A woman visiting another country walks through a courtyard with a large statue and groups of people.

Do Other Countries Have Credit Scores?

5 min read

Published March 12, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Some other countries have credit scores, but they differ from the credit score in the U.S.
You may not be able to use your U.S. credit score in a different country.
If you relocate to another country, you may want to keep using your U.S. credit card to ensure your U.S. credit score stays in good standing.

If you’re considering temporarily or permanently relocating to another country, you may be wondering how other countries handle credit scores and if you’ll be able to use your U.S. credit score abroad.

Your credit score in the U.S. is a three-digit number between 300 to 800 that helps lenders measure your creditworthiness, or how likely it is that you’ll pay back a loan. You could build your credit score in part by using a credit card responsibly, paying your bills on time and keeping your credit usage low.

A good credit score may help you rent an apartment or house or for favorable loan and mortgage rates in the U.S. Plus, with a strong credit history, you may qualify for a wider range of credit cards that allow you to earn rewards on your everyday purchases.

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While some other countries have credit scores, they may have different scoring systems and calculations, so it’s unlikely you would be able to use your credit score internationally. Other countries have entirely different systems in place of credit scores. If you relocate, it’s helpful to know that you’ll likely have to rebuild your credit from scratch wherever you land.

How other countries use credit scores

Other countries may have their own credit scoring systems or they may not use credit scores at all. If a country does have credit scores, its models may differ from U.S. credit scoring models.

In the U.S., lenders report your credit history to the three main credit bureaus: Equifax^®, Experian^®, and TransUnion^®. The two main credit scoring systems, FICO^® and¹ VantageScore^®, then use the information in your credit report, including your payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit and credit mix to create a credit score. When you go to borrow money, financial institutions factor in your credit score to their lending decisions.

Scoring agencies in other countries may consider different criteria when calculating a credit score, and the numerical score range may be different, too.

Examples of credit systems in other countries

Here are some examples of credit systems in other countries:

Canada: Canada’s credit scoring system is somewhat similar to the U.S. According to the Canadian government, the scoring system uses a broader scoring range of 300 to 900. Canada also uses Equifax^® and TransUnion^® as its two main credit bureaus.
United Kingdom: Similar to the U.S., Equifax^®, Experian^®, and TransUnion^® are the three main credit reporting agencies in the U.K.
Australia: The main credit agencies include Equifax^®, Experian^®, and illion^®, according to the Australian government. The Australian credit score range is from 0 to 1,000 or 1,200, depending on the agency. Recently, Experian^® and illion^® have merged, which may impact credit reporting in the future.

How does your U.S. credit score translate to other countries?

Your U.S. credit score may not translate to other countries’ financial systems since most countries have their own ways of evaluating a borrower's creditworthiness, and some countries may not use credit scores at all. Instead, financial institutions may rely on information like your income and employment status to determine whether they may give you a loan or issue you a credit card.

What happens to your credit score if you leave the U.S.?

If you're temporarily relocating to another country, you may still want to maintain your credit score in the U.S. so you don’t have to start over when you move back. You may do this by continuing to use your U.S. credit card for everyday purchases and paying your monthly bill on time. You’ll likely need to maintain a U.S. address while you’re away, however.

You’ll want to be mindful of foreign transaction fees in another country, which could add up quickly depending on the card or bank you’re using. One potential solution is to use a credit card without foreign transaction fees or apply for a card without fees before you leave the U.S.

Did you know?

If you use your credit card abroad for your everyday needs and travel costs, a Discover ^® card could help. Discover has no foreign transaction fee on international purchases.

See if You’re Pre-Approved

If you’re moving permanently and it’s easier to pay off and close your existing accounts, your U.S. credit score may go down.

The bottom line

While credit scores may be used by some countries around the world, they may be calculated and reported differently. Other countries may not use credit scores at all. Having different systems means that your U.S. credit score may not transfer between countries, even when there is a similar system in place, such as with Canada. If you decide to relocate to a new country, you may need to focus on building credit first by opening a local bank account and paying your bills on time.

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