You are most likely here because you have been asked to get a Schufa report to rent an apartmentin Germany, orbuying a car, or heard about credit score forapplying for a Credit card. So here is everything you wanted to know about Schufa, and more!
What is aSchufa Credit Score?
A credit score is a value based on an analysis of a person’s credit files to represent thecreditworthinessof an individual. Lenders use this to evaluate the potential risk or how likely you are to pay back the loan, or rent,or credit card bill. Acredit score is primarily based on acredit reportinformation fromcredit bureaus.
In Germany, the credit score is tracked and maintained by the credit agencySchufa Holding AG, which is an abbreviation of “shotz communityfproduceallgemeine Kreditsicherung”, roughly translated in English to “general credit protection agency.” So the terms such as “Schufa score”, “Schufa report”, or “Schufa rating”, refer to your credit information, also called “Schufa Auskunft” in German.
When applying for an apartment, you will likely be asked to provide a Schufa Auskunft to determine if you are creditworthy and capable of paying your monthly rent.
A Schufa record is automatically created for every resident in Germany at the time of registering in Germany for the first time or when you open a bank account or sign up for a mobile phone contract.
Now comes the chicken and egg situation. You might not be able to open a bank account without a registered address, and you cannot get an apartment without a Schufa, and you won’t have a Schufa record without a bank account. So how can you overcome this problem?
Try to explain to the landlord that you are new to Germany, and there might not be a Schufa record on you. Otherwise, try to register the address of your temporary accommodationhotel / Airbnb / friend’s apartment and open a bank account. Once you are able to open an account, you will have a Schufa record which you can use to get an apartment.
How to get a Schufa report
There are different ways to obtain the Schufa report depending on how much information you need.
To order a Schufa report, have these documents handy:
- Bank account details
- Your residence registration
- Passport (and a copy if you apply by post)
For renting an apartment, the landlord needs something called a “SCHUFA-BonitätsAuskunft” which will provide only the relevant basic information of credit score which is needed for renting apartments andwill protect other entries which include private information.For your personal use, you can order a complete report including all the private information as well as every entry which is on your credit score.
Basic Schufa report
You can get your basicSchufa credit reportusing one of the options below:
- Order atmeineschufa.de.They send the certificate via post to your registered address, so it will take a couple of days to get your report. Alternatively, you can fill a paper form in English (pdf) and send the form by post along with a copy of your passport and address registration certification.
- Online atImmobilienScout24: You can get theSchufa credit reportonline from the flat-finding serviceImmobilienScout24. You can download and print the report yourself. You will need to pay using your bank account so that they can verify it is you before giving you the report. It will take a few hours to a couple of days depending on if you used SOFORT bank payment, transfer or other debit instruction for your payment to go through and you get the report.
- In-person at one of the participating Branches ofPostbank and Volksbank:You will need your Address registration certificate and your Passport. They will verify your details and give you a report that will be printed for you.
Complete Schufa report
- Free Schufa Report: You are entitled to a free Schufa Report once a year. You will have to fill anonline form in Germanandupload a copy of your passport and your address registration certification.
- Online Account at Meineschufa.de: You can keep a track of your Schufa record with a paid online account atmeineschufa.deand check it anytime you wish.
Using the free Schufa report instead of the Schufa credit report?
The Schufa Bonitätsauskunft has security features that indicate it is an original document in order to avoid tampering. Therefore, the landlords prefer this version instead of an online printout or a paper copy of your free report.
Also, the free Schufa Report you get once a year has all the information Schufa has about you. This includes your credit score, personal information such as past addresses, number of bank accounts including account numbers, ID numbers, loan accounts or other telephone accounts. But the Schufa Bonitätsauskunft only indicates if it is positive or not, it does not include personal information or the credit score. Therefore, providing the information on the free report to an unknown third party is risky and can lead to identity theft.
How to order free Schufa report?
It’s your right to get your complete Schufa credit report free once each a year
Estimated time14 days.
Free Schufa Report: You are entitled to a free Schufa Report once a year. You will have to fill andupload a copy of your passport and your address registration certification.
- Select the correct application
In the Schufa websiteMeineschufa.de, look for the option “Data copy (according to Art. 15 GDPR)” at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, you can go directly to theonline form in German.
Note: Careful not to select a paid option, as Schufa would try to upsell you their paid services.
- Fill the form
Enter your personal details, including your registration address and your previous address.
- Upload documents
To verify your identity, you will need to upload a copy of your passport and your address registration certification. The documents are sent only to your registered address.
Keeping track of your Schufa
It is always good to keep track of your credit score. It’s your right to get your complete Schufa credit report free once each year. You should use free right to keep a tab on your report any incorrect information.
