SCHUFA score table 2025
Summary - Schufa Score and Meaning in 2025
- Who determines the SCHUFA score?
- The scoring procedure explained – How the calculation works
- Schufa score: amount, effects and score tables
- What significance does the score have for your credit?
- Why is the scoring process useful and who benefits from it?
- What do the numbers say about creditworthiness?
- What does the SCHUFA score mean for borrowers themselves?
- 5 Tips for a Better SCHUFA Score for Consumers
- The Schufa basic score table – from “very good” to “very bad”
- Industry scores as a table: Schufa score – Industry score
- The SCHUFA score for financial institutions (banks, etc.) if you need a loan:
- Schufa score table for online shops
- An example of further classifications analogous to SCHUFA: The CEG traffic light for creditworthiness classification
- Values included in the SCHUFA calculation
- How can I check my Schufa score quickly and cheaply?
Who determines the SCHUFA score?
SCHUFA itself determines the exact criteria for calculating the score and changes them regularly.
Basically, a good Schufa score is evidence of financial reliability and stability, and such a score is achieved primarily through responsible and timely payment of bills and servicing of loans.
The scoring procedure explained – How the calculation works
The SCHUFA (Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung) is a German credit agency that calculates this score. A good SCHUFA score is, roughly speaking, the result of a good payment history.
It is determined by several factors.
- Whether you have paid your bills on time
- How much credit(s) you already have
- How long you have been a borrower
-
Regular income and stable living conditions are also taken into account in the assessment
Schufa score: amount, effects and score tables
The higher the Schufa score, the better: This is the meaning of the numbers in the Schufa score tables.
The higher, the better Schufa score tables: This is what lies behind the numbers
A high SCHUFA score means that you are seen as a low risk for lenders and are therefore likely to get loans more easily or receive cheaper interest rates . A low SCHUFA score , on the other hand, can mean that you have difficulty getting loans or that you have to pay higher interest rates .
What significance does the score have for your credit?
A high score can make it easier to get a loan and can secure better terms, such as lower interest rates. This is because you will then be seen as a lower risk by lenders. The higher your SCHUFA score, the lower the risk for the lender. It becomes less likely that you will be unable to repay the loan.
On the other hand, a low SCHUFA score can lead to loan applications being rejected , or if you do get a loan, it will probably be on less favorable terms, such as higher interest rates. This is because lenders see you as a higher risk and try to compensate for this risk by charging higher interest rates.
The SCHUFA score is only one factor among many , the lender takes into account when making the decision .
They may also consider other information, such as your income, expenses, employment situation, and other financial obligations.
Why is the scoring process useful and who benefits from it?
The SCHUFA scoring procedure serves the following purpose:
It helps lenders assess the risk involved in granting a loan to a particular person or business.
A high SCHUFA score means that the person in question has reliably fulfilled their financial obligations in the past , which is a good indicator that they will continue to do so in the future .
What do the numbers say about creditworthiness?
Lenders, such as banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions, benefit from this system because it helps them to better assess the opportunities and risks of concluding a contract in order to minimize defaults. Using figures on the "level of creditworthiness", loans can be granted to reliable borrowers and less reliable borrowers can be rejected or higher interest rates can be charged to compensate for the higher risk.
What does the SCHUFA score mean for borrowers themselves?
But borrowers also benefit from the SCHUFA score . A high score can make it easier for them to get loans and possibly get better interest rates. It can also help them to better understand their financial health and, if necessary, take steps to improve their score.
Essentially, the SCHUFA scoring process promotes trust between lenders and borrowers. This helps to make the financial system more stable and secure.
5 Tips for a Better SCHUFA Score for Consumers
- Make payments on time: Paying bills on time is an important factor for a good SCHUFA score. If you pay loans, rent, cell phone bills or other obligations late, this can have a negative impact on your SCHUFA report.
- Don't take out too many loans: If you take out a lot of loans at once, it can negatively affect your SCHUFA score. It is advisable to only borrow what you really need and can safely pay back.
- Use credit cards wisely: It is important to use credit cards responsibly. High credit card debts or constantly maxing out your credit limit can have a negative impact on your SCHUFA score.
