Personal loans in Germany: How to borrow money as an expat or resident
Getting a personal loan in Germany is straightforward if you know the system — but it can be frustrating if you don’t. German banks rely heavily on SCHUFA (the national credit scoring system) and income documentation. If you’re an expat, freelancer, or someone without a long German banking history, you may find that your local Sparkasse or Deutsche Bank simply says no.
That’s where GIROMATCH comes in. We are a licensed German credit broker (Kreditvermittler) who matches you with lenders that actually approve applications from international residents, people with limited credit history, or borrowers who need fast decisions. Whether you need a €500 mini loan for an emergency or a €10,000 personal loan for a larger expense, we compare multiple offers for you — free of charge, with no obligations.
Types of personal loans available in Germany
The German lending market offers several types of personal loans, each suited to different needs:
| Loan Type | Amount | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant loans / Mini loans | €100 – €3,000 | Same day | Emergency expenses, bridge financing |
| Personal installment loan | €1,000 – €50,000 | 2-7 days | Larger purchases, debt consolidation |
| Loan without SCHUFA | €100 – €7,500 | 1-3 days | Borrowers with negative SCHUFA entries |
| Student loan | €100 – €5,000 | 1-5 days | Students with limited income |
How to get a loan in Germany: Requirements
Every lender has different criteria, but the basic requirements for a personal loan in Germany are:
Minimum age: 18 years old. Residency: You must live in Germany (Anmeldung) or at least have a German bank account. Income: Minimum €500/month net income for small loans; €1,000+ for larger amounts. Bank account: A German IBAN (EU IBAN accepted by some lenders). SCHUFA: Most lenders check SCHUFA, but a negative entry doesn’t automatically mean rejection — especially through GIROMATCH, where we work with lenders who specialize in non-standard profiles.
Loans for foreigners in Germany
If you’ve recently moved to Germany, getting a loan can feel impossible. You have no SCHUFA history (which is different from having a bad one), possibly a temporary work contract, and limited banking relationships. German banks interpret “no data” as “high risk” — even if you had an excellent credit score in your home country.
The good news: some lenders specifically serve this market. Through GIROMATCH, we connect you with partners like Cashper, Ferratum, and other fintech lenders who evaluate your application based on your current income and bank account activity — not just your SCHUFA file. For amounts up to €3,000, approval is often possible within 24 hours, even without established German credit history.
Tips for foreigners applying for a loan in Germany: Apply within your first months — having zero SCHUFA is better than negative SCHUFA. Use your employment contract as proof of income even if you just started. Start small (€500-1,000) to build a positive repayment history. Consider a credit card as well — responsible credit card use builds your SCHUFA score over time.
Loan without SCHUFA in Germany
A loan without SCHUFA — sometimes called a “Swiss loan” (Schweizer Kredit) because historically offered by Swiss banks — is a personal loan that bypasses Germany’s SCHUFA credit check entirely. These loans exist but come with trade-offs: interest rates are higher (typically 10-15% APR vs. 3-6% for standard loans), amounts are capped (usually up to €7,500), and the repayment terms are shorter.
If you have a negative SCHUFA entry from an unpaid bill, a previous loan default, or other financial issue, a SCHUFA-free loan may be your only option for borrowing money in Germany. GIROMATCH works with several SCHUFA-free lending partners. You can apply here and we’ll match you with the best available offer based on your situation.
Important: be cautious of any provider asking for upfront fees before granting a loan. Legitimate lenders and brokers like GIROMATCH never charge fees before your loan is approved and disbursed.
How the GIROMATCH loan application works
Applying through GIROMATCH takes about 5 minutes and works entirely online:
Step 1: Enter your details. Tell us how much you want to borrow, your income, and basic personal information. Step 2: Get matched. Our system compares your profile against multiple lending partners and shows you the best available offers — often within minutes. Step 3: Choose and sign. Pick the offer that works for you, complete the identity verification (video call or PostIdent), and sign digitally. Step 4: Receive your money. Depending on the lender, the money can be in your account the same day or within 1-3 business days.
There are no upfront fees, no obligations, and no impact on your SCHUFA score from just applying (we use a “Konditionsanfrage” which is a soft credit check, not a hard inquiry).
Frequently asked questions about loans in Germany
Yes. You need to be registered in Germany (Anmeldung), have a German bank account, and show proof of income. Through GIROMATCH, we work with lenders who specifically approve loans for expats and international residents, even without an established SCHUFA history.
For small loans (€100-500), some lenders accept as little as €500 monthly net income. For larger loans (€5,000+), most banks require €1,000-1,500 net income per month.
Yes, though your options are more limited and interest rates will be higher. GIROMATCH specializes in matching borrowers with non-standard credit profiles to suitable lenders. For small amounts, instant loan providers like Cashper and Ferratum have more relaxed requirements.
Instant loans (Sofortkredit) can be approved and disbursed within the same business day if you apply before 4 PM. Standard personal loans typically take 2-5 business days.
SCHUFA is Germany’s main credit bureau. It stores data about your financial behavior — loans, credit cards, phone contracts, unpaid bills. Banks check your SCHUFA score before approving a loan. A good score (above 95%) gets you the best interest rates.
Apply for your personal loan now
Whether you need a quick mini loan, a larger personal loan, or a loan without SCHUFA check — GIROMATCH finds the right offer for you. Our service is completely free, and applying doesn’t affect your credit score.
Apply now — free and without obligation →
Related guides: Best credit cards in Germany · Student loans in Germany · Bank accounts in Germany
Did you find this page useful? Do you have any further doubts about how to get a personal loan in Germany? Leave a comment, we look forward to reading your feedback!
Hi, iwant to know that i am using the gold card since more than 2 years. but my credit max limit is €1000. How can i increase this limit?
Hi Muhammad, you need to contact your credit card provider and ask for an increase. Generally, if you have a clean credit history and a proper income, you should be able to get an increase if you’ve been a customer for 2 years.
Well satisfactory
How do I pay the loan back and when? for example if I’m taking a 500 euro loan for 12 months. how do I pay to giromatch?