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Your UK Life Deserves UK Credit

Whether you've just arrived or been here for years, your UK credit history starts fresh. Your European credit history doesn't transfer. Time to build it.

No credit check. No immigration status check. Cancel anytime.

Important
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

Key takeaways

  • Credit histories don't transfer between countries — EU credit files are invisible to UK lenders
  • Both settled and pre-settled status work for credit building
  • Registering on the electoral roll is a quick win for your credit file
  • You can start building UK credit with just a bank account and address
  • Wollit reports to all three UK credit agencies from month one

The post-Brexit credit reality

Before Brexit, EU citizens could move to the UK freely. But credit files never moved with you.

What hasn't changed
  • Credit histories don't transfer between countries
  • UK lenders only see UK credit data
  • You start with an empty credit file
What has changed
  • You now need settled or pre-settled status to stay
  • Some lenders are uncertain about immigration status
  • Documentation requirements have increased

Whether you arrived in 2005 or 2025, if you haven't actively built UK credit, lenders see a blank file.

Credit files don't travel

Even if you had excellent credit in Germany, France, or Spain, UK lenders can't see it. Credit bureaus operate nationally. Your German, French, Spanish, or any other European credit history doesn't appear on UK credit files.

Settled vs pre-settled status

Both statuses let you build credit. Here's what to know.

Settled status (permanent)
  • Permanent right to live in UK
  • No time limit on your stay
  • Full access to credit products (subject to affordability)
  • Mortgages available from most lenders
Pre-settled status (temporary)
  • Valid for 5 years
  • Can apply for settled status after 5 years continuous residence
  • Most credit products accessible
  • Some lenders may be cautious about mortgages

For credit building purposes, both statuses work fine with Wollit. We don't check or require any specific immigration status.

The electoral roll advantage

EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can register to vote in local elections. This adds you to the electoral roll.

Why does this matter? Lenders use the electoral roll to verify your identity and address. Being registered makes you easier to identify and reduces friction in credit applications.

Register at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes 5 minutes and helps your credit file.

How Wollit helps EU citizens

We built Wollit for exactly this situation. No credit history required. No immigration status check.

No credit history required

We don’t expect you to have UK credit history. That’s the whole point. We help you build it.

No immigration status check

We need a UK bank account and address. We don’t check your visa or settled status.

Payment reporting

Monthly payments reported to all three UK credit agencies. Start building your UK credit footprint.

Rent reporting

Most EU citizens rent when they first arrive (and often for years after). Make that rent build your credit.

Affordability boost

Open Banking shows your UK income patterns, regardless of how long you’ve been here.

Building UK credit from zero

Your first steps:

1
Get a UK bank account (most high street banks, or Monzo/Starling)
2
Register on the electoral roll (you can if you have settled/pre-settled status)
3
Start building credit with Wollit

Your timeline

Months 1–3

Credit file begins to exist.

Months 3–6

Basic credit products accessible.

Months 6–12

Credit score can start improving.

Years 1–2

Credit cards, car finance possible.

Years 2+

Mortgage consideration (settled status helps).

What members say

Using Wollit for nearly 2 years

My credit history improved very well. Wollit is a good credit building app for people with no credit history or bad credit... Worth it for money.

Charmin Balasingam

Score getting better and better

Great app. I am really happy. My score getting better and better. Thank you Wollit.

Todorka Vasileva

Transformed my credit file

My credit file has been completely transformed. From thin file to a healthy history in under a year.

George Young

FAQs

Does my credit score from my home country transfer to the UK?
No. Credit bureaus operate nationally. Your German, French, Spanish (etc.) credit history doesn't appear on UK credit files.
Do I need settled status to build UK credit?
No. You can build credit with pre-settled status too. Some lenders may be more cautious about mortgages for pre-settled applicants, but general credit building works the same.
Can I register on the electoral roll?
EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can register to vote in local elections, which adds you to the electoral roll. This helps your credit score.
Which banks accept EU citizens?
Most UK banks accept EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status. Digital banks like Monzo and Starling often have simpler sign-up processes.
Will UK credit help me if I return to my home country?
No. Credit files don't transfer in either direction. But if you're living in the UK, you need UK credit for UK products.
I have been here 10 years but never built credit. Is it too late?
Not at all. Length of residence doesn't equal credit history. Start building now.
Does signing up involve a credit check?
No. Creating an account doesn't require a credit check. We don't check your credit history to join Wollit.

Tools & resources

Understand where you stand and what to focus on.

GlossaryUK credit terms like utilisation, hard searches, and affordabilityCredit score rangesHow each credit agency scores you and what the bands meanCheck my scoreA quick way to understand where you stand and what to focus on next

Related resources

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