Car Subscription for the Self-Employed: Flexible Mobility Without Commitment

A car subscription is like a Swiss Army knife for self-employed individuals who need reliable mobility—it offers flexibility, cost transparency, and minimal hassle. Thanks to freely selectable terms (with CARIFY from 1 month to up to 48 months), you can meet every mobility need of your business accordingly. You always have a clear view of the costs and don’t have to worry about anything else: all running costs are included in the subscription. Read here about the advantages of a car subscription compared to leasing for the self-employed.

What Is a Car Subscription?

A car subscription for the self-employed is a form of long-term rental: you subscribe to the vehicle of your choice and use it exclusively during the subscription period. This distinguishes it from car sharing, where all registered users have access to any vehicle in the pool.

After the minimum contract term ends, you return the vehicle or extend the subscription—as needed. The monthly fee already includes all running vehicle costs. This differs from:

• Leasing: Self-employed individuals are tied to a vehicle for several years. In addition to leasing payments, they must pay ongoing costs like tax and insurance. Depending on the leasing model, a high final payment or compensation for depreciation may apply.

• Financing: Those who finance a vehicle for their business must also pay ongoing costs on top of the monthly installments. The vehicle also depreciates significantly in the first few years, often forcing business owners to keep it longer than needed.

Advantages of a Car Subscription for the Self-Employed

A car subscription is the ideal mobility solution for the self-employed. You can subscribe to exactly the type of vehicle you currently need—for a short or long period. Here’s why this model offers more benefits than leasing:

Cost Control

Costs are transparent for self-employed individuals—no hidden fees, no down payments, and no balloon payments. You define the subscription according to your needs (duration and mileage) and can optionally add extras like home delivery or a premium insurance package with no deductible. All of this results in a clear monthly fee: one price, everything included!

Included services:

• ✓ Regional registration

• ✓ Repairs

• ✓ Liability insurance

• ✓ 24h roadside assistance

• ✓ Comprehensive insurance

• ✓ Swiss motorway vignette

• ✓ Vehicle tax

• ✓ Maintenance & inspection

Even in case of an accident, your no-claims bonus remains unaffected.

Flexibility

Not every self-employed person needs to be constantly mobile. With a car subscription, you only pay for the time you need a vehicle. At CARIFY, you can book from 1 to 48 months. Need a van for a short-term project? No problem. You only pay for the period you actually use the car.

Tax Advantages

Of course, car subscription costs can be tax-deductible if the vehicle is used for business. The monthly rates are considered business expenses.

No Residual Value Risk

Unlike leasing, a car subscription carries no residual value risk. With leasing, if the car is worth less than expected upon return, you may owe compensation. Not so with a subscription—you return the vehicle, no strings attached.

Tax Considerations & Depreciation

You can deduct car subscription costs as a business expense—but with some conditions:

• 100% business use: The full monthly fee is deductible.

• Mixed use (mostly business): You must specify the percentage split. Business use must exceed 50%. Only the proportion used for business is deductible. This can be recorded using a logbook or calculated with a flat-rate method (more convenient and popular).

• Primarily private use: You must keep a logbook and claim business trips separately using the applicable mileage rate.

Each logbook entry should include:

• Date

• Departure and destination

• Purpose (e.g., meeting with client X)

• Odometer reading at departure

• Odometer reading upon arrival

• Reason for any detours

Tax Comparison: Car Subscription vs. Leasing

Both leasing and subscription models don't count the vehicle as business property, but the monthly payments are tax-deductible in proportion to business use.

Important: A car subscription isn’t a capital asset and therefore cannot be depreciated. Only the monthly payments, which include all running costs, count as expenses.

Car Subscription vs. Leasing – Which Is Better for the Self-Employed?

Whether you finance a car, lease, or choose a subscription depends on how much you want to invest upfront and how flexible you want to be. Comparing subscriptions with leasing, the differences are clear:

As a self-employed person, you’ll appreciate the low administrative burden: no need to handle taxes or insurance—CARIFY takes care of services and maintenance. You can also opt for extras like home delivery or pickup for service appointments.

Car Subscription Costs for the Self-Employed

Interested in the costs? CARIFY offers full transparency. Once you pick your car, you’ll see exactly what to expect. You can configure your subscription based on:

• Duration: From 1 to 48 months. The longer the term, the cheaper the rate.

• Mileage: Tailor your kilometers to your actual driving needs.

• Insurance: Want a premium package with no deductible? You’ll be fully covered without surprises.

A big benefit is the ability to lower costs quickly. Unlike leasing, subscriptions don't lock you into long contracts. With CARIFY’s Flex Program, you can continue using the vehicle after the minimum term on a monthly basis with 14 days' notice.

With the Fixed Program, your subscription also renews automatically unless you cancel it (14 days’ notice). However, the provider may reclaim the car after the minimum term with 30 days’ notice. If that happens, CARIFY helps you find a new subscription vehicle—so you stay mobile.

Did You Know?

With CARIFY’s Try & Buy program, you can test-drive a car for up to 6 months with no commitment. If you choose to buy, you’ll get 100% of the subscription cost (minus tax and insurance) refunded.

• Say yes? Awesome—congrats on your new car!

• Not the right fit? No worries. Just return it and pay only the regular subscription fee for the test period.

Conclusion: Is a Car Subscription the Right Choice for the Self-Employed?

At CARIFY, self-employed individuals can choose from a wide selection of vehicles across all classes, brands, and features. In addition to new cars, there are many affordable young used cars—something for every budget.

Car subscriptions are often the most affordable option for the self-employed. Freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, and small business owners often don’t have the capital to finance a car. A subscription requires no down payment and carries no residual value risk.

It also offers full cost transparency—no extra payments for taxes or insurance like with leasing. Flexibility is another huge advantage. If you only occasionally need a business vehicle or to transport goods, a subscription can be much cheaper.

And finally, there’s the low administrative burden. CARIFY handles all appointments and logistics so you can focus on your business. That peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.