Professional sport today is characterised by a high degree of international mobility. However, such a transfer abroad is usually accompanied by numerous legal challenges – whether it is applying for a residence permit, family reunification or concluding an employment contract.
As a multidisciplinary full-service law firm, Schlun & Elseven has excellent expertise and many years of experience in dealing with the complex requirements of German immigration and residence law. Our lawyers will take care of the entire application process for the required residence permit and will also assist you in resolving any sports and employment law issues to ensure that your stay in Germany is a complete success. Please, do not hesitate to contact us for expert legal support.
The Residence Permit for Athletes/Coaches
You must first have a residence permit to come to Germany as an athlete/trainer from another EU country. This temporary residence permit allows you to live in Germany for a specific time (Section 7 German Residence Act / Aufenthaltsgesetz ). A residence permit must have been issued for employment to be allowed to work in Germany.
According to Section 22 German Employment Regulation, a residence permit for employment may be issued to professional sportspeople and professional coaches/trainers based on certain conditions. First of all, they must have an employment offer or contract with a German sports club or a sporting body. If this most basic requirement is met, the following three conditions apply:
- The applicant must have reached the age of 16 years,
- the association or institution pays a gross salary equal to at le