Germany will offer special visa for esports athletes

The German government has published draft legislation that would allow professional non-European esports athletes to live and compete in the country. Similar to sports visa, these regulations would include a resolution to permanent accommodation and more comfortable entry into Germany.

To apply for new visa esports athletes must be:

• 16 years old;
• Employed at esports team organization registered in Germany;
• Compete in a national or international league.

"Visa regulations are currently blocking the development of professional esports all over Europe. Teams and tournament organizers often have difficulties bringing non-EU-citizens into their respective countries," shared Hans Jagnow, president of the German Esports Federation.

Jagnow noticed that this legislation would help prepare Germany's esports industry and solve a lot of problems with accommodation for players: "The plans of the German government are sending a strong signal to other countries and would be providing a best-case-study for other nations to follow up on."

These measures may already take action next year.