Out of the “Blackbox”: Schufa reveals the calculation of credit ratios

In the future, consumers should get full insight from Schufa how their ratings will come about to credit. The information egg has simplified its so -called score, which provides information about the creditworthiness, and promises that lay people can also recalculate it without much effort.

The new score is still being tested. Consumers can probably access it in the fourth quarter of 2025 – by free digital insight into their personal data either in the Schufa app or online.

“Understandable criteria”

The calculation of the new scores flows into how long you can use a credit card or a checking account. Also whether there are negative entries because invoices were not paid even after several reminders. For a total of twelve – criteria understandable from a Schufa perspective – points are awarded, a total of 100 to 999. The higher the total number of points, the higher the creditworthiness of the respective consumer is assessed.

Bad credit rating can make loans more expensive

The calculations of the information agency based in Wiesbaden, for example, are an important yardstick for banks, mail order companies and mobile operators. Because you want to know how your customers’ payment standards are before contracts are concluded and handed over.

Critics consider Schufa to be a “black box”

Consumer advocates have long been calling for more transparency from Schufa. Again and again the information egg had to be accused of being a “black box” because it is not disclosed how the score is calculated exactly.

The Schufa justified its previous reluctance by the fact that the score could be manipulated if the calculation model were completely transparent. CEO Tanja Birkholz wants to end the secrecy and has been driving the change since taking office in July 2020.