Download Service for Scientific Use Files
Please note: Due to legal restrictions, SUF may only be used by researchers who are employed by a research institution that is registered and located in Germany. The use of Scientific Use Files may only take place in Germany. Researchers from foreign institutions are asked to use remote execution or to work at a safe centre.
The Research Data Centres of the Statistical Offices of the Federation and the Federal States (RDC) offer so-called Scientific Use Files (SUF) for various statistics. SUF are standardised, de facto anonymous data sets that are suitable for many scientific research projects. Due to the de facto anonymisation of the microdata, they may be used outside the protected areas of official statistics. The prerequisite for this is that the requesting institution is located in Germany and that the data provided are only used on the premises of the requesting scientific institutions within Germany. In addition, all data users must be obliged to statistical confidentiality in accordance with Section 16 (7) Federal Statistics Act (BStatG).
The SUF are made available via a download service of the RDC. As soon as the requested SUF are available for download, you will receive corresponding information and a download link by e-mail. When you apply for the SUF, the necessary registration for the download service is automatically triggered (see following information).
Important: In order to be able to obtain Scientific Use Files via the download service, you must first submit a request for access.
Registration and data protection
Please note that a one-time registration is required to use the download service. As soon as the requested data is available for download, you will receive an e-mail with your access data. You can register your account via a link in the e-mail (instructions for registration are provided in the attachment to the registration e-mail). During the registration, personal data will be collected (first and last name, e-mail address, telephone number (for two-factor authentication), institute affiliation), with which a log-in as well as the use of the system is possible. By registering, you consent to the storage of your personal data.
Further information on the processing of your personal data can be found in our note on data privacy