credit and rent depends on the purpose of using the equipment and financial capabilities. Let's compare the three options using a purchase example MAN TGS truck worth 12 million rubles:

Parameter	Leasing	Credit	Rent
Interest rate	10–16%	12–20%	—
Down payment	10–30%	20–50%	0–10%
Tenure period	3–10 years (with buyout)	Immediately owned	Without right of repurchase
Tax benefits	Payments are written off as expenses	Depreciation and interest are written off	Payments are written off as expenses
Risk of obsolescence	Low (you can return it and get a new one)	High (your technique)	Missing

Leasing is more profitable than a loan if:

• You need equipment for 3-7 years, after which you plan to update it.
• You want to write off payments as expenses (for business).
• You don't have a lot of initial capital.

A loan is better if:

• You are sure that the equipment will last 10+ years without loss of value.
• You have the opportunity to pay 40–50% at once and reduce the overpayment.

Top 5 leasing companies with low rates in 2026

Based on an analysis of offers from leading lessors, the best conditions in 2026 are offered by:

1. SberLeasing:
   • Rate from 8,5% for SberBank clients.
   • Down payment from 10%.
   • Duration up to 84 months.
2. VTB Leasing:
   • Rate from 9% for agricultural machinery and trucks.
   • State programs with subsidies (for example, Agroleasing).
3. Gazprombank Leasing:
   • Rate from 8,9% for domestically produced equipment.
   • Preferential conditions for Gazprombank clients.
4. Raiffeisen Leasing:
   • Rate from 10% for foreign technology (for example, Volvo, Scania).
   • Flexible early repayment terms.

Rosselkhozbank Leasing:

• Rate from 7% for agricultural producers.
• Duration up to 10 years for combines and tractors.

⚠️ Attention: The indicated rates are relevant for borrowers with an ideal credit history and business turnover of 30 million rubles per year. For individual entrepreneurs and individuals, interest rates will be 2–5% higher.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about equipment leasing

Is it possible to lease used equipment?

Yes, but the rate will be 3–7% higher compared to new equipment. Most leasing companies work with equipment no older than 5 years (for trucks - up to 7 years). An independent assessment of the condition of the equipment will also be required.

What should I do if I can’t pay my lease?
In case of temporary financial difficulties:
1. Contact the leasing company with a request for restructuring (increasing the term or reducing payments).
2. Offer alternative collateral (for example, another asset as collateral).
3. If the equipment is not needed, return it to the lessor (in some agreements this is possible without penalties).

Ignoring payments will lead to seizure of equipment and lawsuits.

Is it possible to lease back equipment early?

Yes, but this usually comes with fines. Most contracts stipulate early termination fee - from 5% to 20% of the balance of the debt. Some companies (for example, SberLeasing) allow you to hand over equipment without penalties if you lease a new one from them.

What documents are needed to formalize leasing?

For legal entities:

• Statutory documents (OGRN, INN, extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities).
• Accounting statements for the last year.
• Documents for collateral (if required).

For individuals:

• Passport and second document (SNILS, driver's license).
• Certificate of income (2-NDFL or according to the bank form).
• A copy of the work record book (for hired workers).

What is operational and financial leasing?

Financial leasing — the equipment becomes your property after all payments have been made (most often used for purchases).

Operational leasing — you pay only for the use of equipment, without the right to purchase (analogous to a long-term lease). The stakes are higher, but there is no risk of obsolescence.