If you are traveling primarily for sports purposes, i.e. to participate in athletic events, including as a member of a team, you should apply for a Schengen Sports Visa.

What is a Schengen Sports Visa?

  • A kind of short stay (Type C) visa allows you access to the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for sports purposes.

Required Documents for Sports Schengen Visa 

In addition to the Basic of Schengen Visa Application Requirements, applicants for Sports Schengen Visa should submit the following materials:

  • If you are an: athlete/member of a sports association in your resident country traveling to an athletic camp/event organized by your local athletic association, you will need to provide materials indicating the nature of your trip, including its primary purpose, as well as that of your stay in the destination Schengen country:
    • Letter from your resident country’s relevant local athletic association, including their name, complete address, and contact information, which also states your position within the organization (athlete, coach, trainer, etc.), the date you joined the association/team, the nature/terms of your compensation (if any), and a guarantee that you will not seek employment during your stay in your destination country.
    • Depending on whether you are travelling for participate in a sporting event organized by your resident country’s local sport’s organization in partnership with a sport’s organization in your destination country:
      • Letter from your resident country’s relevant local athletic association providing information on the athletic event you will be participating in your destination country, including detailed information regarding the host/event organizer, including their complete address, event length, and itinerary, stated purpose of the event, and description of how your expenses related to travel and accommodation will be paid (whether you will pay for your expenses out of pocket, or whether the event host/organization/camp/someone else will cover your attendance related costs.
      • Letter from relevant local sports associations in your destination country declaring that they are in partnership with your local sporting association, including their complete address, event length and itinerary.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply For Schengen Sports Visa

  • Nationals of a third country excluded from visa-free access or visas on arrival to the Schengen area that has a legitimate, valid, and documented sports purpose may apply for a Schengen Sports Visa.

How to Apply for a Sports Schengen Visa 

  1. Determine the Schengen country where you will be spending the most time on your trip. You will apply for the Sports Schengen Visa through that country’s consulate.
  2. Select “Sports” as a reason for traveling.
  3. Determine how many “Entries” to the Schengen area you need.
  4. Gather your Basic Required Documents, as well as the documents required for a Sports Visa.
  5. Fill out your application. Different Schengen countries provide different ways of accessing applications; you might have to use an online application portal or fill out a print-application by hand.
  6. Pay the application fee (the standard fee for adults is 80 Euros). You will likely have to submit a service payment with your visa application. This is a separate cost from the visa fee, which you will likely pay in person, at your subsequent interview appointment at a Visa Application Center. Please note that these fees are non-refundable.
  7. Submit your application.
  8. Schedule an interview appointment. Interviews are conducted in person either at the embassy or the consulate of the country you are applying to, or at a Visa Application Center associated with the consulate of the country you are applying to.

When to Apply

  • You should apply for a Sports Schengen Visa at least 15 days prior to the day you intend to travel, and no earlier than 6 months before you leave.

Where to Apply

  • You should apply for the  Schengen Visa through the embassy or the consulate of the country you are traveling to in the Schengen area, or through a Visa Application Center associated with the consulate of the country.
  • If you are traveling to multiple countries in the Schengen area, you should apply through the embassy, the consulate or the associated Visa Application Center for the country in which you will spend the most time. And in case you plan to spend an equal period of time in those multiple countries, then you need to apply at the embassy, the consulate or the associated Visa Application Center of the country where you will arrive first.

Processing Time for Schengen Sports Visa

  • The processing time for a Schengen Sports Visa is generally about two weeks (15 days). In rarer cases, consulates can take anywhere from 30-60 days to render a decision on an application.