Car Subscription Without Credit Check in Switzerland – Options & Providers

Car subscriptions are a form of long-term vehicle rental. You pay a monthly fee and get exclusive use of the car for an agreed period. In this sense, a car subscription is similar to leasing. However, unlike leasing or buying a new car, a subscription does not require a long-term commitment. There are flexible contract durations (at CARIFY, for example, from just one month). Another key difference: a car subscription includes all ongoing vehicle-related costs in the monthly fee. This isn’t just convenient—it also helps you manage your monthly expenses more easily.

What many people find particularly appealing: a car subscription without a credit check. This option could allow you to fulfill your automotive dreams even if you have little to no savings—or even debts. In such cases, leasing or financing a new car usually isn’t possible. But is a car subscription without a credit check actually possible in Switzerland?

Are Car Subscriptions Without Credit Checks Available in Switzerland?

Creditworthiness refers to your ability to pay. This takes into account your income, expenses, debts, and past payment behavior. These factors determine whether you're seen as a reliable business partner and whether you can afford the monthly car payment long-term. Credit checks are common for car financing, leasing contracts, and car subscriptions—but less so for car rentals or carsharing. So if you’re dependent on mobility solutions without a credit check, you might still find options. Let’s compare the different mobility models:

Car subscription

• Credit check: Always quick

• Selection: Rough with credit check (makes, vehicle classes, equipment), small without credit check

• Availability: Usually immediate, waiting time possible without credit check

• Price: Moderate installment with credit check, high without credit check

• Down payment: Rare with credit check, possible without credit check

• Included services: Almost always includes all running costs

Car purchase with credit financing

• Credit check: Yes

• Selection: Wide (brands, vehicle classes, equipment)

• Availability: Usually immediate

• Price: Installment amount depends on the vehicle price and terms

• Down payment: Possible

• Included services: None; additional comprehensive insurance is mandatory

Car Leasing

• Credit check: Yes

• Selection: Wide (brands, vehicle classes, features)

• Availability: Usually immediate

• Price: Installment amount depends on the vehicle price and terms

• Down payment: Yes

• Services included: None; additional comprehensive insurance mandatory

Car Rental

• Credit check: No

• Selection: Limited (brands, vehicle classes, features)

• Availability: Usually immediate

• Price: Rental price high, depends on the vehicle and terms

• Down payment: No

• Services included: Yes, everything except the mandatory comprehensive insurance

Car Sharing

• Credit check: No

• Selection: Very limited (brands, vehicle classes, features)

• Availability: Only in cities; may be barely available in suburban areas

• Price: Billed based on mileage and/or time, possibly plus base rate.

• Down payment: No

• Services included: Yes, everything

Car subscription providers must protect themselves from payment defaults—after all, they’re handing out new or nearly-new cars and covering the ongoing costs. For this reason, they need to ensure you can afford your monthly payments. Missed payments are bad for both parties: your debt increases, and the provider may face financial trouble. That’s why car subscriptions without credit checks are rare in Switzerland.

Just Moved to Switzerland? A Car Subscription is Ideal for Expats

For expats car subscriptions are often the easiest way to get mobile quickly in Switzerland—without all the paperwork in a foreign environment. With a subscription, you can explore your new home flexibly. The duration can be adjusted to fit your stay, making it a great solution for people who don’t want or can’t commit to long-term contracts.

Advantages of a Car Subscription Without a Credit Check

Some providers offer car subscriptions even with poor credit. For people with financial problems, this can be a lifeline—especially if they need a vehicle to earn income. A car subscription without a credit check can help get you back on track professionally. But are such offers legitimate? Let’s look at the potential downsides.

Disadvantages & Risks

If someone offers you a car subscription without a credit check, proceed with caution and read the contract carefully. Serious providers like CARIFY always conduct a credit check. This protects both sides: the provider avoids defaults, and you can trust that services will be delivered reliably. Here are the common downsides:

• Higher monthly rate: Without a credit check, providers charge more to cover the risk of default.

• Limited car selection: You won’t get the variety of brands and models offered by top providers like CARIFY. Typically, the selection is limited to older or budget vehicles.

• Fewer providers: Very few companies in Switzerland offer subscriptions without credit checks, which means limited vehicle availability and possible wait times.

Providers of Car Subscriptions Without Credit Check in Switzerland

All major Swiss car subscription providers mention a credit check as a requirement. We only found one provider that explicitly offers subscriptions without credit checks: Emil Frey move.

Some others, like navigas mobility or Zimmerli Auto Abo, don’t mention it explicitly in their terms. Amag, for example, requires a postpaid credit card with 3D Secure enabled. Still, they might conduct a credit check before approval.

When high demand meets limited offers, expect long waiting times and reduced choice.

Alternative Solutions for a Car Subscription Without Credit Check

What if you want a car subscription despite poor credit, but can’t find a suitable provider?

Here are some alternatives:

• Long-term rental: Flexible durations and often no credit check required. But it’s usually more expensive than a subscription. If you're already financially strained, this could stretch your budget too thin.

• Carsharing: Great if you don't need daily mobility. You get access to nearby vehicles from a shared fleet. But it’s mostly available in cities, not ideal for long-distance travel, and not great for professional appearances due to branding on the cars.

• Car loan despite poor credit: Sometimes possible if you can prove your finances are improving or you have a large down payment.

• Leasing with a large upfront payment: Some lessors accept customers with poor credit if they pay, say, 24 months upfront.

• Large security deposit or third-party guarantor: Some providers accept a high deposit or a guarantor with good credit.

Conclusion: Is a Car Subscription Without Credit Check Possible?

Low on cash but need a car? A car subscription without a credit check could be your solution. It’s flexible, and all vehicle-related costs (except fuel) are included—making your monthly budget easier to manage.

Subscriptions are also ideal for expats in Switzerland who want a reliable, presentable vehicle without long-term obligations. Some providers rent to customers with poor credit—but they take a risk and charge higher prices. So these options are better as short-term solutions when finances are tight.

Alternatives like long-term rental or carsharing come with their own trade-offs: high costs or poor availability. For those with bad credit, it can be hard to find a mobility solution that’s affordable and meets your needs. Huge down payments or inflated rates just add to the problem.

One solution: borrow a large deposit from family or use a guarantor with good credit.

At CARIFY, positive credit is a requirement. But if a car is the key to improving your financial situation, talk to us directly. We might find a solution:

📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: +41 43 588 22 01
💬 WhatsApp: +41 77 281 58 99

Maybe we can help you get a car subscription after all.