Why is it difficult at the bank?
Banks often want to see two years of annual accounts. As a freelancer you don't always have them, even though you do have jobs and revenue. We work with lenders who look further: at your bank statements, your jobs and your experience.
What you gain as a freelancer
- VAT back on a VAT car. At € 30.000 incl. VAT that's over € 5.200.
- Interest and depreciation lower your profit and therefore your income tax.
- KIA on a van: 28% of the investment.
- Your working capital stays free, for your jobs instead of tied up in your car.
What you need
- KvK registration
- Bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months
- ID document
- An order confirmation or invoices help, especially as a starter
How much can you borrow as a freelancer?
That depends less on your revenue than you think. Lenders mainly look at three things: how long you've been registered, whether your income comes in regularly and whether the monthly instalment fits what happens on your business account. A rule of thumb: the instalment shouldn't be more than about 15 to 20% of your average monthly revenue.
| Price incl. VAT | 48 mo | 60 mo | 72 mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| € 20.000 | € 383 | € 321 | € 281 |
| € 30.000 | € 574 | € 482 | € 421 |
| € 40.000 | € 765 | € 642 | € 561 |
| € 50.000 | € 956 | € 803 | € 701 |
VAT car, financing excl. VAT, 10% balloon payment, 9,0% interest. Indicative.
Van or passenger car as a freelancer?
For many freelancers in construction, installation and logistics, a van is the smartest choice for tax: VAT back, KIA, low road tax and often no bijtelling. If you mainly drive to clients and carry little equipment, an (electric) passenger car makes more sense. Calculate the difference with the net cost tool.
Tax rules for freelancers
- If the car is on your balance sheet, you correct for private use with the bijtelling in your profit. Bijtelling for freelancers (zzp).
- The self-employed deduction (zelfstandigenaftrek) is € 1.200 in 2026. Your car costs lower your profit, and with it your tax.
- Under the small business scheme (KOR) you can't reclaim VAT on your car. A margin car is then often just as good.
Common mistakes
- Choosing too high a balloon payment, leaving you with a big sum to pay at the end.
- Private and business mixed on one account: that makes your bank statements harder to assess.
- Buying a car before the financing is in place.
From application to keys
- Application (2 minutes). Enter your business, your contact details and the vehicle. Haven't chosen a car yet? You can add it later.
- Proposal. We submit your application to the lender that best suits your situation and send you a proposal with the interest rate, monthly instalment and balloon payment.
- Documents. Usually an ID, a KvK extract and a few bank statements. You upload them securely on your personal status page.
- Sign digitally. Once approved, you sign the contract online.
- Payout and collection. The lender pays the seller directly. You collect the car.