But if you are planning to get a mortgage, it is recommended to apply for an online account atMeineschufa.deand keep a track of your record. You can see the requests which on your credit report, sign up for email notification whenever a request is made, and immediately report any false report. This will not only ensure that your credit requests are up to date, but you can also see if any identity theft occurs.
The advantages of having an account atMeineschufa.deare:
- SCHUFA information online anytime: Check the information that is stored relating to your creditworthiness and identity at SCHUFA
- Immediate Notification by email on any credit-related inquiries or changes to your own creditworthiness and identity.
- Discount or freeSchufa credit report.
MySchufa online service
There are three mySCHUFA products (compact, plus, and premium) and it costs either €3.95, €4.95 or €6.95 each month depending on which option you select. All the three has a one-time set-up cost of €9,95.
1. mySCHUFA Compact:
This is the basic version of the online account and is recommended for single people.
- Costs €3,95 per month
- Check your information online anytime and free notification of any changes
- One Schufa credit report each year for €14.95
- Recommended for single people
- Read more information here
2. mySCHUFA Plus:
This is an intermediate version with an added advantage of identity protection.
- Costs €4,95 per month
- Check your information online anytime and free notification of any changes
- Identity Protection Services
- One Schufa credit report each year for €14.95
- Read more information here
3. mySCHUFA Premium:
As the name goes, this is a premium version with a free account for a partner for one year, so highly recommended for couples.
- Costs €6,95 per month
- Check your information online anytime and free notification of any changes
- Free mySCHUFA Plus accountfor a partner for one year (Recommended for couples)
- Identity Protection Services
- One free Schufa credit report each year, and others for €14.95
- One freeSchufa check on a company, useful if you have a business or a freelancer and want to check if the contracting company can pay your bills.
- Read more information here
Understanding your Schufa Report
What information are available with SCHUFA
SCHUFA processes the following categories of personal data (personal data, payment behaviour and contract loyalty):
- Personal data, e.g. name (possibly also previous names, which will be provided on a separate application), first name, date of birth, place of birth, address, previous addresses
- Information on the acceptance and contractual execution of a transaction (e.g. checking accounts, instalment loans, credit cards, garnishment protection accounts, basic accounts)
- Information about undisputed, due and repeatedly demanded or titled claims and their settlement
- Information about abusive or other fraudulent behaviour, such as identity or credit ratings
- Information from public directories and official announcements
- Score values
Positive information:Positive information is information on contractual behaviours, such as
- Current Accounts
- Credit Cards
- Mobile contracts with the term
- Leases
- Loans
- Mail-order shopping accounts
This information is evidence that companies trust a person and have provided credit.More than 90% of the people have only positive contract information.
Negative information:Notes for non-contractual behaviour are, for example,
- a loan that was written off by the bank due to an inability to pay
- defaults of loan payment
- information from public debt directories. These entries are made when you fail to pay a bill (e.g., doctors bill or lawyers) or a fine (e.g., public transport or police fine) even after they get a court order (a Mahnbescheid).
SCHUFA hasnoinformation about:
- Wealth and income
- Marketing data (buying behaviour or similar)
- Job details
- Life attitudes and memberships (for example, religious, political)
- Marital status
- Nationality
How long does the entry remain on SCHUFA record?
It depends on the type of entry on the report, some stay longer than the other.
| Information entry | How long it stays in your record |
|---|---|
| Wrong, incomplete or outdated entries | Should be deleted immediately upon request |
| Ongoing contracts or accounts (such as mobile phone contracts, Bank accounts etc.) | Once the account has been closed |
| SCHUFA inquiries or credit check made by other companies (hard check) | 12 months |
| Paid off loans | 3 years after repayment |
| Credit card accounts | 3 years after ending the contract |
| Late bills/credit payment | 3 years (end of the calendar year), 4 years if not resolved. |
| Courtorders (Payment order,warrants, bankruptcy proceeding, asset freezing, etc) | 3 years |
FAQ on SCHUFA
When is a SCHUFA account created?
A Schufa record is automatically created for every resident in Germany at the time of registering in Germany for the first time, or when you open a bank account or sign up for a mobile phone contract.
How can I order a free Schufa Credit Report?
You will have to fill anonline form in Germanandupload a copy of your passport and your address registration certification.
Can I download my free Schufa Credit Report?
Yes, but due to the confidentiality of personal data, you can only download your data once you have received them by post.
In the post, you will be provided with information that can be used to retrieve a digital copy of your credit report from the websitewww.elektronische-datenkopie.de.
How often can I order a free Schufa Credit Report?
You are entitled to a free Schufa Report once a year.
