International Player Guide
EU-Wide Professional Standards
Note: While many countries in this list are part of the Schengen area, please be aware that non-EU countries like Switzerland and the UK have distinct immigration and labour laws that differ significantly from EU regulations.
Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your contract's end date and it must not be more than ten years old under any circumstances.
Employment Status: Never rely on a tourist visa for athletic activity. A professional contract is your primary legal protection. If a club claims you can "adjust your status" after arrival, this is a major red flag.
Social Security & Insurance: You must be covered by health insurance from your first day. A club's failure to register you for social security is illegal and leaves you vulnerable in case of injury.
EU-Wide Entry Requirements
Financial Proof: You must be able to prove you can support yourself. If your contract doesn't meet salary thresholds, ensure the club provides an official sponsorship/guarantee letter.
Housing & Records: Keep a copy of your accommodation confirmation. Have a recent "Clear Criminal Record" (Police Certificate) from your home country ready; many EU immigration offices request this.
Health Documentation: Carry private travel health insurance (min. 30,000 EUR coverage) for your arrival period. Keep an international vaccination record handy, as some leagues may require proof of standard immunizations.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Germany: Supplemental Requirements
In addition to the general EU regulations, players and coaches must be aware of the following specific German procedures and national laws.
What to Request & Verify BEFORE Arrival
- ZAV Approval (Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung): The club must apply for and receive approval for your employment from the Federal Employment Agency before you enter Germany. Do not travel on a promise; ask the team to send you a copy of the official ZAV approval letter.
- Professional Status Confirmation: Ensure your club has secured the official confirmation letter from the national sports federation. This is required by the embassy to verify you fall under the professional athlete regulation, which allows deviations from the standard high-salary thresholds.
Mandatory Steps Upon Arrival
- Address Registration (Anmeldung): You are legally required to register your living address at the local city hall (Bürgeramt) within 14 days of moving in. You will need a signed landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) from your club or landlord. This registration triggers the generation of your Tax ID, which is mandatory for legal payroll.
- Public Health Insurance: With a valid German employment contract, you must be registered with a German public health insurance fund (e.g., AOK, TK, Barmer). Private travel insurance is only acceptable for the transition period before your contract starts.
Contract Duration & Termination Rights
Most seasonal player contracts are fixed-term contracts (Befristete Arbeitsverträge). In Germany, under the Act on Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment (TzBfG § 15 Abs. 3), a fixed-term contract cannot be ordinarily terminated by the employer before the agreed end date, unless this option was explicitly written into your contract.
What to do if your salary is missing (Wage Theft):
- Written Warning (Mahnung): If your salary is delayed by even one day, you have the right to issue a written warning to the club setting a strict deadline (usually 5-7 days) to pay.
- Right to Refuse Work (Zurückbehaltungsrecht): According to § 273 BGB, if the club is significantly behind on payments (usually more than 1-2 months), you have the right to refuse to train or play while still being entitled to your full salary, provided you have issued a warning first.
- Extraordinary Termination: If the club repeatedly fails to pay after your warnings, you have the right to terminate the contract immediately for "good cause" (§ 626 BGB) and sue the club for the remaining salary of the entire season as damages.
Mandatory Activity & Working Time Logging
If a dispute regarding unpaid wages or your employment status ends up in court, the burden of proof is on you. In Germany, according to Federal Labour Court rulings, all professional athletic obligations count as mandatory working time.
What legally counts as Working Time:
- Practice & Games: Time spent on the field, warm-ups, and mandatory team meetings.
- Gym & Strength Sessions: Workout or rehab sessions ordered by the coaching staff.
- Meetings & Film Study: Team meetings, position reviews, and digital film study (e.g., via Hudl or remote tools).
- Travel Time to Away Games (Transit): Pure transit time (e.g., sitting passively on a bus or train) can be legally complex depending on individual agreements or specific club policies. However, if the coaching staff asks or orders you to perform work during the transit—such as required team meetings, tactical briefings, or video analysis on the bus/flight—that specific duration strictly counts as mandatory working time.
