How long is the probation period in Germany?

A probation period (Probezeit) in Germany lasts a maximum of six months, though some contracts set it at three months. During this time, either side can terminate with just two weeks notice (Section 622 (3) of the German Civil Code, BGB). The exact duration is in your employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag).

Do rejections hurt my Schufa score?

Rejections themselves are not recorded in Schufa. However, too many hard loan applications (Kreditanfragen) within a short period can leave a mark. Rate inquiries (Konditionsanfragen) through comparison portals are Schufa-neutral and do not affect your score at all.

What is the difference between a guarantor and a co-borrower?

A guarantor (Bürge) only becomes liable if you cannot pay (subsidiary liability, Section 765 BGB). A co-borrower (Zweiter Kreditnehmer) is equally responsible from day one and must submit all financial documents. For banks, a co-borrower with a permanent job is often the preferred option.

Can I get a car loan during probation in Germany?

Yes. Car loans are often easier to get during probation because the vehicle itself serves as collateral. The bank holds the vehicle title (Fahrzeugbrief, registration certificate part II) as security until the loan is fully repaid. See our detailed car loan during probation guide for more.

Which platforms approve loans during probation?

Comparison portals like Verivox, Smava, and Check24 forward your application to 20+ partner banks. Online credit platforms such as auxmoney accept probation applicants more often than traditional branch banks because they use automated scoring.

Is a permanent contract better for getting a loan?

Significantly better. A permanent employment contract (unbefristeter Vertrag) tells the bank you will continue working after probation ends. A fixed-term contract (befristeter Vertrag) during probation makes approval harder because the bank sees a double risk.

Guide for Employees in Germany

Loan During Probation in Germany Without a GuarantorRequirements, rates and tips for 2026

Q: Can I really get a loan during probation without a guarantor?

Yes. Several banks lend during probation without a guarantor, but they often charge somewhat higher interest because your income could fall away if you are let go on short notice. Your chances improve with a permanent contract (unbefristeter Vertrag), a smaller loan amount, and a co-borrower in permanent employment.

Q: Will my employer find out about my loan application?

No. A Konditionsanfrage (rate inquiry) through comparison portals is confidential and does not appear on your Schufa record. Your employer has no way of knowing you applied. Just make sure you are submitting a Konditionsanfrage, not a hard Kreditanfrage.

Q: What interest rates can I expect during probation?

Customers in probation tend to pay somewhat more than those with permanent employment. As a reference point, Verivox reports a median effective rate of around 8 percent for loans taken out by probation customers (evaluation June 2025 to May 2026). The market average for consumer loans was around 6.95 percent according to the Deutsche Bundesbank (1 to 5 year fixed, as of April 2026). Your actual rate depends on creditworthiness, term, and provider.

Q: My loan application was rejected. What now?

Try a different comparison portal since each works with different partner banks. Consider applying for a smaller amount (1,000 to 3,000 euros). Ask your employer about an Arbeitgeberdarlehen (employer loan). Or wait until probation ends, when conditions improve significantly.

In your probation period (Probezeit) and need a loan, but have no guarantor? It is possible. Here you learn which banks approve, what they check, and how to improve your chances.

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No guarantor needed

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Key Takeaways

•A loan during probation without a guarantor is possible. Some banks approve it but often charge slightly higher interest because of the risk.
•What matters most: a permanent contract, regular income, and a smaller loan amount (1,000 to 3,000 euros is easier to approve).
•Instead of a guarantor, a co-borrower in permanent employment clearly improves your chances.
•Compare via a Konditionsanfrage (Schufa-neutral). Probation customers pay a median effective rate of around 8 percent according to Verivox (as of 2026).

meinetarife24 Editorial Team

Independent Editorial

Our independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.

Last updated:June 21, 2026

Independent Editorial

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Regularly Updated

Important to understand

Probation is not a deal-breaker. Banks are more cautious because the notice period during probation is just two weeks (Section 622 (3) BGB), so your income could in theory fall away faster. With the right documents, a loan is still realistic, even without a guarantor.

Possible without a guarantor

Better terms after probation

Key German Terms Explained

Probezeit = Probation period, max 6 months. Notice period: 2 weeks (Section 622 (3) BGB)

Bürge = Guarantor, liable only if you cannot pay (subsidiary)

Zweiter Kreditnehmer = Co-borrower, equally responsible from day one

Konditionsanfrage = Schufa-neutral rate inquiry that does not affect your score

Effektivzins = Effective annual rate including all fees

Unbefristeter Vertrag = Permanent employment contract (no time limit)

Why is a loan harder during probation?

During probation your employment can be ended with just two weeks notice (Section 622 (3) BGB). For the bank that means a higher risk that your income disappears during the loan term. So banks check more closely in this phase and often charge slightly higher interest, or decline. But there is no blanket ban.

