Malta has introduced a significant update to its immigration framework with the launch of a dedicated 100-day sports visa for non-EU athletes. This new regime is designed to facilitate foreign sports professionals attending trials with Maltese clubs, providing a clear and robust legal basis for short-term stays linked to professional sports.
Malta has introduced a significant update to its immigration framework with the launch of a dedicated 100-day sports visa for non-EU athletes. This new regime is designed to facilitate foreign sports professionals attending trials with Maltese clubs, providing a clear and robust legal basis for short-term stays linked to professional sports.
Previously, non-EU athletes were hosted under a general short-term ‘C’ visa, which did not explicitly cater for professional sports trials and posed challenges for clubs seeking to onboard international talent. Under the new policy, non-EU athletes invited to Malta for trials must now apply for a non-renewable 100-day ‘D’ sports visa, ensuring proper compliance with Malta’s immigration, employment, and tax regulations.
To be eligible for the Malta sports visa:
If a trial results in successful recruitment, the sponsoring club must apply for the relevant work and residence permit at least 20 days before the sports visa expires. If the trial is unsuccessful, the athlete must leave Malta and the Schengen Area to apply for other employment opportunities.
This update forms part of Malta’s broader Labour Migration Policy, which seeks to address skills gaps, retain workers, and strengthen the integrity of Malta’s immigration system. By introducing this dedicated sports visa, Malta aims to provide a fair, clear, and legally sound route for clubs to attract international talent, while preventing regulatory loopholes and potential misuse.
At Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates our dedicated team advises clubs, agents, and athletes on all legal aspects of Sports Law, Tax Law, and Immigration Law in Malta. We help ensure that all contractual arrangements, visa applications, and compliance obligations are handled efficiently and in line with Maltese legislation.
Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates - Supporting International Sports and Talent Mobility in Malta.
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