How to keep a bulletproof "Work Log":
- Save screenshots of calendar invites, WhatsApp messages from staff, or Hudl usage logs.
- Log daily hours manually with exact start and end times for every single mandatory team activity.
Housing & Medical Care Safety Clauses
Housing: Never accept verbal promises regarding your accommodation. Ensure it is explicitly stated in writing who covers rent, utilities (heating, electricity), internet, and what your housing rights are if the contract ends prematurely.
Medical Care: While standard treatments and essential MRIs are covered once you are registered in the public health system, clubs often use private doctors or specialized sports clinics to speed up recovery. Clarify in writing who covers private medical fees, specialized surgery, or rehabilitation costs if you suffer a season-ending injury.
Support & Resource Center
If you experience wage theft, contract issues, housing/visa problems, or if your club refuses to register you for public health insurance, contact:
Austria: Supplemental Requirements
In addition to the general EU regulations, players and coaches must be aware of the following specific Austrian procedures and national laws.
What to Request & Verify BEFORE Arrival
- Valid Employment Contract: Ensure your signed contract explicitly details your salary/payment schedule, housing arrangements, health insurance coverage, contract duration, duties as a player/coach, and return flight responsibilities.
- Work Permit (Non-EU Citizens): Third-country nationals generally require a residence permit with work authorization (such as a Red-White-Red Card where applicable) or a specific employment permit. Your club must coordinate this with the Austrian authorities before your arrival. Never travel on verbal promises.
Mandatory Steps Upon Arrival
- Residence Registration (Meldezettel): You are legally required to register your residence at the local municipal office (Gemeinde) or registration office (Meldeamt) within three days of moving into your accommodation. You will need your passport and a completed Meldezettel form signed by your landlord or club representative.
- Health Insurance: Anyone legally employed in Austria must be registered with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) by the employer. Private travel insurance is only an interim solution until your official employment starts.
- Tax Number & Payroll: Your employer must deduct payroll taxes automatically. Always demand and keep copies of every monthly payslip (Lohnzettel).
Contract Duration & Termination Rights
Most seasonal player contracts are fixed-term agreements. While they naturally expire at the end of the specified period, Austrian labor law strictly protects employees against unlawful dismissal or immediate termination without valid legal cause. Always verify notice periods, grounds for termination, and your housing rights if the contract ends prematurely.
What to Do if Your Salary is Missing (Wage Theft):
- Step 1 – Written Reminder (Mahnung): Send a written payment reminder setting a strict deadline of 5–7 days. Keep copies of all emails, WhatsApp messages, and bank statements.
- Step 2 – Legal Action & Termination: Under Austrian law, repeated non-payment of wages may justify immediate resignation for "good cause" (Austritt), allowing you to claim your remaining salary and damages through the court.
Mandatory Activity & Working Time Logging
In employment disputes, the burden of proof regarding hours worked rests heavily on you. Maintain an independent, detailed log with dates, exact start/end times, and descriptions of all mandatory activities.
- Football Activities: Practices, games, warm-ups, and mandatory team meetings.
- Strength & Conditioning: Weight room sessions and mandatory rehabilitation ordered by staff.
- Meetings & Film Study: Position meetings, team video reviews, Hudl assignments, and remote briefings.
- Team Travel: Required transit (bus, train, flights) counts as working time depending on circumstances, especially if you are required to perform team tasks or attend mandatory meetings during transit.
Housing & Medical Care Safety Clauses
Housing: Request all living arrangements in writing before traveling. Clarify who pays rent/utilities, deposit requirements, and what happens to the housing if the contract ends early.
Medical Care: Football is high-risk. Clearly define in your contract which physician treats players, who covers expensive MRI examinations or surgeries, and what happens to your compensation in the event of a season-ending injury.
Support & Resource Center
If you experience wage theft, contract disputes, housing issues, or visa and immigration problems, contact these official bodies immediately:
France
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Italy
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Poland
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Czechia
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Switzerland
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UK
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