- Stable living conditions: Moving frequently or changing jobs frequently can lead to a worse SCHUFA score. SCHUFA sees stable living conditions as a sign of financial reliability.
- Check and correct data: It is important to check your SCHUFA data regularly. Errors can occur and have a negative impact on your score. If you find that your personal data is incorrect/outdated, you should have it corrected immediately by SCHUFA.
- Are data on contracts, payment behavior, amount of claims correct?
- Have any claims already been settled been noted?
As a consumer, you can have unauthorized or incorrect entries changed or removed.
This will automatically improve your Schufa score : A lawyer or expert in the field of SCHUFA scores can provide you with ideal support here.
The Schufa basic score table – from “very good” to “very bad”
What is a good Schufa basic score?
To ensure the best possible To have a SCHUFA score that represents the lowest risk for both sides (e.g. borrower & lender), this should be as high as possible. A good basic score is therefore "as high as possible".
How do you get a SCHUFA score of 100?
Realistically, there is no such thing as a 100% score with SCHUFA.
After all, how is SCHUFA supposed to guarantee that you will reliably pay off a new loan without the risk of default?
Even if you pay off existing debts, it can still take years for your score to change for the better. Too many factors can continue to influence your score in the background and lead to "uncertainties" about an improvement.
The SCHUFA basic score:
The basic score, on a scale of 0 to 100%, shows the creditworthiness of individual consumers . This value shows the probability that payments can be made reliably, equivalent to the amount. The higher, the better. This value is recalculated every 3 months .
A very good value is over 97.5%.
The table with the corresponding base score values:
score value |
rating // classification |
> 97.5% |
Extremely low risk |
95% - 97.5% |
Low to manageable risk |
90% - 95% |
Normal to slightly increased risk |
80% - 90% |
Significantly increased to high risk |
50% - 80% |
Very high risk |
< 50% |
Extremely high risk |
How long can it take for your credit rating and thus your SCHUFA score to improve?
The score does not increase immediately after incorrect entries or data have been removed or even adjusted. The industry score is recalculated daily. The Schufa basic score, on the other hand, is only reclassified every 3 months. Therefore, you need patience and professional advice to ensure that no adjustments are overlooked.
score value | rating // classification |
---|---|
> 97.5% | Extremely low risk |
95% - 97.5% | Low to manageable risk |
90% - 95% | Normal to slightly increased risk |
80% - 90% | Significantly increased to high risk |
50% - 80% | Very high risk |
< 50% | Extremely high risk |
Please note that these ratings are general and may differ from the actual SCHUFA rating.
Industry scores as a table: Schufa score – Industry score
There are different tables: for banks, for online shops & mail order companies, for telecommunications companies.
SCHUFA provides various industry scores to better reflect the different needs and risk assessments of the industries . These specific industry scores enable an even more precise risk assessment for lenders and other companies.
Here are some of the most important industry scores:
Bank Score:
This score is calculated specifically for banks and other credit institutions and is designed to assess the risk involved in granting loans.
Mail order score:
This score is calculated for mail order companies and helps assess the risk that a customer will not pay their invoices.
Telecommunications Score:
This score is calculated for telecommunications companies and indicates how likely a customer is to pay their telephone or internet bill.
Insurance Score:
This score is calculated for insurance companies and helps them assess the risk that a customer will not pay their insurance premiums.
Each of these scores takes into account different aspects of a customer's creditworthiness and allows companies to better manage their risks and make informed decisions. These scores are updated regularly to reflect changes in a customer's financial situation.
This means “open negative characteristics”
Factors that count as outstanding negative characteristics include various types of current and past debts, unpaid or late bills, and installment payments where consumers have fallen behind and failed to pay their obligations on time.
In addition, opening many checking accounts or using too many credit and debit cards has a negative impact on your creditworthiness .
The SCHUFA score for financial institutions (banks, etc.) if you need a loan:
This differs depending on whether they have no “obvious negative characteristics” or whether they do .
