1. What’s changing with the new Schufa model
The Schufa is testing a new scoring model to be introduced at the end of 2025. Instead of hundreds of data points, the new system focuses on about twelve central criteria such as the age of your oldest credit card, length of residence, and payment incidents in the last three years. Generally, longer stability (older credit relationships and stable residence) improves the score, while many new accounts or recent payment problems lower it.
Key criteria the new model emphasizes
- Age of oldest credit contract or credit card
- Duration at current address
- Payment disturbances in the past three years
- Number and recency of newly opened accounts
- Ongoing open claims or settled claims and their dates
2. How to get your free data copy (Art. 15 GDPR)
You are entitled to request a free copy of all personal data stored by Schufa once a year under Article 15 of the GDPR. Important: this is the free ‘Schufa data copy’ (a full data export), not a paid report. The data copy shows all stored information, contracts, and any negative entries that affect your credit profile.
- Use only official Schufa channels to submit your request to avoid scams.
- Ask explicitly for the free ‘Schufa data copy’ under Art. 15 GDPR — do not order the paid credit report.
- Provide identification information the provider requires so they can verify your identity.
- Expect a full export that lists all entries, reporting partners, and timestamps.
How to request the data copy
3. What to check in your data copy
When you receive the data copy, inspect it thoroughly. The most important things to check are whether any negatives are correct, whether entries have the right status and dates, and whether duplicate or outdated entries exist.
- Status of claims: check whether listed claims are marked as open or settled.
- Settlement dates: confirm the dates when claims were paid or marked as resolved.
- Duplicate entries: ensure the same claim or contract is not recorded multiple times.
- Registration and contact data: make sure your name, address and birth date are correct.
- Retention periods: verify if old negatives should already have been removed based on current storage rules.
| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| Standard retention for paid claims | Negative entries are kept and may affect scoring unless updated to ‘settled’ with correct dates |
| Shortened retention from 1 Jan 2025 | If a claim was reported and then paid within 100 days and no further negative facts exist, the storage is limited to 18 months |
| Tip | Check settlement dates carefully — they determine whether the shorter 18‑month rule applies |
Specific items to verify
Storage period rules you should know
4. How to correct errors step by step
If you find incorrect or outdated data, act in a structured way. Many errors can be corrected without legal help if you provide clear evidence and follow the correct procedure.
- Collect supporting documents: payment receipts, bank statements, discharge confirmations, or written confirmations from the creditor.
- Prepare a concise written request describing the error and referencing the exact entry in the data copy.
- Send this request to both Schufa and the reporting partner (the company that provided the data). The reporting partner is legally obliged to correct or revoke incorrect entries.
- Keep copies of all communications and proof of postage or delivery.
- If the entry is corrected, get a written confirmation and request an updated data copy to verify the change.
- If the reporting partner or Schufa refuses or ignores the correction, consider escalating: file a complaint with the data protection authority or consult a lawyer specialized in data protection or consumer law.
Step-by-step correction process
Note: some sources recommend professional legal help if disputes arise because Schufa does not always delete entries voluntarily. Other experts point out that most straightforward corrections succeed when you provide clear evidence. Avoid shortcuts or ‘tricks’ — the most effective approach is careful documentation and persistence.
5. Protect yourself from phishing and fraud
Scammers often send phishing emails pretending to be from credit agencies or similar authorities, asking you to ‘update your data’ or to click links. These messages can look urgent and mimic official phrasing. Always be cautious.
- Always use official channels to request your data copy — do not click links in unexpected emails.
- Be suspicious of subject lines that pressure you to act immediately, such as requests to ‘update your data at the IHK’ or similar.
- Verify sender addresses carefully and do not provide personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
- If you suspect a phishing attempt, discard the message and contact the agency via its official website or hotline.
Practical safety tips
6. Final tips and keywords to remember
Regularly checking your Schufa data copy is the strongest lever to maintain an accurate credit record under the new scoring model. Remember key terms like data copy, Art. 15 GDPR, shortened storage period (18 months), 100‑day payment window, negative entries, duplicate records, and official channels. Accurate records and quick correction of errors help protect your credit score and financial options.
If you follow the steps above—request the free data copy, check settlement and storage dates carefully, collect proof, and contact both Schufa and the reporting partner—you will be well prepared to correct mistakes and reduce the risks that affect your credit assessment.
