In some European countries, people don't have credit scores, but when they're applying for a mortgage, they also need a collateral which costs about the same as the house or apartment they're trying to buy.
[citation needed]; which countries? Obviously a 100% deposit is an exaggeration, and 5-10% more normal depending on the market, so what's the true deposit number?
That collateral is usually the house or apartment that your are trying to buy. You can use something else, if you want, but usually it is the thing you buy.
I'd rather have credit scores, tbh.