E-Sport Visum Germany is home to and host of internationally renowned esports competitions. Professional esports players and their coaching staff therefore depend on being able to enter Germany with as little bureaucracy as possible in order to participate in tournaments, leagues, and training sessions — and to stay in the country for the duration of these events. Because prize money and participation fees are considered income, nationals from non-EU countries generally require a residence permit for the purpose of employment (Section 4 (1) of the Residence Act – Aufenthaltsgesetz). Business or tourist visas are not sufficient. Until autumn 2018, such residence permits could only be issued with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit, BA). Since then, both short-term and long-term stays for professional esports players and their coaching staff have been simplified. Short-term stay According to the Visa Handbook of the Federal Foreign Office, esports is classified as an “activity of a sporting nature” under Section 22 (1) No. 1 of the Employment Regulation (Beschäftigungsverordnung). This means that esports players and their support staff do not require approval from the Federal Employment Agency in order to obtain a residence permit — provided that their stay in Germany does not exceed 90 days within a 12-month period: No approval is required for granting a residence permit to […] persons, including their support staff, who, while maintaining their habitual residence abroad, engage in lectures or performances of special scientific, artistic, or sporting value in Germany, if the duration of their activity does not exceed 90 days within a 12-month period. Long-term stay Longer stays are also regulated under the Employment Regulation (Beschäftigungsverordnung). Since April 2020, it has become easier for esports professionals to obtain the necessary residence permit. Under certain conditions, persons who practice esports professionally do not require approval from the Federal Employment Agency to receive a residence permit. The relevant conditions are laid out in Section 22 of the Employment Regulation: No approval is required for granting a residence permit to […] persons who professionally engage in esports competitions and whose employment with a German club or a comparable esports organization participating in competitions is planned, provided that a) they are at least 16 years old, b) the club or organization pays a gross salary of at least 50 percent of the contribution assessment ceiling in the statutory pension insurance, and c) the national governing body for esports in Germany confirms that the activity is professional and that the particular form of esports is of significant national or international importance. Esports Representation in Germany On the federal level, esports in Germany is represented by the Esport-Bund Deutschland (ESBD) and game esports, the esports division of game – the German Games Industry Association. As the national federation for esports, the ESBD represents professional teams, grassroots clubs, and their athletes across Germany. Members of game esports include game developers, platform providers, and service companies. Both associations also represent tournament organizers. To ensure esports in Germany is represented in its full scope, the two associations work closely and in good faith together — including on matters related to the Employment Regulation. They have established a joint working group to define the procedure for confirming the “professional practice” of esports and determining whether a competition is of “significant national or international importance.” This working group has commissioned the ESBD to implement the process and to act as the central contact point for relevant ministries and applicants. FAQ: The Esports Visa What is it about? The Esports Long-Term Visa (Section 22 No. 5 Employment Regulation) allows professional esports players from non-EU countries to obtain a residence permit without approval from the Federal Employment Agency, enabling them to join a professional team based in Germany under an employment contract. What duration of stay are we talking about? The long-term visa applies to stays exceeding 90 days. For up to 90 days, the short-term visa applies (Section 22 No. 1 Employment Regulation). The duration of the long-term stay depends on the length of the esports professional’s employment contract. Where can applications for esports visas be submitted? Applications for esports visas can be submitted to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for the registered address of the professional esports team that the player will be joining. The local immigration office is solely responsible for deciding whether a short-term or long-term visa is granted. What are the requirements for applicants? To apply for a long-term esports visa, applicants must meet three criteria: Age: The applicant must be at least 16 years old. Income: The agreed salary must be at least 50 percent of the contribution assessment ceiling for statutory pension insurance (in 2025: €4.025 per month / €48.300 per year). Confirmation by ESBD: The ESBD must confirm that the activity is professional and of significant national or international importance. This confirmation is considered granted if the player participates in an event listed as a qualified esports competition What kind of support is available? In certain cases, the ESBD provides individual support for esports players. For ESBD members, this support is free of charge. Please note that such support does not replace legal advice. What is a “qualified competition”? A qualified competition is a league or tournament series of national or international significance. The ESBD, in close coordination with game esports, has developed a set of criteria to meet the requirements defined by law. A qualified competition must meet the following criteria: It is a league or tournament series with one or more annual events held in Germany. Age rating (USK): The competition uses one or more games with an age rating under the Youth Protection Act (Jugendschutzgesetz). For purely online tournaments with remote participation, an age rating under the IARC system is sufficient. Organizers must ensure that participants meet the age requirements of the respective rating. The league or tournament series must rank among the top 3 most-watched national events for the respective game (measured by peak viewers, average minute audience, or hours watched) or among the top 10 international events. A valid publisher license for use of the esports titles is required. The organizer must safeguard the integrity of its competitions and implement measures or rules to prevent cheating, doping, match-fixing, and prohibited betting on matches involving their own organization. How can organizers have their tournaments or leagues recognized as qualified competitions? The ESBD has set up an online application portal where organizers can submit the required documentation. After review, the ESBD provides a written decision. The list of qualified competitions is published on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). Applications for recognition are processed twice a year. What if esports athletes want to participate in a league or tournament that is not yet listed as a qualified competition? In such cases, the ESBD reviews whether the league or tournament series meets the criteria established by ESBD and game esports. If the review is positive, the ESBD issues an individual confirmation.
