The French Buy Back Lease Plan
Experienced travelers know that the French have hit on a really interesting plan that brings value to travelers from outside the EU who wish to drive around in a brand new car on their vacations. The premise is simple. Let a tourist lease a new automobile, then sell the used car, free of VAT taxes, to a citizen or rental car agency. Everyone benefits. The tourist gets a brand new, never smoked in car for the duration of his vacation for about the same cost as a rental, sometimes even cheaper when insurance is concerned. But he gets the exact model he orders, just as if he were buying the car new.
You have to want the car for three weeks or more to make this all worthwhile, but it's worth it, believe me.
It's also best to pick up your car at a point in France. You can pick up the cars all over Europe, but you'll be charged a bit extra outside of France.
Buy Back Lease Advantages
- Get a new car, fully insured (The car is pre-sold--it has to be right for the next person, so the insurance is top-notch)
- A second family member can drive it free of additional cost.
- You pick the exact model of car--specify a diesel model to save on expensive fuel.
- Unlimited mileage.
- Minimum age 18 years, no maximum age (unlike many rental car agreements).
- You don't have to fill it up before returning it (it won't be full when you get it, but often the pick-up points are gas stations, eliminating that worry).
For other advantages and to check out the offerings, see the buy back lease program of our partner Auto Europe: Peugeot Open Europe.