Each country in Europe has it’s differences and nuances. Here we take a deeper look at Spain because it is the route we chose for our son. We have some familiarity with the system as well as the country, culture, residency requirements etc.
Soccer plays a significant role in Spanish society:
Youth soccer games, especially against top academies like FC Barcelona, are major events in local communities.
Scouts from professional clubs regularly attend youth games, creating opportunities for talented players.
Spain’s youth soccer system is designed to nurture talent from a very young age, focusing on technical skills, tactical understanding, and seamless progression through various levels of competition. This comprehensive approach has been key to Spain’s success in producing world-class players and achieving international football glory.
Learn more about the club system here Youth System.
Sending your athlete to Europe is an involved process. Here are some useful tips and resources you should be aware of. Note: these are about Spain, however, most European countries follow a similar protocol. You can check each country’s consulate website for requirements. If you go with an Academy, they will likely help with the process. These resources are for those doing it outside that process.
I learned a lot by way of many mistakes, research, calls, and asking questions. Not going to lie, it has been quite painful and frustrating at times. My biggest advice? Take nothing for granted!! If something doesn’t seem right, it likely isn’t! In our case, Michael (our son) did remote High School. This meant we pursued a Student Visa. Once graduated, he decided to take a gap year, but you need to still get a Visa. We went the route of getting his NIE (Foreigner Identity Number; it’s a unique number issued to non-Spanish citizens who live in Spain or are planning to live there for some time. We hired a lawyer to help with that process.
It felt like at every turn a new requirement popped up. For example: to get his NIE, (Número de Identidad de Extranjero), which is a unique tax identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain, having health insurance is a requirement. OK – no biggy, right? Well, you can only pay for insurance via a Spanish bank account. Can’t have an account without being a citizen or having a NIE/TIE or something to that effect. Enter WISE, a great way to manage money across borders. For insurance, we recommend Caser. Again, if coming with a student visa, the process is different.
If your athlete is not in High School, nor enrolled in a Spanish University, they will need to do some type of professional study. Our son pursued certification as a coach via CENAFE. Otherwise you will need a Student Visa and be enrolled in Spanish Language classes. Check the Spanish Consulate web page for requirements.
The process and requirements for a NIE or Student VISA are arduous. There is a lot of collecting of papers, certifications, apostille of documents, translated into Spanish. Remember, if you are going via an Academy, they will help with the VISA. If you are pursuing this on your own, consult the Spanish Consulate page and seek advice. Read the Consulate site carefully – we recommend you work through the club, academy or institution to help you. Or consult a lawyer to help.
