If sport is not just a hobby for you, but a professional type of activity, then pay attention to Slovakia. Slovakia can be a great place to build your sports career, obtain sports residence permit in Slovakia and after – the EU passport.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Slovakia based on sports
So, according to the domestic legislation of the Republic of Slovakia, if a foreign citizen obtains membership in a Slovak sports club, he or she can obtain a “sports” residence permit in Slovakia.
It doesn’t have to be an Olympic sports club. To obtain a sports residence permit in Slovakia, it is enough to direct (in some cases – mediocre) the participation of a foreigner in the work of a sports club.
Membership in the club must be confirmed by an official document issued by the relevant Slovak club, proving that you are a professional member.
What documents are needed to obtain a residence permit in Slovakia based on sports
Document confirming membership in the Slovak club
- Statement;
- Application form;
- Certificate of good conduct;
- Document on your sporting qualifications (in some cases);
- Health insurance issued by a Slovak insurance;
- Extract from the medical examination – from a specialized Slovak polyclinic;
- The personal account statement, balance – at least 2600 €;
- Registration in Slovakia.
All documents must be prepared in Slovak or translated by a court translator. You can apply for a residence permit both at the Slovakian embassy – in the country of your citizenship, and on the territory of Slovakia – at the immigration police.
Period of validity of a residence permit in Slovakia based on a sports career
Initially, this type of residence permit is issued for 1 year. Further, it must be renewed annually, providing the police with the entire package of documents listed anew (except for the discharge of the medical board).
The good news is that the term of a residence permit based on sports is credited according to the 1 to 1 rule. Thus, after 5 years of residence in Slovakia for this type of residence permit, you will be entitled to permanent residence, which is no longer necessary to renew. Moreover, permanent residence in Slovakia gives you the right to receive a pension. To obtain citizenship in this country, you need to have lived in Slovakia for 10 years.
Sponsorship letter for a residence permit in Slovakia
Athletes under 14 years of age must provide a sponsorship letter from a parent, guardian, or adoptive parent. This document guarantees: sponsors take on responsibilities related to the material support of a minor athlete applying for a residence permit in Slovakia.
Individuals who are sponsors must prove their solvency by providing a certificate from the place of work and a certificate from a banking institution indicating the details of a personal account for a child with an amount of more than 1,300 euros. The sponsor must confirm the ability to provide the minor athlete with the financial resources necessary to pay for education, meals, participation in competitions, accommodation – in a hotel, or rented apartment. Immigration police officers may refuse to issue documents if the sponsor is not a close relative of a minor athlete.
The application to the police authorities in Slovakia is officially certified by a consul or a notary at the Slovak embassy or notary office.
Cost of paperwork
A person who applies for a residence permit in Slovakia based on sports must pay a state fee of 99.9 euros. It is necessary to issue an ID card worth approximately 5 euros
After obtaining a residence permit, the applicant is given three days to obtain medical insurance. Within a month after obtaining a residence permit, the applicant needs to go through a medical examination. Based on the results, the foreigner receives a certificate of absence of diseases, which is sent to the police.
Insurance must be issued no later than three days from the date of submission of documents to the police and presented within 30 days. Otherwise, a foreign citizen may receive an official refusal to obtain a residence permit based on sports.
Conclusion of an agreement with a sports club
For the representatives of the sports club to decide to agree with a foreign athlete, he or she needs to interest them. Before traveling to Slovakia, you need to carefully prepare for the preview. The preview is arranged upon arrival in Slovakia or online. Then the athlete needs to send a video demonstration of the sports talents to the club. If the video recordings interest the representatives of the sports club, an official invitation is sent to the foreign citizen.
It is worth remembering that the increased popularity is the reason for the limited number of places intended for foreign citizens in Slovak sports clubs. Timely submission of documents can guarantee the fact of admission to the club.
Limited places in clubs are the reason for the presentation of serious requirements for foreign athletes. Athletes with the prospect of high results can get into the club.
What are the opportunities for an athlete?
Slovakia is a fairly advanced state in terms of sports. Probably everyone has heard about the rather serious status of the Slovak hockey team, as well as about cyclists and skiers of the Republic of Slovakia, who periodically take prizes in international competitions.
Sport in this “Schengen” country is at a fairly serious level, actively funded by the state and targeted European funds.
Of course, the conditions for training Slovak athletes, professional fees, and social benefits are much better than other athletes from the third countries. This means that your sports career in Slovakia can become much faster and more profitable than at home-country.
