Does your credit score go overseas?

So, you’re wondering about your credit score – will it follow you overseas? Like, magically appear in some new country’s system? Nope. Sadly, no. It doesn’t work like that, at least not in my experience. I mean, I moved to Spain a few years ago, and let me tell you, setting up a bank account there felt like navigating a labyrinth, let alone dealing with their credit system.

It’s all about different countries having their own rules, you know? Something about data protection laws – which, honestly, makes sense. They don’t want some random American company having access to everyone’s financial details in, say, Portugal. Wouldn’t want that, would we?

So, basically, you start fresh. A clean slate! Sounds exciting, right? It’s a bit terrifying, too, if I’m honest. Building credit from scratch in a new place… it felt like being a teenager again, except instead of begging my parents for money, I was begging for a credit card with a tiny limit. I still remember the sheer relief when I finally got approved for a small one, it was such a win!

Anyway, the point is, your US credit score (or your UK one, or wherever you’re from) stays put. It’s a purely domestic thing. You’ll have to go through the whole credit-building process all over again in your new country. Prepare for some paperwork, potentially. Just be prepared for a bit of a fresh start – both exciting and nerve wracking!