Leasing, Factoring and Renting sectors record positive growth in the first half of 2025

The Portuguese Association of Leasing, Factoring and Renting (ALF) has just presented its production results for the first half of 2025 for the three products it represents: Factoring, Leasing (Equipment, Vehicle and Real Estate) and Renting.

The data show positive growth across all sectors, particularly Factoring, which is once again experiencing double-digit growth, and Renting, which continues to expand.

Key indicators 

• Factoring – Total production: €23.897 billion

Change compared to the first half of 2024: +11.3%

• Equipment and Vehicle Leasing – Total production: €1.145 billion

Variation compared to the same period in 2024: +5%

• Real Estate Leasing – Total production: €358 million

Variation compared to the same period in 2024: -19%

• Renting – Total production: 19,426 vehicles

Variation compared to the same period in 2024: +4.3%

Factoring recorded a significant growth of +11.3% in the first half of 2025, with a cumulative production of 23.897 billion euros, compared to 21.467 billion euros in the same period of 2024. This result confirms the importance of the product in supporting companies' cash flow and boosting export activity, reflecting a general increase in the use of short-term instruments for liquidity management. 

Export Factoring grew by 10.3% to €2.752 billion and Confirming took credits worth €11.046 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 8.3%.

Equipment and Vehicle Leasing production reached €1.145 billion, an increase of +5% compared to the same period last year. The segment remains dynamic, benefiting from the gradual recovery in productive investment and the modernisation of fleets and equipment, particularly in the automotive and industrial sectors. Real Estate Leasing recorded total production of €358 million, representing a 19% reduction compared to the same period in 2024 (€443 million). This evolution reflects the impact of financing conditions and the slowdown in investment in commercial real estate. Adding the two components together, leasing was responsible for financing investments worth €1.5 billion.

Renting maintained a positive trajectory, with 19,426 new light vehicles registered in the first half of 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 4.3%. The result confirms the vitality of the product, driven by fleet renewal, energy transition and growing adoption of flexible mobility solutions by companies. These new acquisitions represented an investment of €532 million, down 1.2% year-on-year. The total fleet managed by leasing companies amounted to 140,315 vehicles in circulation, an increase of 3.8%.

Of the new passenger vehicles acquired through Renting, it should be noted that 28.8% were 100% electric vehicles and 22% were plug-in hybrids, reinforcing the contribution to green mobility.

The three segments represented by ALF demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of the specialised financial sector. Macroeconomic stabilisation, moderate interest rates and the adaptation of Portuguese companies to new competitiveness requirements underpin the positive performance of Leasing and Factoring, while Renting continues to strengthen its position as a mobility and green transition solution.

"The results for the first half of 2025 confirm the importance of these sectors as drivers of financing and investment. Leasing, Factoring and Renting solutions continue to respond to the needs of economic agents, adapting to a changing economic context. The performance of Renting, in particular, shows the sector's capacity for innovation and response to new forms of mobility" says Luís Augusto, Chairman of ALF.

According to statistics published by Leaseurope, the European Leasing and Renting market remained stable overall in 2024, with investments of €453.7 billion and growth of 3.1%. Portugal's performance in 2024 ranks it as the third fastest-growing country (+18.1%), behind Turkey (+33%) and the Netherlands (+19%).