More and more Poles are choosing to rent rather than buy a car. This option provides flexibility, helps avoid high maintenance costs, and fits into the global trend of shared mobility. The shift is visible both in cities – where cars are rented by the minute or hour – and in tourism, with strong demand for camper vans. Companies are also increasingly using subscription-based car rentals. However, the rapid growth in demand does not always translate into healthy finances for rental businesses.
An Industry Struggling with Debt
According to data from BIG InfoMonitor’s Debtor Register and the BIK database, in June 2025 the overdue debt of companies offering vehicle rental and leasing reached PLN 250.9 million. This is PLN 57.5 million (29.7%) more than a year earlier. Already 1,906 firms – nearly one in seven in the sector – are facing financial problems. The average debt per company exceeds PLN 131,000.
The collapse of car-sharing operator Panek in spring 2025 shows that even well-known brands are not immune to financial difficulties.
Camper Vans – Holiday Hit With Debt in the Background
The pandemic transformed the camper van market. In 2021, registrations hit a record 4,832 vehicles. Although growth slowed afterwards, caravaning remains hugely popular, and many companies have invested in camper rentals.
Yet debt is rising in this segment as well. BIG InfoMonitor data shows that overdue liabilities of firms renting camper vans nearly doubled between 2022 and 2025, reaching PLN 65.5 million. The average arrears of an indebted company rose to over PLN 144,000, compared with PLN 96,000 two years earlier.
Seasonality and High Costs Undermine Stability
Experts point out that the key challenge for the industry is seasonality. Demand for car and camper rentals spikes in the summer, but outside the season companies face dramatic drops in revenue. Meanwhile, leasing installments, insurance, servicing, and parking costs must be paid year-round.
“The vehicle rental market, including camper vans, is characterized by unstable revenue streams. Combined with rising costs and intense competition, this leads to problems with maintaining financial liquidity,” notes Paweł Szarkowski, CEO of BIG InfoMonitor.
Long-Term Rental – A Growth Driver
Against the challenges in short-term rentals, long-term rental of passenger cars stands out. According to the Polish Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (PZWLP), sales of new cars in this formula rose 9.1% in the first half of 2025, while the entire market grew 7.6% year-on-year. While businesses remain the main customers, individual clients are increasingly using this option as well.
Popularity Doesn’t Equal Profitability
The history of Poland’s vehicle rental sector shows that rapid growth and popularity do not always translate into stable profits. Falling service prices combined with rising fleet maintenance costs make scaling difficult, especially for new companies founded during the boom.
To stay afloat, firms need to implement effective risk and liquidity management practices, including verifying the payment reliability of contractors. Without this, it is easy to fall into a debt spiral – even in an industry that seems to have a bright future.
Source: CEO.com.pl