What improves your chances

•Permanent employment contract
•Smaller loan amount and shorter term
•Co-borrower in permanent employment
•Clean Schufa and regular salary deposits

What makes the check harder

•Fixed-term contract during probation
•High amount with short employment history
•Negative or thin Schufa file
•Several hard credit inquiries in a short time

Guarantor or co-borrower? The difference

Many people look for a guarantor, but a co-borrower is often the better solution for banks. The difference matters:

Criterion	Guarantor (Bürge)	Co-borrower
Liability	Only if you fail to pay (subsidiary)	Full and equal from day one
Documents	Usually just a guarantee contract	Full creditworthiness check
Bank preference	Less often accepted	Preferred
Effect on rate	Minor	Can noticeably lower the rate

Tip: a spouse or partner with a permanent contract as co-borrower is often the fastest route to approval, with no classic guarantor needed.

Where to apply and what rates to expect

Not every provider checks the same way. Comparison portals forward your rate inquiry to many partner banks at once, which is Schufa-neutral and quickly shows who will make you an offer despite probation. The figures below are reference points; your personal rate depends on creditworthiness, term, and amount.

Route	Schufa	Probation-friendly?
Comparison portals (Verivox, Smava, Check24)	Rate inquiry (neutral)	Yes
Online credit platforms (e.g. auxmoney)	Yes, accepts thin files	Often yes
Online banks (ING, DKB, Santander)	Yes, but flexible	Sometimes
Branch banks (Sparkasse, Volksbank)	Yes, strict	Rarely

Context (as of June 2026): Customers in probation tend to pay more than those with permanent employment. Verivox reports a median effective rate of around 8 percent for loans taken out by probation customers (evaluation June 2025 to May 2026). For comparison: the market average for consumer loans was around 6.95 percent according to the Deutsche Bundesbank (1 to 5 year fixed, as of April 2026). Always compare the effective annual rate, it includes all costs.

Never hide your probation status

Never hide from the bank that you are in probation. False statements count as intentional deception. The consequences are harsh: the bank can call the loan due immediately, a negative Schufa entry can follow, and the remaining balance becomes payable at once. For warning signs of dubious offers, see also the German financial regulator BaFin.

Never do

- Hide probation or a fixed-term contract
- Pay upfront fees before you have the loan
- Sign contracts you do not understand
- Trust offers promising guaranteed approval for everyone

Always do

- Check the provider in the BaFin register
- Compare several offers via a rate inquiry
- Keep the monthly payment under 10 to 15 percent of net income
- Read the full contract before signing

Compare loan offers during probation now

Compare different loan providers. Rate inquiries are Schufa-neutral, so the comparison does not affect your score.

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* Representative example: net loan amount 10,000 EUR, term 84 months, effective annual rate 3.99% to 9.99% (depending on creditworthiness). This is a brokerage offer.

Advertising notice (Werbehinweis / Affiliate): meinetarife24.de is an independent comparison service and acts as a loan broker, not as a bank. We may receive a commission (Provision) if you complete a comparison or sign a contract through a partner link, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect which offers you see.

Step by step, how to proceed

Have your employment contract ready

A permanent contract clearly improves your chances. The bank wants to see that you will keep working after probation.

Choose a smaller amount

1,000 to 3,000 EUR is more likely to be approved and shows your reliability when repaid on time.

Make a rate inquiry via a comparison portal

It is Schufa-neutral and reaches several banks at once. Use our credit comparison.

Match the payment to your income

Pick a monthly payment of at most 10 to 15 percent of your net salary. That shows the bank you can carry the burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Loan during probation without a guarantor

Can I really get a loan during probation without a guarantor?

Yes. Some banks lend during probation without a guarantor, often at slightly higher rates. Your chances rise with a permanent contract, a smaller amount, and a co-borrower in permanent employment.

What interest rates can I expect during probation?

Probation customers tend to pay more. Verivox reports a median effective rate of around 8 percent (evaluation June 2025 to May 2026). The market average for consumer loans was around 6.95 percent according to the Bundesbank (as of April 2026). Your rate depends on creditworthiness, term, and provider.

Will my employer find out about my loan application?

No. The Schufa inquiry is confidential. Make sure you submit a Konditionsanfrage (Schufa-neutral) and not a hard credit application.

Guarantor or co-borrower, which is better?

For banks a co-borrower is usually the better option. A guarantor is only liable if you fail to pay. A co-borrower is equally responsible from day one, which lowers the bank's risk and often the rate.

My loan application was rejected, what now?

Do not give up. Try a different broker (each has different partner banks), apply for a smaller amount, ask your employer about an employer loan, or wait until probation ends. A car loan can also be easier, see our car loan during probation guide.

Sources & Methodology

Our methodology: this guide summarises what banks and brokers in Germany actually check for applicants in probation. We quote interest only as dated market averages or median values with a linked primary source (Sources: see below), never as an advertised best rate. We do not grant loans ourselves; brokerage is handled through our partners (Affiliate / commission disclosure above). Content last reviewed on 21 June 2026.

Section 622 BGB – notice periods, probation (2 weeks)
Deutsche Bundesbank – interest statistics for consumer loans (market averages)
Verivox – median effective rate for probation customers
BaFin – provider checks and consumer guidance

All information without guarantee. As of June 2026. Loan terms depend on creditworthiness and may vary.

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