Credit Score

Does France Have Credit Scores Like the UK? What Actually Happens When You Move Abroad

Moving to France from the UK, you’re probably thinking about the food, the weather – maybe even the tax situation. But there’s also credit that you have to think about. In the UK, it’s all about credit scores. Credit bureaus and endless three-digit numbers shape your chances of getting a mortgage or a loan. 

So, it’s totally normal to wonder: does France have credit scores in the same way, and will your credit history from the UK actually mean anything once you set foot in Paris or Nice? Let’s break it down: 

Quick Overview

First off, the concept of a “credit score” as we know it in Britain – those numbers from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – doesn’t quite translate to France. It’s not that they don’t care about your financial history; they just look at it differently.

How Do French Lenders Assess Borrowers Without Credit Scores?

You might be surprised to learn that France doesn’t have a universal, three-digit credit scoring system that follows you everywhere you go. French financial institutions, whether you’re applying for a personal loan or even just a mobile phone contract, do take your financial behaviour into account, but not in the same way as in the UK or the U.S. 

Instead, their approach to creditworthiness focuses more on your:

• Recent financial activity
• Stability
• Ability to repay

So, instead of plugging your details into a database to spit out a number, banks will ask you for things like your last three months of bank statements or your tax returns. In many cases, they’ll want a peek at your employment contract. 

This process is, admittedly, a bit more manual and sometimes feels old-fashioned, but it’s just how they do it. Your “credit rating” in France becomes more of a personal profile, constructed from actual documents, rather than some algorithmic calculation.

Who Oversees Credit Risk in France?

Unlike the UK, where private credit bureaus keep score, in France, the Banque de France holds a lot of the cards when it comes to credit risk. 

The Banque de France

They manage national registers, but these aren’t credit scoring bureaus in the Fair Isaac Corporation sense. Instead, they keep track of people who’ve:

• Defaulted on loans
• Had cheques bounce
• Filed for bankruptcy

These negative remarks are stored in the Fichier Central des Chèques (FCC) or the Fichier des Incidents de remboursement des Crédits aux Particuliers (FICP). 

So, if you’ve had issues in France – maybe unpaid debt or bounced direct debits – your name might end up in these files. That’s really the closest France gets to the idea of “bad credit.” 

If you’ve kept your financial nose clean, though, there’s no equivalent to a Bureau Krediet Registratie (BKR) or the UK’s credit bureaus constantly tracking every bill payment. We often see this difference catch expats off guard, especially if you’re used to building a good credit score just by paying your mobile bill on time.

How Does France’s Approach Compare to Other Countries?

It’s not just the UK and France that differ. Across different countries in Europe and beyond, the approach to credit risk and borrowers’ creditworthiness varies a lot. Many countries rely on credit bureaus to centralise credit applications and defaults, whereas others, like France, take a more fragmented or state-led approach. 

For example:

• The Dutch have the BKR
• Germany has Schufa
• The U.S. famously uses the Fair Isaac Corporation’s FICO score
• In the UK, we have those familiar credit reference agencies

If you’re curious about European attitudes to credit, the European Banking Authority provides some handy insights into how credit risk and borrower information are handled differently from country to country. You can check out their recent reports here.

What Do Lenders Really Want to See in France?

If you’re making a move, here’s where the reality hits: your good credit in the UK doesn’t transfer automatically. Lenders in France typically aren’t really interested in your UK Experian score or a glowing credit file from Equifax. 

They want proof that you’ve got:

• A stable income
• A manageable level of debt
• Enough money in your account to handle repayments

They’re trying to work out your current financial situation rather than your entire credit history. For things like a mortgage or large credit applications, French banks will dig deep – they might ask you for details of any properties you own or even your family situation. 

It’s a much more personal, document-heavy method, which means you should always keep your paperwork organised – especially when you first arrive.

Can You Build Good Credit in France?

It’s not all doom and gloom if you’re worried about starting from scratch! Even though France doesn’t use a credit scoring system in the same way as the UK, you can still build trust with lenders and financial institutions. 

Solid Tips

What can you do to improve your credit score in France?

• Make sure your accounts are in good order
• Keep your debt levels low
• Don’t miss repayments on any French loans or bills

Over time, your bank will see you as a “good” client, and that reputation will help you with future credit applications. Just don’t expect an official credit score to magically appear.

And if you ever do end up with negative remarks in the Banque de France’s records – say, you bounce a cheque or default on a loan – those will stick around for several years and make it difficult to get credit, so it’s worth avoiding at all costs.

What If You’re a UK Expat With No French Credit History?

This is the tricky bit for many expats. You arrive, full of plans, only to discover that your UK credit rating isn’t recognised at all. You’re starting from zero, which can feel unfair, especially if you always kept things in order back home. 

The good news is, many French banks and lenders understand this problem, so it’s worth explaining your situation and being upfront about your financial background.

Some international banks, especially those with branches in both countries, can be more flexible. They might consider your UK financial history as part of the picture. Still, the process will usually involve a lot of paperwork and personal meetings – France loves an appointment at the bank.

If you’re worried about practical steps, the Banque de France has information in English that can help you navigate the local system. It’s worth checking out their resources on opening an account and applying for credit as a newcomer.

How Upscore Can Help

If you want to make life easier as you move abroad and prove your creditworthiness wherever you land, consider signing up for Upscore’s Finance Passport! It lets you present your international credit data to lenders, which is handy if you want to avoid awkward moments in the bank manager’s office. 

