TL;DR
How to rent an apartment in Europe without local credit history. Country-by-country credit check requirements, alternative documentation, and agencies that work with newcomers.
One of the biggest barriers for newcomers renting in Europe is the lack of local credit history. In countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, landlords and agencies routinely run credit checks. If you have just arrived, you have no score. This guide covers which countries require credit checks, what alternative documentation you can provide, and which types of agencies are most willing to work with tenants who lack local credit history.
Country-by-Country Credit Check Requirements
Germany: SCHUFA
Germany's SCHUFA credit report is the standard requirement for renting. Without one, most landlords will not consider your application. New arrivals can request a SCHUFA Auskunft after registering their address, but it will show no history. Alternatives: provide a credit report from your home country (translated to German), an employer guarantee letter, or offer to pay several months' rent in advance. Some agencies specialising in expat housing accept these alternatives.
Agencies in Berlin | All Germany agencies
Netherlands: BKR
Dutch landlords may check the BKR (Bureau Krediet Registratie) for negative credit entries. Unlike SCHUFA, having no BKR record is neutral rather than negative. The bigger challenge is income verification: agencies typically require proof of income at 3-4x the monthly rent. An employer contract letter in English is usually sufficient.
United Kingdom
UK landlords run credit checks through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. New arrivals will show no UK credit file. Most letting agents offer alternatives: a guarantor based in the UK, or 6 months' rent paid upfront. Some build-to-rent developments and corporate landlords are more flexible with newcomers since they have larger portfolios and can absorb more risk.
France
France does not have a centralised credit scoring system like SCHUFA. Instead, landlords request a "dossier de location" containing your last three payslips, tax return, employment contract, and previous rental references. For newcomers, a company guarantee letter or the Visale government guarantee scheme (free for eligible tenants under 30) can replace the missing documentation.
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece
Southern European countries generally do not run formal credit checks. Landlords focus on proof of income and employment. The main requirement is a deposit (typically 1-2 months) and the first month's rent upfront. This makes these markets significantly more accessible for newcomers without local credit history. Agencies in these countries are accustomed to working with international tenants.
Spain | Portugal | Italy | Greece
Scandinavia
Sweden, Denmark, and Norway use personal identification numbers (personnummer, CPR, fodselsnummer) linked to credit databases. Without one, you cannot easily rent through standard channels. Relocation agencies and furnished apartment providers that cater to international workers bypass this requirement by renting in their own name or through corporate contracts.
Agencies in Stockholm | Agencies in Copenhagen
Alternative Documentation That Works
When you cannot provide local credit history, prepare a strong application package. Include an employer letter confirming your position, salary, and contract duration. Add three months of bank statements showing consistent income and savings. If you have rental references from your home country, get them in writing. A cover letter explaining your situation can help: landlords appreciate transparency about why you have no local history and what you can offer instead. Some landlords accept a guarantor as an alternative to credit history.
Offering to pay 3-6 months' rent upfront is the single most effective strategy in competitive markets. It reduces the landlord's risk to near zero and is commonly accepted even by agencies that normally require credit checks.
Types of Agencies That Work With Newcomers
Look for agencies that explicitly market to expats, international workers, or corporate relocation clients. These agencies have built their business model around tenants who lack local documentation. They know which landlords are flexible and can prepare your application to maximise acceptance. Platforms like HousingAnywhere and Spotahome also verify tenants through alternative means (passport, employment proof, video verification) rather than local credit scores.
Building Credit History After Arrival
Once you have secured your first rental, start building local credit. In Germany, register your address and request a SCHUFA entry; some utility contracts automatically create one. In the UK, register on the electoral roll, get a basic bank account, and consider a credit-builder card. In the Netherlands, your personnummer and bank account create a financial footprint. After 12 months of on-time rent payments, your position for future rentals improves significantly.