Does Klarna perform a credit check and will this affect my credit score?

Yes, we perform a credit check. This can affect your credit score depending on which payment option you choose in the checkout.

As a responsible lender, we want to ensure we’re helping you make the right financial decisions for your circumstances. When a credit check is performed, we verify your identity using the details you provided and we look at information from your credit report. Depending on the payment option you choose, we may perform different types of searches and checks to assess your financial standing:

• A soft credit check is performed when you apply for our Buy Now Pay Later options which will not affect your credit score. However, as a responsible lender, we share data about your payments to credit reference agencies which are visible to other lenders.
• A hard credit check will be conducted when applying for one of our Financing options. This may affect your credit score.

Our credit checks are performed by the credit reference agencies Transunion & Experian. If you have questions regarding their services, your credit score, or the data provided as part of a credit check, contact the credit reference agencies directly. Credit checks are performed in accordance with Klarna’s Terms & Conditions.

How using Klarna will affect your credit score

Using Klarna will not affect your credit score. However, information such as payment holidays and existing, late and unpaid balances is visible on your credit file to other lenders.

Making repayments on time consistently will help build a positive history when using our payment options.

Good to know: Mortgage lenders could possibly include your monthly Buy Now Pay Later commitments as part of their affordability checks.