Portugal stands out in Europe: Factoring grows 11.3% and strengthens the weight of specialised financing in 2025

The Portuguese Association of Leasing, Factoring and Renting (ALF) has just released the European results for the first half of 2025 in the Leasing, Renting and Factoring markets, based on reports from Leaseurope (European Federation of Leasing and Renting) and EUFederation (Europe Factoring Federation), confirming that Portugal is one of the fastest growing European countries in factoring, equipment leasing and vehicle renting, although there have been slight reductions in total production.

Leasing and Renting grow in Europe in the first half of 2025 

According to Leaseurope's half-yearly report, the European Leasing and Renting market reached €202.7 billion in new production, representing a 2.2% increase over the same period last year.

The main European indicators reveal:

•    Total new production: €202.7 billion (+2.2%)

•    Vehicle leasing: €146.4 billion (+5.9%)

•    Equipment leasing: €46.9 billion (-8.7%)

•    Real estate leasing: €5.7 billion (+17.0%)

The report also highlights that car leasing was the main driver of growth, with significant increases in several national markets. Equipment leasing recorded significant declines in some countries, including a drop of -37.5% in Germany, and significant growth, especially in Eastern European countries. Portugal stands out in this segment with growth of 19.4%. Real estate leasing showed significant growth of 17.0%, driven mainly by Belgium and Greece.

Portuguese performance within the European context

•    New Leasing and Renting production: €2.022 billion (-2.6%)

•    Vehicle leasing: €1.307 billion (-2.1%)

•    Equipment leasing: €357 million (+19.4%)

•    Real estate leasing: €358 million (-19.2%)

Despite the slight decline in overall new production, it is worth noting the growth in equipment leasing (+19.4%), and the growth in the number of vehicles in renting – 19,426 (+4.3%) – and its portfolio (managed fleet) with a value of 2.964 billion euros (+12.1%), one of the highest growth rates among European countries.

European factoring grows 2.2%, but Portugal soars 11.3% — the third best result in Europe

The EUFederation reveals that, in the first half of 2025, European factoring reached €1.24 trillion, growing 2.2%.

Portugal stands out with growth more than five times higher than the European average, proving to be one of the most dynamic markets on the continent, with turnover amounting to €23.9 billion.

Portugal remains in the top 3 European countries with the highest penetration in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), together with Belgium and Spain, for this financial product for corporate cash management.

‘The results now released show that Portugal is among the most dynamic countries in Europe in specialised financing. The strong growth of Factoring and the expansion of the Leasing and Renting portfolio prove the confidence of Portuguese companies in these instruments. ALF will continue to work to strengthen this contribution to the competitiveness, modernisation and energy transition of the Portuguese economy,’ says Luís Augusto, President of ALF.