The industry score for your next loan from a financial institution if you have NO outstanding negative characteristics:
rating | score value | risk rate in percent |
---|---|---|
A | 9,863 – 9,999 | 0.8 |
B | 9,772 – 9,862 | 1.64 |
C | 9,709 – 9,771 | 2.47 |
D | 9,623 – 9,708 | 3.1 |
E | 9,495 – 9,622 | 4.38 |
F | 9,282 – 9,494 | 6.21 |
G | 8,774 – 9,281 | 9.5 |
H | 8,006 – 8,773 | 16.74 |
I | 7,187 – 8,005 | 25.97 |
K | 6,391 – 7,186 | 32.56 |
L | 4,928 – 6,390 | 41.77 |
M | 1 – 4,927 | 60.45 |
If you have outstanding negative characteristics, this is what your industry score for banks will look like when you apply for a loan.
rating | score value | risk ratio in percent |
---|---|---|
N | 4,112 – 9,999 | 48.47 |
O | 1,107 – 4,111 | 77.57 |
P | 1 – 1,106 | 96.08 |
The Schufa score for telecommunications contracts
For example, if you sign a new mobile phone or DSL contract, your creditworthiness will be checked. Generally for new mobile phone contracts (with or WITHOUT a smartphone)
If you have no negative characteristics, the industry score for telecommunications contracts looks like this:
rating | score value | risk rate in percent |
---|---|---|
A | 9,877 – 9,999 | 0.6 |
B | 9,787 – 9,876 | 1.49 |
C | 9,724 – 9,786 | 2.39 |
D | 9,621 – 9,723 | 3.16 |
E | 9,459 – 9,620 | 4.66 |
F | 9,181 – 9,458 | 7.28 |
G | 8,607 – 9,180 | 10.49 |
H | 7,725 – 8,606 | 17.76 |
I | 6,856 – 7,724 | 28.73 |
K | 6,094 – 6,855 | 35.97 |
L | 4,681 – 6,093 | 44.97 |
M | 1 – 4,680 | 60.59 |
The industry score for your next telecommunications contract if you have outstanding negative features:
rating | score value | risk rate in percent |
---|---|---|
N | 3,288 – 9,999 | 50.37 |
O | 231 – 3,287 | 88.15 |
P | 1 – 230 | 99.34 |
Schufa score table for online shops
Before a purchase on account , online shops and mail order companies check whether the approval is associated with risks or not. If the risk rate is too high, the retailer can refuse the purchase on account .
No outstanding claims or negative obstructive characteristics
Level | score | Schufa risk ratio |
---|---|---|
A | 9,974–9,999 | 0.14% |
B | 9,952–9,973 | 0.35% |
C | 9,937–9,951 | 0.53% |
D | 9,918–9,936 | 0.66% |
E | 9,886–9,917 | 0.86% |
F | 9.825–9.885 | 1.22% |
G | 9,647–9,824 | 2.34% |
H | 9,437–9,646 | 5.30% |
I | 9,279–9,436 | 7.73% |
K | 9,006–9,278 | 10.26% |
L | 8,078–9,005 | 15.81% |
M | 1–8,007 | 35.94% |
Negative characteristics such as outstanding receivables from companies in the online shipping and online retail & shopping sectors
Level | score | Schufa risk ratio |
---|---|---|
N | 3,208–9,999 | 49.16% |
O | 283–3,207 | 88.72% |
P | 1–282 | 99.54% |
An example of further classifications analogous to SCHUFA: The CEG traffic light for creditworthiness classification
Creation of the CEG score:
In contrast to the well-known SCHUFA score, the CEG score is not only calculated based on past payment histories. The CEG traffic light is also based on findings from representative groups of people and other individual information from Creditreform .
The CEG traffic light is a representation of the Schufa score used by CEG Creditreform Consumer GmbH. The Schufa score is visualized in the form of a traffic light to quickly identify a person's creditworthiness. The traffic light consists of the colors green, yellow and red, each of which represents different ratings:
- Green: Good creditworthiness
- Yellow: Limited creditworthiness
- Red : Critical creditworthiness
The CEG traffic light serves as a simple visual representation of the Schufa score and gives a quick overview of a person's creditworthiness. The exact calculation of the Schufa score and the evaluation criteria are determined by CEG Creditreform Consumer GmbH and may differ from the standard Schufa ratings.
