Applying for an apartment in Germany? A landlord may ask you for a SCHUFA credit check before signing the rental agreement.
With the SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck from ImmoScout24, you can get your official creditworthiness certificate online in just a few minutes. Download it as a PDF and use it for multiple rental applications.
A SCHUFA credit report (SCHUFA-Auskunft) provides information about your creditworthiness in Germany. SCHUFA is a German credit bureau that holds information about financial agreements and payment history. Different SCHUFA documents serve different purposes, from reviewing your own information to providing proof of creditworthiness when applying for an apartment.
When renting in Germany, landlords uasually ask for proof of creditworthiness before signing a rental agreement. The SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck is a certificate made for this purpose. It lets you share relevant information without handing over your full personal credit file.
You can order the SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck through ImmoScout24 for €29.95 and download the certificate after successful identity verification.
German law doesn't require a SCHUFA certificate for every rental application. Many landlords nevertheless ask for proof of creditworthiness before they sign a lease.
When applying for an apartment, you may also be asked to provide:
These documents help landlords assess whether you can afford the rent. A SCHUFA certificate doesn't guarantee that you'll get the apartment. However, having one ready can make the application process easier, particularly when several people are interested in the same property.
If your landlord asks for proof of creditworthiness, you can order the official SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck through ImmoScout24 and include it in your application.
You can request a SCHUFA credit check online. For apartment applications, it's best to choose a certificate intended for landlords rather than a detailed report containing your personal financial information.
ImmoScout24 offers the official SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck for €29.95. You can order it online and download your certificate after verifying your identity.
A SCHUFA credit check doesn't have a fixed legal expiration date. However, it reflects your creditworthiness at the time the certificate was issued. Since your financial situation can change, landlords often prefer a recent document.
Some landlords may ask for a certificate issued within the last three months, although requirements can vary. If you are applying for several apartments around the same time, you can usually use the same SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck for each application. You only need a new certificate if the landlord requires a more recent one.
The fastest way to get a SCHUFA credit check for your rental application is through the SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck from ImmoScout24. If you select the “Online PDF” delivery option, your certificate is usually generated within seconds and available for immediate download after your purchase. To receive your certificate online, you must first successfully verify your identity using one of the available methods:
Once verification is complete, you can download your SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck as a PDF and use it for your rental applications.
SCHUFA stands for Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung (General Credit Protection Association). Since its founding in 1927, SCHUFA’s main purpose has remained the same: to protect lenders from payment defaults and borrowers from excessive debt. Participating companies exchange payment-related information through SCHUFA to help assess creditworthiness.
A detailed SCHUFA credit report contains the following information:
The following information is not included:
The complete SCHUFA credit report, which you can request free of charge from SCHUFA, contains sensitive personal information that you shouldn’t share with third parties. The same applies to the information available through your personal SCHUFA account, introduced on March 17, 2026. Neither option is intended for rental applications.
That’s why ImmoScout24 developed the SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck in cooperation with SCHUFA, specifically for tenants and landlords. It allows you to provide proof of creditworthiness in just a few minutes without sharing unnecessary personal financial information. You can download your certificate online and use it for multiple rental applications.
|
Product type |
What is it for? |
What does it include? |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Personal SCHUFA account |
View your credit information online for personal use; not official proof of creditworthiness. |
SCHUFA data; online after registration. |
Free |
|
Free SCHUFA data copy (Art. 15 GDPR) |
Review your stored personal data and check for errors; not official proof of creditworthiness. |
Copy of your stored SCHUFA data. |
Free |
|
SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck |
Provide official proof of creditworthiness for an apartment application. |
Official creditworthiness certificate designed for sharing with landlords. |
€29.95 (Januar 2026) |
|
SCHUFA-BonitätsAuskunft |
Provide more detailed proof of creditworthiness, for example for a loan or bank account. |
More comprehensive creditworthiness certificate. |
€29.95 (Januar 2026) |
Which SCHUFA report should you use for renting an apartment?
If you're applying for an apartment in Germany, the SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck is usually the most suitable option. Unlike the free SCHUFA data copy, it's specifically designed to be shared with landlords. It confirms your creditworthiness without revealing your complete financial history.
Many landlords in Germany ask prospective tenants to provide proof of creditworthiness before signing a rental agreement.
A SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck is one way to provide this information. It gives landlords an indication of your creditworthiness without sharing your complete financial history. A SCHUFA certificate is not mandatory for every rental application, but landlords may request one during the selection process.
Yes. You can order a SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck online through ImmoScout24. You will need to enter your personal details,
complete the payment and verify your identity. After successful verification, you can download your certificate as a PDF. The SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck costs €29.95.
SCHUFA collects information about financial contracts and payment behavior. This may include information about bank
accounts, loans, credit cards and payment defaults. The information included in a report depends on the type of SCHUFA document you request. A SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck intended for landlords provides proof of creditworthiness without disclosing your complete financial history.
A negative SCHUFA entry can make finding an apartment more difficult, but it does not automatically prevent you from renting. Landlords may also consider your income, employment situation and other supporting documents when reviewing your application.
Yes. You can use your SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck for several apartment applications. There is no need to buy a new certificate each time you contact a landlord. Keep in mind that some landlords may prefer a recently issued certificate.
If you’ve recently moved to Germany, you may not have enough payment history for SCHUFA to issue a creditworthiness certificate. SCHUFA needs information about your financial activity in Germany, such as mobile phone contracts or online purchases, to assess your creditworthiness.
If you don’t have sufficient payment history yet, you may not be able to obtain a SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck. In this case, providing proof of income, such as recent payslips or an employment contract, can be a useful alternative when applying for an apartment.
If SCHUFA doesn’t have sufficient information to issue your SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck, your order cannot be completed.
You’ll be notified if the certificate cannot be issued, for example, because your identity cannot be clearly verified using the information provided during your order.
In this case, no contract is concluded and your payment will be reversed. Your selected payment method will be cancelled, or you’ll receive a refund if you’ve already paid by instant bank transfer.
