The leasing industry in Serbia is expected to surpass €1 billion in financed goods in 2024, reflecting its growing role in supporting SMEs and sustainable mobility. Digitalisation and green initiatives are shaping the future of leasing, aligning with global trends and local needs
Leasing in Serbia is set to achieve a historic milestone in 2024, with projections indicating the industry will finance over €1 billion in goods for the first time. This remarkable growth highlights leasing as a vital financial instrument, particularly for micro, small, and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs), which represent the majority of clients in the sector. According to Ivan Jauković, President of the Serbian Association of Leasing Companies (ALCS), the value of newly signed contracts grew by 30% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, underscoring the sector’s importance in driving economic growth.
Passenger vehicles dominate Serbia’s leasing market, accounting for over 40% of all financed goods, with commercial vehicles and buses contributing an additional 35%. As Serbia works to modernise urban mobility, leasing is pivotal in financing public transport upgrades, taxi standardisation, and the adoption of electric delivery vehicles. However, the country lags behind Europe in EV adoption, with just 1% market penetration compared to Croatia’s 5%. A lack of charging infrastructure remains a challenge, though ambitious government plans aim to expand the network significantly in the coming years.
Leasing also plays a critical role in Serbia’s green transition, enabling access to environmentally friendly technologies such as EVs and energy-efficient machinery. Since 2017, leasing companies have been key partners in government programmes supporting MSMEs, with over RSD 5.5 billion in financial leasing approvals to date.
Digitalisation is reshaping the leasing industry in Serbia, with processes increasingly streamlined to enhance efficiency and user experience. Contracts are now signed digitally within minutes, reducing time and resource demands. This transition reflects a broader move towards paperless operations and adherence to ESG principles, aligning the sector with modern standards and sustainability goals.
With a 30% increase in the value of new agreements and continued investments in digitalisation and green initiatives, the Serbian leasing industry is poised for sustained growth. This milestone year highlights its crucial role in advancing mobility, economic development, and sustainability.