Do other countries have credit scores?

The short answer is yes. Many—but not all—countries outside of the U.S. have their own credit-scoring systems. These systems can vary from one country to the next—and you can’t take your credit score with you when you move abroad. So if you need an auto loan, mortgage or credit card while living in another country, you may need to take steps to build your credit there. 

Learn how credit works around the globe and how to build credit history with international lenders. 

What you’ll learn:

• Many other countries use their own systems to determine creditworthiness.

• Global credit scores currently don’t exist, so you can’t transfer a U.S. credit score overseas.

• Giving international lenders a copy of your credit report, employment history and income verification could help you build creditworthiness. 

• Keeping U.S. credit accounts open may help you maintain your credit profile if you decide to move back.

U.S. credit scores are three-digit numbers that help measure a person’s creditworthiness—or how likely they are to repay their debts. The U.S. has three major credit bureaus—Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®. Each bureau collects information about a consumer’s financial habits, such as payment history and outstanding debts, and uses it to create credit reports. 

Credit-scoring companies—like FICO® and VantageScore®—pull information from a person’s reports and use a credit-scoring model to calculate the person’s credit score. These credit score ranges typically start at 300 and go up to 850.

Some credit-scoring systems are similar to the model used in the U.S., but other countries may have different methods for calculating creditworthiness. And what’s considered a good credit score in the U.S. might not be a good score in a different country. 

Keep in mind that some countries don’t use credit scores and reports. So if you move abroad, you may need to build credit from scratch. Here are how some other countries determine credit scores:

Australian credit scores can range from 0 to either 1,000 or 1,200, depending on the bureau, with high credit scores signifying greater creditworthiness. Australian credit reports may include information about a consumer’s payment history, recent credit applications, outstanding debts and delinquent accounts.

Canadian credit scores can range from 300 to 900, and high credit scores can yield better loan terms and interest rates. Canada’s two major credit bureaus collect similar details to those found in U.S. credit reports, like payment history, outstanding debts, credit mix, credit history and newly opened or closed accounts.

China uses a social credit system to determine whether an individual is creditworthy. This system also tracks nonfinancial factors, such as traffic violations and arrest records. A low social credit score could prevent someone from being approved for a credit card or loan. It may also lead to travel bans or job restrictions.

The Bank of France is the only financial institution that tracks consumer credit activity. But it typically limits records to negative information—like missed payments or delinquent accounts. French lenders generally base creditworthiness on a person’s income instead, and the lending process could vary on a bank-by-bank basis.

Germany’s credit reporting agency SCHUFA gives each person a starting credit score of 100. SCHUFA may collect consumer data like missed and late payments, court records and credit account balances. A 90+ SCHUFA score is typically considered good. But every new loan or missed payment may cause scores to drop.

Japan doesn’t have a national credit-scoring system, so creditworthiness is determined bank by bank. To apply for credit, you may need to provide proof of employment, income verification, a resident status card and more. Establishing a positive relationship with a Japanese bank can help build credit history over time.

The official bureau Buró de Crédito scores consumers from 400 to 850, using payment history, debt level, history length, credit mix and recent inquiries. Private bureau Círculo de Crédito uses FICO score models of household members to determine scores. Banks may require permanent residency or income to extend credit.

Spain doesn’t use credit scores, but the country’s credit register, the Risk Management Center (CIR), tracks negative credit history like late payments or delinquent accounts. If a consumer’s credit profile includes negative items, the consumer could be blacklisted from financial institutions until the debt is paid, or for up to six years.

Each of the U.K.’s credit reference agencies (CRAs) has its own credit-scoring system and score range: Equifax’s range goes up to 700, TransUnion’s top score is 710 and Experian’s range stops at 999. They use information like payment history, credit limits and voter registration to calculate credit scores.

Credit scores—and credit history—typically won’t transfer from one country to the next. If you move overseas, you may need to build credit history before you apply for things like credit cards, mortgages or auto loans. 

Your credit scores will remain relevant to the U.S. when you move abroad, but they won’t come with you. But foreign lenders may ask for some of the same financial information—like debt—that makes up your American credit scores.

Global credit scores don’t currently exist. Some credit bureaus, like Experian, operate in multiple countries. But privacy laws vary by nation, so these companies typically can’t share consumer credit information across borders.

If a person moves to a new country, their lack of credit history might make them “credit invisible.” Even if someone has excellent credit in their home country, being credit invisible could make it difficult for them to get a loan or open a credit card.

Building credit from scratch may take some time. But here’s a list of strategies that could help you establish credit in another country:

1. Bring a copy of your U.S. credit report to overseas lenders.

2. Consider secured credit card options. 

3. Review lending requirements, such as resident status cards, income verification and proof of employment. 

4. If you have friends or family members in your destination country, you may want to ask for reliable sources and recommendations to build credit. 

5. Monitor your U.S. credit reports and accounts. 

Keep in mind that each country’s credit-scoring system is unique. Before you embark on your new adventure, you might want to research your new country’s credit eligibility requirements. You could also reach out to the U.S. Embassy or expat groups for more guidance.

You can’t take your credit score overseas, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect it. Managing your U.S. credit profile could help you reestablish credit if you ever decide to move back. 

There are some steps you could take to help maintain your U.S. credit score while living abroad:

• Inform your credit card issuer of your trip so it doesn’t cancel your card. 

• Consider how closing the account may affect your credit history.

• Keep U.S. bank accounts and credit cards open and in good standing, if possible.

• Use cards for transactions to keep them active.

• Make on-time payments.

• Set up online account access.

If you’re traveling overseas, you may want to reach out to your U.S. credit card issuer to ensure that your card will work in your destination country. Also, keep in mind that some credit cards charge fees for international purchases. These fees could add up quickly, but getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fees may help—like any Capital One credit card.

Many other countries do have credit scores, but your American credit score won’t translate into a foreign country’s system. Lenders in other countries may have their own methods and systems of determining your creditworthiness when you apply for credit. Having a copy of your U.S. credit report, proof of income and employment verification may help you establish credit history with international lenders. 

You can monitor your credit for free with CreditWise from Capital One. You can use it to check your FICO Score 8 credit score and your TransUnion credit report—without hurting your credit scores.