How long does it take to get a free Schufa Report?
If you ordered a free Schufa Report, it would take about 3 weeks
Can I give my free Schufa Report instead of Schufa Auskunft to the landlords?
The Schufa Bonitätsauskunft has security features that indicate it is an original document in order to avoid tampering. Therefore, the landlords prefer this version instead of an online printout or a paper copy of your free report.
What is a good SCHUFA score?
In order for you to be able to interpret the SCHUFA scores and their significance better, SCHUFA has based the probability of fulfilment on a uniform assignment in the following risk categories:
> 97.5% very low risk
95% – 97.5% low to manageable risk
90% – 95% satisfactory to increased risk
80% – 90% significantly increased to high risk
50% – 80% very high risk
<50% very critical risk
A compliance probability of 95% indicates that the likelihood that a customer makes payments in accordance with the contract is 95%.
In other words, according to statistics, 95 out of 100 people would pay reliably.
What data are used to calculate SCHUFA score?
The SCHUFA Scores is calculated based on the data stored about a person at SCHUFA, including the number and type of credit activities, any defaults, or information about when you have experience dealing with credit transactions.
SCHUFA has no information on your nationality, income, marital status, or financial circumstances.Therefore, these data are not included in our scores.
Why is a paid-out loan still on SCHUFA record?
Paid-out loans without payment defaults remain for a period of exact day three years to the date.
Example: If you paid the last loan instalment on 20.01.2015, it would be deletedon 19.01.2018.
For you as a consumer, this can be an advantage to take a new load as the bank would notice and appreciate you have already paid a loan properly and on time.
In case of a premature or contractual settlement of loans, it identifies you as a reliable borrower.
FAQs
Schufa Credit Score Report in Germany - Banks Germany? ›
The maximum Schufa credit score is 100 points. The higher it is, the more creditworthy the person. For the default risk to be considered very low to manageable, the score should be at least 95 points. The risk of default is considered to be increased from as low as 90 points.
Do I need a German bank account for SCHUFA? ›Important to know. The Schufa score does not depend on your income, only on your behavior! For foreigners, the issuance of a SCHUFA report is usually only possible if you have already lived in Germany for some time and have a German bank account.
How do I get my SCHUFA score in Germany? ›How do you apply for your Schufa score? Once a year, you're entitled to a free Schufa report. To get yours, just fill out the form on their website and provide copies of your passport and registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung). You can also order your credit report by calling the Schufa customer service.
Can non Germans get SCHUFA? ›It's actually not so complicated to get your SCHUFA score as a non-German speaking expat. However, you can only get a SCHUFA score once you've registered in the city, meaning that you need to technically be living somewhere in Berlin already.
How do I check my credit score in Germany? ›Order at meineschufa.de. They send the certificate via post to your registered address, so it will take a couple of days to get your report. Alternatively, you can fill a paper form in English (pdf) and send the form by post along with a copy of your passport and address registration certification.
Can a US citizen have a German bank account? ›Yes, foreigners can open German bank accounts. However, you'll often be asked for a German proof of address, or at the very least an address from another Eurozone or EEA country. If you're still based in the US a flexible multi-currency account from a specialist provider like Wise or Revolut may be a better option.
Can a non resident have a bank account in Germany? ›Non-resident account
Standard current accounts are generally only available to German residents. You typically need to have a permanent address in Germany to open an account. Many online-only and mobile-only German banks also offer accounts to those living overseas.
Fill out this form and upload a copy of your ID card or a copy of your passport and registration certificate. You will usually receive your Schufa report after one to two weeks by post. If you need your report faster, you will have to apply for a paid Schufa report.
Can foreigners get credit in Germany? ›Yes, it is possible to obtain a personal loan or credit in Germany as a foreigner. This counts for expats as well as students. You do however need to have a residence in Germany and need to be registered here ("Anmeldung" or "Meldebescheinigung").
How long does it take to get SCHUFA? ›You can request a Schufa directly from SCHUFA Holding AG. This the company that collects Schufa scores. This costs 30€. You will get your Schufa by post in 1 to 3 days.
What to do if I don't have SCHUFA? ›
If the letting agent doesn't mention being able to offer accommodation without a SCHUFA, just ask them. Even if they don't advertise the fact, many are able to provide leases with especially if you're ready to pay the rent several months in advance.
Which banks can I use in Germany without residence permit? ›- bunq.
- Commerzbank. They require a residence permit.
- Deutsche Bank.
- DKB 1 They rarely accept people who just moved to Germany. ...
- ING 7 They use PostIdent to verify your passport. ...
- Kontist. Business bank for freelancers.