Sign Up for Upscore’s Finance Passport Today!

How is Credit Score Determined in the UK? + Tips to Improve It

If you’re planning to move abroad or simply want to tidy up your finances here at home, knowing how your credit score is determined – and more importantly, how to improve it – is definitely a smart move! 

Your credit score is just a number, but it’s a reflection of your financial behaviour, which makes it a pretty key part of your financial health. It affects everything from mobile phone contracts to mortgages, and if you’re relocating, your history here may influence how lenders view you overseas.

What Is Your Credit File, and How Does it Shape Your Credit Score?

Your credit file is basically a full record of:

• Your past borrowing
• Your use of credit
• How you’ve handled bills and loans

The main credit reference agencies in the UK – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – collect data to build up this file. People often talk about their “credit score”, but the fact is, you actually have separate scores with each of the agencies because each one has its own system. 

So, when you submit a credit application – for a credit card, for example -the lender may check your credit file via one or more of the agencies. The lender then uses their own criteria (plus the data in your file) to decide if you’re a good bet. So your credit score reflects how trustworthy you appear to a lender.

Which Factors Influence How Your Credit Score is Calculated?

There are a few things at play when your credit score is being calculated, so let’s explore some of these here:

Payment History (Pay Bills on Time)

This is absolutely critical. Missed payments or CCJs send big red flags to lenders.

Credit Accounts and Credit Utilisation

This includes:

• The number of credit accounts you hold (cards, loans, etc.)
• How long you’ve had them
• Especially how much of your available credit you’re using

For example, if you’ve got a credit card with a limit of £2,000 and you’re regularly using £1,800, that’s high use and it can hurt your score.

Credit History Length and Mix

The longer and more stable your borrowing history, the better, since it shows you’ve managed credit over time. Opening loads of new accounts can make you look riskier.

Public Records and Address Stability

If you’ve moved around a lot or have public records like bankruptcy or CCJs, your score will likely take a hit.

Errors in Your Credit Report

Mistakes happen! One survey found that 29% of UK adults who checked their credit report had errors on it. 

Having all of these on your side helps you secure a good credit score; neglecting these things can land you with a low credit score, which can restrict your options.

What Are the Average Credit Scores and Why Do They Vary?

Since each agency uses a different scale, you’ll find different “average” numbers depending on who you ask.

• The average 2024 figure for Experian was 797 (out of 999).
• Equifax’s average is around 644 (out of 1,000). 
• TransUnion reports an average of about 610 (out of 710) in recent data.

Age and location make a difference too: younger adults often have lower scores, simply because their credit history is shorter. Data shows, for example, that people aged 18‑25 may average around 447 in certain scoring models, but that rises to 839 for those aged 65+. 

And there’s actually a bit of variation regionally, too: some parts of the UK have average scores in the 700s, others in the 800s.

What this tells you is two things: first, don’t panic if your agency’s number looks different from someone else’s; and second, focus less on the absolute number, more on the trend and the behaviour behind it.

Why Checking Your Credit Score Regularly Matters

You should check your credit score and credit file regularly (at least yearly, ideally more frequently) because:

• If you spot errors on your credit report, you can request corrections, and those corrections can improve your score. Over nine million UK adults could have mistakes on their credit files.

• Checking helps you spot identity fraud or unauthorised credit accounts.

• Keeping an eye on things helps you understand what lenders see when they view your file, so you’re better prepared when you submit a credit application.

And to clear up a common worry we see a lot of people ask: checking your own credit score via a soft check doesn’t hurt your score. It’s the hard checks (by lenders) that can leave marks.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

If you’re either planning a move abroad or at least considering it, improving your credit score now will give you a head‑start!

1. Register on the Electoral Roll: It’s simple to do and helps confirm your address in the eyes of lenders.

2. Pay all Bills on Time: Set direct debits or reminders so you don’t miss payments – your payment history is the single most important factor.

3. Keep Your Credit Utilisation Low: Ideally, use less than 30% of your available credit. If you have a £1,000 limit, try to keep around £300 or less outstanding.

4. Don’t Apply for Lots of New Credit at Once: Each credit application is logged. Lenders may see multiple applications as a sign of financial stress, which can lower your score.

5. Check All Your Credit Reports with the Three Agencies: Since they each hold slightly different information, you’ll get the full picture only if you cover all three.

6. Consider Requesting a Higher Limit (Only If You Won’t Increase Spending): If your card issuer offers a higher limit and you don’t use more of it, your utilisation rate drops, which helps.

7. Keep Old Credit Accounts Open (If They Don’t Cost you Fees): Having long‑standing accounts shows a stable credit history.

You’ll likely see gradual improvement when you follow these steps consistently. Depending on how low your score was, it might take several months or even longer, but the effort definitely pays off: better credit scores often mean better interest rates and access to higher credit limits. 

And if you’re moving abroad, having your UK financial history in good shape makes the transition easier!

Final Thoughts

Relocating or renting overseas? Simply want the peace of mind that your financial health is solid? Then building and maintaining a strong credit score here in the UK matters. You don’t have to be perfect here, just consistent.

How Upscore Can Help

If you want to make life even smoother when you move abroad, consider signing up for Upscore’s Finance Passport! It helps you carry your financial credentials in one place and present your stronger credit history when you need it abroad or at home.

Sign Up for Upscore’s Finance Passport Today!