SCHUFA is a private credit agency. Banks, landlords, phone companies and online shops report and check how reliably people pay. When you arrive, SCHUFA has no data about you: not a bad score, just no score, which some landlords and contract providers treat as a reason to say no.
Two different documents
| Document | Cost | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Data copy (Datenkopie, Art. 15 GDPR) | Free, once a year or more | Checking what SCHUFA stores about you |
| Credit report (BonitätsAuskunft) | Paid, around €30 | Showing a landlord, with only the information they need |
The free data copy includes all your stored data, which is more than a landlord should see. Use the paid report, or the free score view in SCHUFA's app, for flat applications. Since March 2026 SCHUFA also shows your score and the factors behind it for free in its app and web portal.
Request your free data copy
SCHUFA's official page for the free data copy under Art. 15 GDPR.
Go to SCHUFABuilding a record
- Open a German current account. The account itself is registered.
- Pay bills by direct debit and on time.
- A phone contract or a credit card, used and paid normally, adds positive entries over time.
- Don't apply for many credit products at once.
Until you have a record, offer landlords other proof: an employment contract, payslips, a blocked account statement, or a guarantee from a parent or employer.
Common questions
Is there anything like SCHUFA from my home country?
No. Credit histories from other countries aren't transferred. Some landlords accept a credit report from your home country as extra evidence.
Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.