SCHUFA: what it is, what it is for and how to get the report
SCHUFA is a credit rating that landlords and banks often ask for. What it is and how to get a free report.
SCHUFA is a private credit bureau. It collects data on your payment behaviour (accounts, loans, contracts) and produces a reliability score. A SCHUFA report is often requested by landlords, banks and mobile operators.
What is important to know:
- a high score helps you rent housing and sign contracts; negative entries (debts, late payments) lower it;
- newcomers usually have no history yet — this is normal, it builds up over time;
- you have the right to receive a copy of your data free of charge once a year (Datenkopie under Art. 15 GDPR).
How to get it:
- the free copy is ordered on the official SCHUFA website (Datenkopie / Auskunft nach Art. 15);
- for a landlord you usually need a separate paid certificate (SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck);
- check your data for errors and demand correction of any inaccuracies.
Details and fees may change — check with the official source or a consumer advice service.
Official sources
This article is a general guide in Ukrainian, not legal or tax advice. Rules may differ from one federal state to another and may change over time; always check the official sources listed below or contact the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
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