As a self-employed professional you invest in the things that make your work possible. An excavator, a trailer with a crane, a cement mixer, a food truck, a machine for the workshop — or simply the van you drive to your customers in. Search online for finance and you mostly end up with providers that only do cars. At De Nederlandse Leasemaatschappij (NLM) you can have both: the vehicle and the equipment you actually earn your money with.
Sole traders are welcome too
NLM has been financing business assets for entrepreneurs for over 24 years. Large and small. A one-person business with a single machine is assessed just as seriously as a haulage company with twenty trucks. No separate department for small applications, and no standard rejection because you work without staff.
What you can lease as a self-employed professional
Anything that is an investment and earns back its own money:
Earthmoving and construction equipment
Mini excavators, plate compactors, cement mixers, aerial platforms and other equipment for the building site or the garden.
Trailers and semi-trailers
With or without a crane, new or used, for transport or as a mobile workshop.
Workshop and production machinery
From a machining centre to a packaging line. New or used — both are open for discussion with us.
Food trucks and sales vehicles
Including fit-out and installation, so that one lease agreement gives you a complete vehicle.
Vans and company cars
Passenger cars as well. See our page on business car lease.
Fairground rides and event equipment
A speciality of our house, and something many financiers do not know what to do with.
What we do not do: loose hand tools and small purchases. Our lower limit is € 3,000 excluding VAT. Below that, leasing usually is not worthwhile for you either.
How it works
With financial lease you become the economic owner of the asset from day one. You put it on your balance sheet, you depreciate it, and after the final instalment it becomes legally yours as well — often for a symbolic amount. You pay a fixed amount per month, so you always know where you stand.
For a self-employed professional that has two practical advantages. Your working capital stays available instead of disappearing into a single purchase. And because you capitalise the asset, you can make use of tax schemes such as the Dutch small-scale investment allowance. What that means in concrete terms is explained on our page about tax advantages.
What we need from you
Let us be matter-of-fact about this: we finance on the basis of figures. For an application we look at your annual accounts. If they exist and look healthy, then a sole proprietorship or self-employed structure is no obstacle at all for us.
Have you just started and do you not yet have a full year behind you? That is not an automatic no. In that case we look at each situation individually: what is the asset, what is it worth, what do you contribute yourself, and where does the turnover come from. Feel free to call before you apply — within ten minutes you will know whether it makes sense.
Why entrepreneurs choose us
A dedicated adviser
One point of contact who follows your file from start to finish. No call centre and no intermediary who resells your application to a third party.
We assess in house
The decision is made in Sneek, not at a bank behind us. That means more is possible than you may be used to.
Usually an answer within 24 hours
With a complete application you normally hear where you stand within one working day.
Used equipment as well
Machines and trucks up to twenty years old are open for discussion. Exactly where a bank often drops out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I lease as a self-employed professional without annual accounts?
In principle we need annual accounts. If you have only just started, give us a call. We look at each case individually: the asset, your own contribution and your order book.
What is the minimum amount?
€ 3,000 excluding VAT. We do not finance below that.
Do you finance used equipment?
Yes. In fact, it is one of our specialities. Machines and trucks up to twenty years old are open for discussion with us.
Am I personally liable as a sole trader?
With a sole proprietorship there is no legal separation between private and business. That applies to every form of finance, not only to ours. Our adviser will explain what it means in your situation.
How long is the term?
We match it to the asset. A machine that lasts fifteen years is financed differently from a trailer. Usually between twelve and seventy-two months.
Can I lease a car as a self-employed professional?
Yes. A van, company car or passenger car is financed in the same way as a machine. See business lease for the possibilities.
Tell us what you need and we will tell you honestly what is possible. Fill in the application form or call 0515 - 56 85 10.
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