Work Permits for Sporting Purposes

Activities of international athletes, coaches and other sports officials in Turkey, Law No. 4817 on Work Permits for Foreigners and related regulations. Unlike other sectors, work permits for foreigners coming for sports purposes contain exceptional provisions and special exemptions.

For the general framework see: Foreign Work Permit Guidelines

1. Obligation of Work Permit in Sporting Activities

• Foreigners coming to Turkey for sporting activities for more than four months must obtain a work permit.
• For activities that do not exceed four months, work permit exemption provisions shall apply.

2. Work Permit Exemptions

Foreign athletes and coaches may operate without a work permit in the following cases

• Sports activities not exceeding 4 months (tournaments, camps, special events, etc.),
• Athletes and coaches approved by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) or the Ministry of Youth and Sports may work under exemption for the duration of the contract.

In this case, the foreigner may be issued a “Work Permit Exemption Confirmation Certificate”.

3. Situations where a work permit is required

A work permit application must be made in the following cases:

• Foreign athletes working under contract in professional sports clubs,
• Foreign coaches, conditioners, physiotherapists working in Turkey on a permanent basis,
• Foreigners teaching in sports academies,
• Foreigners who will take part in long-term league, tournament or camp organizations.

4. Application Process

The application for a work permit for sporting purposes is similar to the general application procedure:

1. The employer (club or federation ) makes the application through the e-permit system.
2. The athlete or coach’s contract, passport and biometric photo are uploaded to the system.
3. The approval of the relevant federation is required (e.g. TFF for football).
4. Once the work permit is approved, the SSI is notified and the foreigner starts working legally.

For details Work Permit Application Process

5. Duration and Renewal

• Sporting work permits are usually limited to the duration of the contract.
• Renewal must be applied for at least 60 days before the permit expires.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Do athlete transfers require a work permit?

Yes. Professional athletes cannot be licensed without a work permit.

Do foreign footballers coming for training camps need permission?

If the duration of the camp does not exceed 4 months, it can be considered within the scope of leave exemption.

Is a work permit required for amateur athletes?

Amateur activities do not require a permit, but professional contracting requires a permit.

Professional Support

Work permits for athletes and clubs are a specific process linked to contract and federation approvals. Incorrect or incomplete application may lead to the cancellation of the transfer or suspension of the sporting activity. MFY Legal | Law Firm we provide professional advice on work permits for foreign athletes and coaches.

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