What is Schufa, how do I get it, and can I rent a flat without it?

What it is: Schufa is a private company that records people's payment behaviour (bank accounts, loans, phone contracts, unpaid debts). Landlords, banks and phone companies check Schufa when you apply.

Free copy: Under EU data protection law (GDPR Article 15) you can request a free copy of your Schufa records. On the meineSCHUFA website, choose «Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO»; it arrives by post, usually within about a week. If an entry is wrong, you can ask for it to be corrected.

For landlords: Landlords usually ask for a certificate with a verification code and limited personal data (Schufa-BonitätsCheck). It costs money and arrives quickly. Your landlord does not need to see the full free copy.

If you have no Schufa: If you are new, your record may be thin or empty; this is not negative in itself. Instead, you can give the landlord your employment contract, your last three payslips, bank statements, a certificate from your previous landlord that you have no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung) and, if needed, a guarantor (Bürgschaft).

Building a record: Opening a German bank account and paying bills on time builds a positive record over time. Avoid making many credit applications. When flat hunting, be careful with ads that ask you to pay for Schufa or to pay before viewing the flat; they may be scams.