If you are in Germany or planning to move, there is a term you will hear sooner or later: the SCHUFA. This mysterious word is the key to many things in everyday German life: renting a flat, opening a bank account or getting a telephone contract.
In this complete guide we explain what SCHUFA is, how to apply for free and how to understand it.
Table of contents
What is SCHUFA?
The SCHUFA (Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung) is Germany's main credit bureau. Its job is to collect data about your finances and create a profile of your credit history. This includes:
✅ Your bank accounts
✅ Mobile telephony contracts
✅ Loans or credits
✅ Outstanding debts or overdue payments
With this information, the SCHUFA assigns you a score (SCHUFA-Score), which indicates how reliable you are when it comes to paying your debts. This score is key when you want to renting a flat, taking out a loan or signing a contract.
Example of SCHUFA:
Why is SCHUFA important?
In Germany, the SCHUFA is your financial cover letter. Here are some situations in which you will be asked for it:
🏠 Renting a flat: The owners want to know if you pay on time.
🏦 Open a bank account or take out a loanThe banks review your SCHUFA to decide whether or not to accept you.
📱 Telephone or internet contractsCompanies look at your SCHUFA before they offer you a contract.
What is the SCHUFA-Score?
The SCHUFA-Score is a number between 0% and 100% that shows your "financial risk". The higher the number, the more trustworthy you are.
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 97% – 100% | Excellent |
| 90% – 96% | Good |
| 80% – 89% | Reasonable |
| Less than 80% | High risk |
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How to order SCHUFA free of charge in Germany?
Ask for the "Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DS-GVO".
You are entitled to a free copy of your SCHUFA once per yearaccording to data protection law (GDPR/DSGVO). This is for your personal control only, not valid for rentals or banks.
📥 Download the form
Fill in the form with your details:
✅ Full name
Date and place of birth
✅ Current address (and previous addresses if you have lived elsewhere)
Signature and date
Tick the box:
✔️ "Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DS-GVO".
Attach a copy of:
📄 Your passport or identity card
📄 Your recent census registration certificate (Anmeldung)
Send by post to:
SCHUFA Holding AG
Postfach 103441
50474 Köln
Germany
How long does it take?
You will receive your free copy of your SCHUFA by post at about 2 to 4 weeks.
What if I need the SCHUFA to rent a flat?
If you are new to Germany, we recommend that you first ask the person who is going to rent from you if you can present the free version. If he/she does not accept it, you can buy the paid version.
The price of the paid version is 30€ and you will receive it online immediately.
👉You can order it here
How to understand your SCHUFA report
When you receive the free report, you will see several sections:
🔎 1. Your personal details
Your name, address, date of birth, etc.
🔎 2. Registered consultations
Here you will see who has consulted your SCHUFA and when (banks, real estate agencies, etc.).
🔎 3. Accounts and contracts
List of your bank accounts, credits, telephone contracts, etc., with their current status:
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Currently in use |
| Closed | Terminated account or contract |
| Outstanding payments | Registered problems |
🔎 4. Your SCHUFA-Score
Here you will see your current score, which reflects your level of financial risk.
What to do if there are errors in your SCHUFA?
If you see incorrect information (e.g. a debt that you have already paid), you can request a correction directly from SCHUFA. This is a right guaranteed by the data protection law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does my SCHUFA record start?
As soon as you open your first bank account or contract in Germany.
Do I have a bad SCHUFA just because I am new in Germany?
It is not that it is "bad", but it will be low at first because no data on your financial profile.
Can I live without SCHUFA?
Technically yes, but it will be very difficult to rent a flat, obtain contracts or loans.
Knowing and managing your SCHUFA is essential if you want to live peacefully in Germany. Take advantage of your right to ask for a free copy every year and check that your details are correct. If you need the official version in order to rent, invest in the Bonitätsauskunft.
Once you have your SCHUFA, you can continue to the next step -> Finding accommodation in Germany
Other articles that may be of interest to you:
- How to join a German public insurance?-> Learn step by step how to get your krankenkasse and social security number!
- 10 essential applications for living in Germany -> Download the apps you need to make your life in Germany easier!