Values included in the SCHUFA calculation
How can you positively influence the Schufa score values from the table?
Check your Schufa score regularly:
Checking your Schufa score gives an overview of your current financial health and creditworthiness . You have the right to request a free self-disclosure from SCHUFA once a year. This allows you to identify errors in your data and, if necessary, have them corrected that could otherwise affect your score. In addition, you can see which factors negatively affect your score and take appropriate measures to improve it.
>> How to check your Schufa score <<
Pay your bills and loan installments on time:
Late payments, especially of loan installments, can have a negative impact on your Schufa score . It is therefore important to always pay bills and loan installments on time . If necessary, use payment reminders or standing orders to ensure that you do not miss any payment deadlines.
Limit yourself to a few checking and credit card accounts:
Every account or credit card you open is registered with SCHUFA. A large number of accounts can be seen as a sign of financial instability and can negatively affect your score. It is therefore better to have a few, well-managed accounts.
Avoid unnecessary small loans:
Avoid overdrawing your account:
Repeatedly overdrawing your account can have a negative impact on your Schufa score , as it can be seen as a sign of financial difficulties. Try to always keep your account in the positive range and only use overdrafts in exceptional cases.
Make credit inquiries instead of credit requests:
Every credit request is registered by SCHUFA and can affect your score . However, if you only request information about the terms of a loan, this will not be registered. Therefore, whenever possible, you should make inquiries about credit conditions instead of applying for a loan directly.
How can I check my Schufa score quickly and cheaply?
In Germany, every citizen has the right to request a free credit report from SCHUFA once a year .
This means that you can check your Schufa score and all stored data once a year free of charge . This free information contains information about your personal data stored by SCHUFA, as well as about companies that have made inquiries about your data.
To receive such a free self-disclosure, you must submit an application to SCHUFA .
This application can be filled out and submitted online on the SCHUFA website. You must provide your full name, address and date of birth. SCHUFA will then send you your information by post .
For more detailed or more frequent queries, SCHUFA offers paid services , such as the SCHUFA credit check or the SCHUFA package "MySCHUFA compact" . These allow regular access to your score and send you notifications, for example, when your score changes.
When requesting a self-disclosure, make sure that you do not accidentally select a paid service . The free self-disclosure can be found under the heading " Data copy (according to Art. 15 GDPR) " on the SCHUFA website.
FAQ on the SCHUFA scoring table
Which data sources does Schufa use to calculate its scoring?
To determine the scoring values, Schufa uses its own database, which now contains almost 1 billion data records on almost 68 million individuals and 6 million companies in Germany.
Here are some of the most important data sources from which SCHUFA obtains its information:
Data from credit institutions and other companies: SCHUFA receives data on loan agreements, credit inquiries, checking accounts, credit cards, leasing contracts and similar financial products from banks and other companies with which it has contracts.
Data from public registers and official announcements: SCHUFA also collects data from public registers and official announcements, such as the commercial register and the insolvency register.
Data from debt collection companies: SCHUFA also receives information from debt collection companies about unpaid debts.
Data from telecommunications companies: SCHUFA also receives data from telecommunications companies about mobile and landline contracts and payment behavior.
It is important to note that SCHUFA must adhere to strict data protection laws and that individuals have the right to view their data stored by SCHUFA and have inaccurate data corrected.
Is scoring even allowed?
Yes, scoring by SCHUFA is allowed in Germany and is actually an important part of the financial system. SCHUFA is one of several credit agencies that offer scoring services to assess the creditworthiness of consumers. This service helps lenders assess the risk involved in granting a loan to a particular person.
However, scoring by SCHUFA is not carried out without regulation. It must comply with the provisions of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). In addition, SCHUFA must adhere to the principles of transparency, accuracy and timeliness of data.
Consumers have the right to request a free self-disclosure from SCHUFA once a year to check what data is stored about them and how their SCHUFA score is calculated. In addition, they have the right to have incorrect data corrected. This contributes to the transparency and accuracy of the scoring process.
