Getting a flat without a Schufa credit report is possible for international students, but it is not a given. If you are new to Germany you usually have no history with the Schufa and cannot present the report that landlords are used to. This guide shows what landlords may ask for under data protection law, which proof you can offer instead and where to be careful.
In short: According to the guidance of the German Data Protection Conference (version 1.0, 24 January 2024), a landlord may query a credit report himself only if there is a legal basis, and that falls away where sufficient proof exists. TH Köln names a blocked account as one alternative to a Schufa report. Under section 551 BGB the deposit is capped at three months’ rent. Last updated: November 2026.
The key points
- The Schufa is a private service provider that gives information on a person’s financial situation, such as existing debts.
- Landlords may query a credit report only with a legal basis, and you may present a report of your own.
- Instead of the Schufa you can offer other proof of financial security, for example a blocked account, bank statements or proof of income.
- The deposit is capped at three times the monthly rent excluding flat-rate running costs.
- Never pay in advance for a viewing or a promise, and do not email a copy of your ID.
Why do landlords ask for the Schufa?
The Schufa is a private company that collects data on creditworthiness and existing liabilities and provides information on them. Landlords use the report to assess the risk of unpaid rent. TH Köln notes in its guidance on flat hunting that landlords can ask for a Schufa report and that you can alternatively provide other proof of financial security, such as a blocked account (Sperrkonto).
What may a landlord ask for under data protection law?
The Data Protection Conference, in which the supervisory authorities of the federal government and the states cooperate, has described how far landlords may go with prospective tenants. The guidance is not a statute but shows how the authorities interpret the rules. The table summarises the points that matter if you have no Schufa report.
| Point | What the guidance says |
|---|---|
| Credit query by the landlord himself | Permitted only with a legal basis, falls away where sufficient proof exists |
| A credit report you obtain yourself | You may get it yourself and present it |
| Data subject access request under Art. 15 GDPR | May not be demanded |
| Proof of income | Only immediately before signing, with unneeded details blacked out |
| Nationality, origin, religion | Blanket questions not permitted, nationality not necessary |
| ID copy | Not permitted, showing the ID for an identity check is permitted |
Source: guidance of the Data Protection Conference, version 1.0 of 24 January 2024 (in German). On 31 March 2026 the Saxony-Anhalt data protection commissioner pointed to the revised version 2.0.
Whether a landlord will offer you a contract without a Schufa report in practice is his decision. Well-prepared proof can improve your chances without giving away more data than necessary. An overview of your rights is in Wohnungssuche als Student: Welche Rechte und Pflichten du hast (in German).
Which proof can you offer instead of the Schufa?
| Proof | What it shows | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked account | That you have a fixed amount available for living costs | Named by TH Köln as an alternative |
| Bank statements | Available funds and regular incoming payments | Black out unneeded entries |
| Proof of income | Income from a part-time job or a scholarship | Present only shortly before signing |
| A credit report you obtained yourself | That there are no negative entries | Only useful if data already exists |
| Guarantee or additional security | That someone vouches for the rent | A contract question, get advice first |
Which proof a landlord accepts is not fixed by law. Ask early which documents he needs and offer alternatives yourself. How a guarantee from your parents works is covered in Mietbürgschaft der Eltern: Was sie für dich bedeutet (in German).
How high can the deposit be?
Under section 551 BGB the deposit is capped at three times the monthly rent, excluding running costs paid as a flat rate or advance payment. You may pay it in three equal monthly instalments, the first at the start of the tenancy.
Assumption for the example: the net rent is 450 euros. The deposit may then be at most 1,350 euros, payable in three instalments of 450 euros. If a landlord asks for more, or for the whole sum in advance without a contract, ask questions and get advice. More on deposits in Mietkaution als Student: Höhe, Raten und Anlage (in German).
How does an application without a Schufa report work in practice?
In your first message, briefly say that you are new to Germany, whether you are a student or a doctoral candidate, how you fund your studies and that you can offer other proof instead of a Schufa report. This creates transparency without sending sensitive documents in advance. Under the guidance of the Data Protection Conference, proof of income is usual only on the shortlist, immediately before the contract is signed, while at the viewing stage name, address and showing your ID are enough.
At the viewing you can bring the documents and show them if needed without handing them over. Hand over copies only once you have decided on the flat and checked the contract, and then with blacked-out details the landlord does not need.
What should newcomers watch out for?
TH Köln warns that students with urgent housing needs are a preferred target for fraudsters. The consumer advice centre lists typical schemes including advance payment for keys, a deposit before the contract is signed, fees for viewings and requests for a copy of your ID. TH Köln recommends checking calmly before signing or paying and getting a second opinion if in doubt, holding a video call with landlords who are allegedly abroad, and not treating a passport scan sent to you as proof of authenticity.
A list of warning signs is in Wohnungsbetrug erkennen: Warnsignale bei Fake-Wohnungsanzeigen (in German). For rooms in a hall, the student service sets out in its rental terms which documents it requires, see Kosten im Studierendenwohnheim (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a tenancy without any Schufa report?
Yes, if the landlord accepts other proof. There is no entitlement to it, though, because the landlord decides whether to conclude a contract. Clear proof of income or funding helps.
Do I have to agree to a Schufa query?
According to the guidance, consent clauses in self-disclosure forms are not permitted because they are not given freely. You can offer a report of your own instead of letting the landlord query.
Does a blocked account help with flat hunting?
TH Köln names a blocked account as an example of alternative proof of financial security. Whether a landlord accepts it is his decision.
May a landlord ask for my nationality?
According to the guidance a blanket question is not permitted, and nationality is not necessary.
What to do next
- Ask early which proof the landlord or student service accepts.
- Put together a folder: bank statements, proof of income or funding and, if relevant, a blocked-account certificate.
- Black out unneeded details and show your ID instead of copying it.
- Pay nothing before a viewing in person or by video and a signed contract.
- If you have questions about insurance and finances in Germany, personal advice is available from Academycon: So arbeiten wir (in German).
Related reading
- Wohnen im Studium: Miete, WG, Wohnheim und Wohngeld im Überblick (in German)
- Wohnungssuche als Student: Welche Rechte und Pflichten du hast (in German)
- Wohnungsbetrug erkennen: Warnsignale bei Fake-Wohnungsanzeigen (in German)
- Affordable student housing: strategy, portals and costs
- How to Find a Shared Flat: Tips for a Successful Search
Sources: Datenschutzkonferenz: Orientierungshilfe zur Einholung von Selbstauskünften bei Mietinteressenten, Version 1.0, 24.01.2024 (in German); TH Köln, Referat Internationale Angelegenheiten: Hinweise für die Wohnungssuche, Stand Juli 2026 (in German); § 551 BGB, Begrenzung und Anlage von Mietsicherheiten, Abruf November 2026 (in German); Verbraucherzentrale: Fake-Wohnungen im Internet, Abruf November 2026 (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
