Car loan in Germany for foreigners and expats: requirements and how to apply
You don't need German citizenship to get a car loan in Germany. What counts is your income, employment contract, registered address and SCHUFA. Here is what the bank checks, which documents you need and how to apply online.
Who can get a car loan
EU citizens and holders of a German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) — for example a Blue Card, a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or a §24 permit. German citizenship is not required. If your residence permit is temporary, the loan term may depend on how long it is valid.
What the bank requires
- Net salary from 1 550 € per month
- Permanent employment contract, at least 3 months with your current employer (some banks require 6)
- Registered address in Germany (Anmeldung) and a German bank account (IBAN)
- Clean SCHUFA — no arrears, debts or enforcement proceedings
What newcomers should know
- SCHUFA as a newcomer. A short history is fine; negative entries are not. You can check your SCHUFA for free by requesting a “Datenkopie nach Art. 15 DSGVO”.
- Transfers abroad. Regular transfers via Wise, TransferGo or Azimo to foreign cards can be seen as a risk by banks.
- Down payment. Without one you can usually finance about 11 times your net monthly salary; for pricier cars you pay the difference upfront.
- Car documents. Until the loan is repaid, the bank usually keeps the vehicle title (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II), and comprehensive insurance (Vollkasko) is often required.
Documents
- Passport and residence permit (or EU ID card)
- Payslip (Lohnabrechnung) for the last month
- Registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
- Rental agreement
How to apply with us
- Choose a car in the catalogue and check the payment in the loan calculator (term 24–84 months).
- Apply online and upload your documents from your phone in your personal account.
- We check the documents and submit the application to our partner bank. The bank makes the decision.
- Sign the contract and collect your car.
Our website is available in English, German, Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish.
