Malta New 100-Day National Sports Visa for Foreign Athletes

The Maltese government has taken a big step to make the country more competitive in sports by giving foreign athletes who are trying out for Maltese-registered sports clubs a new National Long-Stay Visa (D-Visa). This tailored visa program gives talented athletes from outside the EU a chance to show off their skills in Malta, but only for a short time.

Byron Camilleri, the Minister for Home Affairs, Security, and Employment, said on July 7, 2025, that this new D-Visa would be available. Only third-country national (TCN) athletes who have been formally invited by Maltese sports clubs to take part in performance-based trials can get this visa.

What Does this New Maltese Visa Offer?

So, what does this new sports visa for Malta really do? First and foremost, it lets foreign athletes stay for 100 days without being able to renew their stay. This gives them a short but exciting chance to show off their skills. The visa is solely for participating in trials; thus, the athlete can only do sports-related things that the Maltese club that invited them says they can. You can’t do any side jobs or extra work while you’re in Malta on this visa. You also can’t apply for other residence permits while you’re there.

But if the athlete impresses the coaches and gets a full-time offer, there is hope. The club can ask for a Single Permit to keep the athlete, but the application must be sent in at least 20 days before the 100-day visa runs out. Also, Sports Malta or any recognized sports authority must approve it. This visa doesn’t let you stay in the country for a long time on its own, but it does provide you a little chance to stay if you really impress on the field.

Read Also: Malta Seasonal Worker Permit 2025 – A Guide

Eligibility Criteria

For an athlete to be able to get Malta’s new 100-day sports visa, both the club that invites them and the player must meet certain requirements. Here’s a list:

Who Can Apply?

You are eligible if:

• You are a citizen of a country that is not in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland.
• A Maltese-registered sports club has sent you an official invitation to a sports trial.

Requirements from the Club:

The inviting Maltese sports club must provide:

1. Proof that you are a real organization in Malta.
2. An official letter inviting you to the trial.
3. A specific timetable and goal for the trial, such as training sessions, games, and tests.
4. A written statement that confirms that.
   • If the player does well, they can be given a full-time sports deal.

Requirements from the Athlete:

You, as the athlete, must:

1. Have health insurance that covers the whole 100-day stay.
2. Show proof that you have enough money to live in Malta (for example, bank statements or a letter from a sponsor).
3. Sign a promise to depart the Schengen Area when your visa runs out, unless you get permission to stay longer.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

There are severe requirements that come with the Maltese sports visa, and breaking them might have serious implications. Here’s everything you need to know:

You May Face Penalties If You:

1. Overstay Beyond 100 Days
   • If you stay in Malta for even one day longer than you are allowed, you could face fines or legal action.
2. Engage in Unauthorized Work
   • You can only do sports with the invited club if they are relevant to the trial.
   • It is against the law to have any side jobs or jobs that aren’t related to your main work.
3. Fail to Exit Malta or the Schengen Area on Time
   • You have to depart when your visa runs out, unless your club has sent in a legitimate Single Permit application for you.

Consequences Include:

• Legal Sanctions in Malta
• Entry bans into Malta and the entire Schengen Zone (up to several years)
• Rejection of future visa applications
• Possible detention or deportation

Exit Requirement

If the athlete doesn’t get a Single Permit and move to a legal residence before the 100-day visa runs out, they have to leave Malta and the whole Schengen Area right away.

No Exceptions:

• No visa extensions allowed.
• No switching to other visa types from within Malta.
• No overstaying, not even by a single day.

What You Must Do:

• You have to leave Malta as soon as your 100-day stay is over if the team that invited you doesn’t provide you a full-time deal.
• If you don’t do this, you may not be able to enter any Schengen nations.

Want to Apply?

Visit the official application page:
Apply Here

This is a trial-based visa that has a set time limit and rigorous rules. Enjoy it, but make sure you follow the instructions to the letter.

Conclusion:

Malta’s new 100-day Sports Trial Visa is a brave move to bring in talented athletes from other countries. It gives non-EU athletes a chance of a lifetime to impress Maltese clubs and maybe start a professional career in Europe.

But the visa has tight rules: you can’t change jobs, stay longer than you should, or get a second chance. If your club gives you a contract, they need to act promptly to turn your stay into a legitimate work visa. You must leave Malta and the Schengen Area on time if not.

Frequently Asked Questions