Polish leasing terms explained in English
The Polish words you will meet in leasing offers, contracts and invoices, with their English equivalents and a short explanation. Ordered by the Polish term.
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Short answer
Polish leasing contracts use legal terms from the Civil Code: the finansujący (lessor, the leasing company) buys the asset and the korzystający (lessee, your business) uses it and pays instalments. Offers are usually described by the opłata wstępna (down payment), okres (term), rata (instalment) and wykup (buyout amount). The definitions below are simplified; the contract and general terms always prevail.
A-F
A-F
Amortyzacja - depreciation
Spreading the cost of a fixed asset over time through depreciation write-offs. In an operating lease the leasing company depreciates the asset; in a finance lease you do.
Aneks - amendment
A change to a running contract, e.g. a new instalment schedule. Leasing companies usually charge a fee set in their table of fees.
Autocasco (AC) - comprehensive motor insurance
Insurance of the vehicle against damage and theft. Leasing companies require it for leased vehicles, often with the leasing company as the beneficiary.
BIK, BIG, KRD - credit and debtor databases
BIK is the credit bureau with data on loans and leases. BIG InfoMonitor, KRD and ERIF are business information bureaus recording unpaid debts. Leasing companies check them with your consent.
Cesja umowy leasingu - assignment of the lease
Transferring the contract, with all rights and obligations, to another business. It always requires the leasing company's consent and a new assessment of the taker.
Część kapitałowa i odsetkowa - principal and interest
Each instalment repays part of the asset's value (principal) and pays interest. The split matters for car cost limits, which apply only to the principal part.
Finansujący - lessor
The Civil Code term for the leasing company. In everyday language: leasingodawca or firma leasingowa.
Forma dokumentowa - documentary form
Since 13 July 2025 a leasing contract requires documentary form (art. 709(2) of the Civil Code), so it may be concluded e.g. by exchanging signed documents by e-mail.
G-K
G-K
GAP - guaranteed asset protection
Insurance covering the difference between the compensation from motor insurance and the amount still owed or the original value, e.g. after a total loss or theft.
Harmonogram opłat - payment schedule
The table of instalments with their dates and amounts, part of the contract. With a variable rate, the leasing company sends a new schedule after each rate change.
Homologacja N1 - N1 type approval
Approval of a vehicle as a light goods vehicle. Together with an additional technical inspection, it can mean the vehicle is not a passenger car for tax purposes.
Kaucja - deposit
A security payment, refunded or set against the final payments - unlike the down payment, it is not part of the leasing fees.
Korzystający - lessee
The Civil Code term for the business that uses the leased asset and pays instalments.
Koszt uzyskania przychodu - tax-deductible cost
An expense that reduces taxable income. Net instalments in an operating lease are tax-deductible, subject to limits for passenger cars.
KSeF - National e-Invoice System
The Polish government e-invoicing platform. From 1 February 2026 all active VAT payers receive invoices, including leasing invoices, through KSeF.
L-O
L-O
Leasing operacyjny - operating lease
The leasing company owns and depreciates the asset; you deduct net instalments as costs and pay VAT with each instalment. The contract must last at least 40% of the standard depreciation period (24 months for a car).
Leasing finansowy - finance lease
You depreciate the asset as if you owned it; depreciation and the interest part of instalments are tax-deductible, and VAT on the full value is charged at the start.
Leasing zwrotny - sale and leaseback
You sell an asset you already own to a leasing company and lease it back, releasing cash while continuing to use it.
Limit kosztów samochodu - car cost limit
From 2026: PLN 225,000 (electric and hydrogen), PLN 150,000 (CO2 below 50 g/km) or PLN 100,000 (other passenger cars). See car leasing cost limits.
Najem długoterminowy - long-term rental
Rental of a vehicle, usually with service included in the monthly fee and no buyout at the end. It is not leasing in the Civil Code sense.
Ogólne warunki umowy (OWU, OWUL) - general terms
The leasing company's standard terms attached to the contract, covering fees, security, insurance and termination.
Opłata wstępna - down payment
The first payment, expressed as a percentage of the asset's net price. Sometimes called wpłata własna. A higher down payment lowers instalments and the leasing company's risk.
P-Z
P-Z
POLSTR, WIBOR - reference rates
The reference rate plus the leasing company's margin gives a variable interest rate. WIBOR is being phased out; POLSTR is its designated successor.
Pożyczka leasingowa - leasing loan
A loan from a leasing company to buy an asset that belongs to your business from the start. You depreciate it and deduct the interest.
Przedmiot leasingu - leased asset
The vehicle, machine or equipment covered by the contract.
Przejęcie leasingu - taking over a lease
The other side of an assignment: your business enters an existing contract, takes over the remaining instalments and gets the buyout right.
Rata - instalment
A periodic leasing payment, usually monthly. Offers quote it net (without VAT).
Rata balonowa, wysoki wykup - balloon payment
A high buyout amount at the end of the contract that lowers monthly instalments.
VAT-26 - VAT-26 notification
The form notifying the tax office that a vehicle is used only for business, required for a 100% VAT deduction on a passenger car. Deadline: the 25th day of the month following the month of the first expense.
Wartość rezydualna - residual value
The value of the asset at the end of the contract, the basis for the buyout amount.
Wykup - buyout
Buying the asset from the leasing company at the end of the contract for the buyout amount (kwota wykupu) set in the contract.
Zdolność leasingowa - leasing capacity
The leasing company's assessment of whether your business can afford the instalments, based on financials, history and the asset.
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See also
For partners
Refer clients who need leasing in Poland. Referral protection for 3 months, a share of our revenue under a partner agreement, free for the client.Inquiry
Send one leasing inquiry for your company in Poland: asset, value, legal form and contact details. We pass it to up to three leasing companies on our list.How leasing works
Operating and finance lease in Poland explained: who owns the asset, how VAT and costs are settled, buyout at the end and what leasing companies assess.Foreign-owned companies
Leasing in Poland for companies with foreign shareholders and foreign nationals running a business: what leasing companies check, documents and contracts.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is "leasingodawca" the same as "finansujący"?
Yes. Finansujący is the Civil Code term; leasingodawca and firma leasingowa are used in everyday language and in offers.
Where can I find a fuller list in Polish?
The Polish glossary of leasing terms has about 70 entries. For how the main forms work, see how leasing works.