In 2024–2026, at least 65 billion rubles will be allocated from the federal budget to finance the preferential car loan program. According to the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this will allow the sale of more than 330 thousand domestic cars. We tell you how the government program works, which models can be purchased with a discount, and who can take advantage of the benefit.
Government Program for Car Purchase in Russia
The state program of preferential car loans is an initiative designed to support primarily domestic car manufacturers. To do this, program participants receive a discount when buying on credit (this is a mandatory condition) certain car models, the list of which is determined by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The program began in 2017. Subsequently, its validity was repeatedly extended. However, in practice, it was periodically suspended due to the rapid expenditure of budget funds allocated for its implementation, which was associated with high demand for it.
The program, according to the law, operates in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation. However, in practice, financial organizations, the list of which is approved annually by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, are not always present in every region. To get the necessary information, you can contact dealers through their websites or by phone.
Terms of the Government Program in 2025
In 2025, the program will continue to operate for certain categories of the population. For example, employees of medical institutions, workers in the educational field, people with disabilities.
Under the program, the basic discount on a car is 20%, and for residents of the Far East — 25%. For electric vehicles, the discount is 35%, but not more than 925,000 rubles.
The preferential car loan program with state support will be valid until 2026.
This program provides an opportunity to purchase a car on credit with a government subsidy. The maximum down payment is 35% of the cost of domestically produced electric vehicles throughout Russia. For cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE) in the Far East, the subsidy is 25%, and in other regions — 20%.
The state does not pay the subsidy directly to the buyer, but transfers it to the bank after the conclusion of a loan agreement. The buyer pays 20, 25 or 35% less than the cost of the car.
The program will be valid until the funds allocated for it run out. To participate in it, you must meet certain requirements, including the characteristics of the car.
Conditions for participation in the program:
1. The buyer must have a valid driver's license.
2. The purchased car must be of a Russian brand. The exception is the Chinese brand Haval, but only if they are assembled at the company's plant in the Tula or Kaluga regions.
3. The purchased car must be new (2023 or 2024 model year).
4. The maximum weight of the purchased car should not exceed 3.5 tons.
5. The cost of the purchased car, taking into account its configuration, should not exceed 2 million rubles (for electric vehicles — any cost).
6. The loan is provided for a period of up to 7 years, but in practice most banks provide it for 3 years, which leads to an increase in the amount of monthly payments.
7. The initial payment is from 10% of the cost of the purchased car.
8. For the duration of the loan agreement, a pledge agreement and a comprehensive insurance agreement are concluded. At the same time, banks often offer to issue an expensive extended comprehensive insurance. Whether this is beneficial for the buyer is up to him to decide.
9. The buyer has not concluded and does not plan to conclude other loan agreements for the purchase of a car in 2025 during the current calendar year.
List of Cars under the Government Preferential Car Loan Program
The list of vehicles includes the following brands:
- Lada — all models, with the exception of Lada Largus;
- UAZ — all models belonging to category B;
- GAZ — all models belonging to category B;
- Haval, manufactured in Russia;
- «Moskvich 3» — crossover.
List of electric vehicles that can be purchased:
- Evolute i-PRO;
- Evolute i-JOY;
- «Moskvich 3e».
What Documents are Needed to Participate in the Government Car Purchase Program?
To participate in the government program, you must provide the following documents:
- original, copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
- original and copy of driver's license;
- application for participation in the government program (the form is issued by the bank);
- certificate from the traffic police confirming the absence of car registration in your name (some banks request this information on their own);
- written obligation not to conclude other loan agreements for the purchase of a car in the current year;
- other documents (SNILS, TIN, 2-NDFL certificates, etc.) necessary for processing any loan;
- documents confirming the status of a medical worker in a non-profit institution, teacher (employment record, certificate from the place of work), mobilized person or disability.
Participation in the Government Program
Contact a dealer to apply. This will save time, as car dealership employees send applications to several financial organizations at the same time.
It is necessary to provide a package of documents specified above. After that, you need to wait for the bank's decision. The process of reviewing an application for a preferential loan can take up to 30 days.
If the application is approved, a sales contract and a loan agreement are concluded. After that, the bank automatically transfers funds to the car seller's account. After оформление the loan, it is necessary to pay for the comprehensive insurance policy.
Then you need to register the car with the traffic police. The vehicle title should be returned to the bank, where it will be stored until the loan is fully repaid.
The terms of the program do not provide for restrictions on early repayment. There are no similar restrictions for the bank either. The borrower can fully repay the loan at any time, even the day after purchasing the car.
Preferential car loans can be a great way to save money. Even if the bank offers additional services, you can always refuse them.
In 2024, the Russian automotive industry demonstrated a significant rise. According to Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, this growth amounted to 30 to 40%. In 2025, car factories are actively preparing to launch new models.
At the same time, experts warned that in 2025 Russia is expected to see a sharp increase in car prices. According to forecasts, the cost may increase by 30–50%.
An especially sharp increase in prices is expected in the second half of 2025. It will affect both new and used cars. Denis Migal, vice president of the Association "Russian Automobile Dealers" (ROAD), recommended that Russians who plan to change cars postpone the purchase until better times.
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