- Monese. They are based in the UK and in Belgium. ...
- N26.
In order to open a bank account in Germany, you'll need to submit documents confirming your identity that are recognised in Germany. Documents issued abroad must be authenticated by an apostille or legalisation, depending on the country of issue.
Does my US credit score transfer to Germany? ›Global credit scores currently don't exist, so you can't transfer a U.S. credit score overseas. Other countries might use their own systems to determine creditworthiness. Giving international lenders a copy of your credit report, employment history and income verification could help you build creditworthiness.
How can I get credit from a bank in Germany? ›- At least 18 years old.
- Living in Germany.
- German bank account.
- Regular income (attachable earnings) that covers the monthly payments.
- High enough credit rating (Schufa score)
Germany has its own major credit bureau, known as SCHUFA. Their credit bureau tracks consumer credit data including borrowing activity, balances and payments, to generate a score. The score determines what kind of loans and credit you're approved for and at what terms.
Which bank is best for US citizens in Germany? ›- N26 – the established mobile fintech bank with full English service.
- Commerzbank – the traditional yet modern bank with the broadest offer and English service.
- bunq – They speak 7 languages. ...
- Commerzbank – They have basic online banking in English. ...
- Deutsche Bank – Online banking, customer service and some documents are in English. ...
- Monese – They speak 14 languages. ...
- N26 – They speak 5 languages. ...
- Revolut – They speak 24 languages.
Yes. Cards issued by U.S. Bank can be used in most foreign countries for transactions.
Can you keep German bank account if I move abroad? ›Bank Account: Can you keep your German bank account when leaving Germany? Yes, you can. And you should certainly keep it at least a few months until after you have left Germany since you will still need it for some transactions after you leave (e.g., your last electricity bill, your deposit from your landlord, etc.).
What are the requirements for bank account in Germany? ›
Valid passport, current German residence permit or visa. Proof of registration/proof of address (Meldebescheinigung). Proof of status (whether you're employed or a student). Initial deposit (depending on the bank's required minimum)
Can I open a bank account in Europe if I don't live there? ›You can open a non-resident account in Europe with the expat division of a global banking branch. However, you may find it easier and cheaper to get an account with a specialist online provider instead.
Which SCHUFA score is best? ›You should strive to maintain a SCHUFA score of 97 % or better. This way you will not run into problems with the bank or landlords in the future. Generally, a SCHUFA score above 90 is considered to be a good one.
What affects SCHUFA in Germany? ›Not paying bills is the sure way to kill your score. Not every bill that you pay late will be recorded directly in your SCHUFA file, and in case of doubt, you may need to consult a lawyer. Only after two written reminders, with at least four weeks between them, may a creditor inform SCHUFA about the late payment.
What is the basic score for SCHUFA? ›| Score value | Risk assessment – Level of risk |
|---|---|
| 95 % – 97,5 % | Low to negligible |
| 90 % – 95 % | Satisfactory to elevated |
| 80 % – 90 % | Fairly elevated |
| 50 % – 80 % | Very elevated |
Every German resident is legally entitled to receive one free SCHUFA record per year, to see what data has been stored in the report.
Is it difficult to get a loan in Germany? ›If you want to request a loan from a bank in Germany, you should be registered in Germany and hold a German bank account. Obtaining a loan is harder if you can't prove a steady income. This might be the case for students or freelancers. Your creditworthiness will be checked by your bank.
Can a foreigner have a credit score? ›It can take immigrants with no credit several months to build a positive credit report. Generally, it takes at least three months and probably six months of activity before a credit score can be calculated. Many immigrants are able to develop a good score within a year.
How do I know if my name is in SCHUFA? ›One way to query your SCHUFA score for free is the data copy according to article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation ("Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO"). You can get a free copy of your SCHUFA report here. SCHUFA will then send you a copy of the data by mail.
Do I need a German bank account to get paid in Germany? ›You need a German bank account (Girokonto; current account) if you want to live in Germany for a longer period of time, for example, to rent a flat and to have your salary deposited.
Do I need a German bank account? ›
All EU banks and most European banks allow SEPA transfers. This is why you need a European bank account. You don't need a German bank; just a bank in a European country.
Do you need a blocked bank account to study in Germany? ›When applying for a visa for Germany, a blocked bank account (or: “Sperrkonto”) is required by international students and job-seekers as proof of sufficient financial resources to cover their cost of living.
What information is needed for SCHUFA? ›You will need the following 3 documents to get a hold of your Schufa certificate: A copy of your passport, where your name and birthplace is mentioned. A proof of residence (Meldebescheinigung) from your local Bürgeramt that you ought to obtain 8 days after your move in date.