However, it is important to note that the scoring system is not perfect and is subject to criticism, particularly regarding the transparency of the score calculation and the possibility that low scores can exclude people from financial services. Therefore, it is important that consumers know and understand their rights in relation to SCHUFA and other credit agencies.
Who else can access the SCHUFA score besides me?
The basic rule is that only those parties who provide data to SCHUFA are allowed to view information from SCHUFA. These contractual partners of SCHUFA include banks and savings banks, but also mail order companies and mobile phone providers. However, not only companies are entitled to receive information from SCHUFA, but also individuals such as landlords.
These contractual partners transmit various information to SCHUFA and in turn have the right to receive information about a consumer's creditworthiness from SCHUFA if there is a "legitimate interest". Such a legitimate interest exists, for example, if a company provides a service or a delivery in advance and thus takes a financial risk.
What does the credit score influence?
Lending: Banks and other lending institutions use the credit score to decide whether to grant a customer a loan and under what conditions. A good score can lead to lower interest rates and better loan terms, while a bad score can lead to a loan being rejected or only being granted under less favorable conditions.
Lease agreements: Landlords can also check a potential tenant's credit score to assess the risk of non-payment of rent. A good score can help you get the apartment, while a bad score can be a hindrance.
Insurance premiums: Some insurance companies use credit scores to determine the amount of premiums they charge their customers. A good score can lead to lower premiums, while a bad score can lead to higher premiums.
Telecommunications contracts: Mobile phone providers often check a customer's credit score before offering them a contract. A bad score can mean that certain contracts or tariffs are not available.
Does a company insolvency have an impact on the private SCHUFA?
SCHUFA collects and evaluates data on the creditworthiness of private individuals. A company insolvency as such normally has no direct impact on the SCHUFA rating of the private individuals involved, provided they are not personally liable for the company's liabilities.
However, if you are, for example, the managing director of a GmbH and you have given a personal guarantee or a personal liability agreement for loans or other financial obligations of the company, then a company insolvency can certainly have an impact on your personal SCHUFA rating. If this guarantee or liability agreement is used due to the company's insolvency and you are unable to settle these liabilities, this can be noted as a payment default in your SCHUFA report and thus negatively affect your score.
If the company's insolvency leads to personal insolvency, this will of course also have an impact on your SCHUFA rating. Personal insolvency is noted in the SCHUFA report and remains visible there for a certain period of time even after the insolvency proceedings have been concluded.
It is therefore advisable to do your due diligence and consider carefully before entering into any business commitments that may lead to personal liability. If necessary, you should seek advice from a lawyer or other expert.
Does the SCHUFA score have an impact on international business?
The SCHUFA score is primarily used in Germany and has a direct impact on financial transactions within Germany.
When it comes to international business, credit agencies in other countries generally do not have access to SCHUFA data. Credit checking practices and systems can vary considerably from country to country.
However, some international financial institutions or companies doing business in Germany or having German customers may use the SCHUFA score to assess the creditworthiness of German citizens or companies.
There are also some countries, particularly within the European Union, that use similar credit scoring systems. In such cases, the SCHUFA score could potentially have an indirect impact on international business, especially if the credit rating of an individual or company in one country influences their rating in another.
Why are there multiple Schufa score values for one person?
SCHUFA uses a variety of scores tailored to different purposes and scenarios. These different scores make it possible to assess credit risk more accurately in different contexts.
Here are some of the main reasons why there are multiple SCHUFA score values for one person:
Industry scores: SCHUFA calculates separate scores for different industries because credit risk can vary depending on the context. For example, someone who has always paid their credit card bills on time might still pose a higher risk to a telecom provider if they have had problems paying their phone bills in the past.
Base score: This is a general score that represents a person's overall credit risk across all areas.
Score history: SCHUFA also calculates scores that represent a person's credit risk over time. These scores can help identify trends in a person's payment behavior, which can be helpful to lenders.
Individual scores for specific products or services: SCHUFA calculates its own scores for certain products or services, such as loans or mobile phone contracts.
Further information can be found directly on schufa.de https://www.schufa.de/scoring-daten/hilfe-ihrem-schufa-score/
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