Car leasing without a “debt trap”: the government has simplified re-registration and removed a key obstacle
2 January 20:16
On January 1, 2026, new rules for re-registering cars purchased on financial lease came into effect in Ukraine. The government has changed its approach to registering such cars so that drivers who have already paid the full cost of the car no longer depend on the financial problems of leasing companies.
The relevant changes are enshrined in the Cabinet of Ministers’ Resolution No. 1727, adopted at the end of December, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
What exactly has changed
Previously, the re-registration of a car could be effectively blocked if the lessor was included in the Unified Register of Debtors. Even after the full payment of the car, the driver could not register it for himself because of the debts of the company with which the contract was concluded.
Now this mechanism has been revised. The government has defined the situation with financial leasing as an exception: the presence of a leasing company in the register of debtors is no longer a reason to refuse re-registration.
What is the main effect?
The key change is the protection of the rights of the actual owner of the car. If a citizen has fully complied with the terms of the financial leasing agreement and paid the full cost of the vehicle, he or she can freely re-register the car in his or her name at the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Thus, the state has separated the responsibility of the lessor from the rights of the person who has already paid for the car.
How is the re-registration process going now?
To register ownership at a service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you must submit a standard package of documents
- application (filled in on the spot);
- passport of the owner or his/her authorized representative
- registration number of the taxpayer’s account card (RNOKPP);
- financial leasing agreement and documents confirming full fulfillment of obligations;
- vehicle registration certificate;
- receipt of payment for administrative services.
Why this decision is important
Financial leasing remains one of the most popular ways to purchase a car in Ukraine, particularly for small businesses and private drivers. The new rules reduce legal risks for clients and make the system more predictable.
In effect, the government has recognized that the problems of leasing companies should not become the problems of people who have fulfilled their obligations in good faith. This decision can increase confidence in leasing instruments and simplify the lives of thousands of car owners.
