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Reference

European hockey leagues: levels and imports

The divisions of 18 countries in one table: level, how open each league is to imports, and when clubs sign players.

Looking for the most accessible entry routes? Start with the focused shortlist of leagues open to import players, then verify the current rules on each league page. Looking for junior hockey instead? Open the junior league reference → · Wondering what these leagues actually pay? See hockey player salaries in Europe →

CountryLeagueLevelAgeProfileFor imports
🇫🇮 FinlandLiiga1SeniorTop division, elite levelHard Few spots; only clear upgrades are signed
🇫🇮 FinlandMestis2SeniorSecond division, professionalLimited A lower bar than Liiga
🇫🇮 FinlandSuomi-sarja3SeniorThird level, semi-proLimited Good for entry and adapting
🇸🇪 SwedenSHL1SeniorOne of the strongest leagues in the worldHard Only a handful of imports make it
🇸🇪 SwedenHockeyAllsvenskan2SeniorSecond division, strong and fully professionalHard Competition is high
🇸🇪 SwedenHockeyEttan3SeniorThird level, regional groupsLimited A realistic entry point; an EU passport matters a lot
🇨🇿 CzechiaTipsport Extraliga1SeniorTop division, one of Europe's strongestLimited Import spots are limited
🇨🇿 CzechiaMaxa liga2SeniorSecond division, professionalLimited A common entry point for imports
🇨🇿 Czechia2. liga3SeniorThird level, regional groupsLimited Entry and adapting to the market
🇸🇰 SlovakiaTipos extraliga1SeniorTop divisionLimited Imports allowed, with a seasonal limit
🇸🇰 Slovakia1. liga2SeniorSecond divisionOpen Fairly open to imports
🇩🇪 GermanyDEL1SeniorTop division, strong budgetsLimited A notable number of foreigners; high competition
🇩🇪 GermanyDEL22SeniorSecond division, professionalLimited A realistic entry point
🇩🇪 GermanyOberliga3SeniorThird level, North and South groupsOpen Many teams — openings appear most often here
🇦🇹 AustriaICE Hockey League1SeniorInternational top divisionLimited Many imports, but the level is high
🇦🇹 AustriaAlps Hockey League2SeniorInternational league (Austria, Italy, Slovenia)Open Open to foreigners
🇸🇮 SloveniaAlps Hockey League1SeniorTop clubs play not at home but in Austria's ICE Hockey League and Alps Hockey LeagueOpen Up to 4 imports on the game sheet; an import goalie takes up 2 of those spots
🇵🇱 PolandPHL1SeniorTop division, a growing marketOpen Clubs traditionally sign imports actively
🇵🇱 Poland1 liga2SeniorSecond divisionOpen Entry and adapting
🇳🇴 NorwayEliteserien1SeniorTop divisionLimited An import limit applies
🇳🇴 Norway1. divisjon2SeniorSecond divisionOpen A more accessible entry
🇩🇰 DenmarkMetal Ligaen1SeniorTop divisionLimited Imports allowed, spots limited
🇩🇰 Denmark1. division2SeniorSecond divisionOpen Easier to enter
🇨🇭 SwitzerlandNational League1SeniorOne of the strongest and richest leaguesHard An extremely high bar
🇨🇭 SwitzerlandSwiss League2SeniorSecond division, strong levelHard Tough selection
🇨🇭 SwitzerlandMyHockey League3SeniorThird level, semi-proLimited Entry is possible
🇫🇷 FranceLigue Magnus1SeniorTop divisionLimited An import limit applies
🇫🇷 FranceDivision 12SeniorSecond divisionOpen An accessible entry
🇫🇷 FranceDivision 23SeniorThird levelOpen Open, lower level
🇭🇺 HungaryErste Liga1SeniorInternational league (Hungary, Romania)Open Open to imports
🇬🇧 United KingdomEIHL1SeniorTop division, many foreignersLimited Work visas required
🇬🇧 United KingdomNIHL National2SeniorSecond levelOpen More accessible, but lower level
🇮🇹 ItalyIHL Serie A1SeniorTop divisionOpen Open to imports
🇱🇻 LatviaOptibet hokeja līga1SeniorTop divisionOpen Fairly open, a familiar style of hockey
🇱🇹 LithuaniaOptibet hokeja līga1SeniorNo strong domestic league — Lithuanian clubs play in Latvia's Optibet hokeja līgaOpen Same market as Latvia; an EU passport removes the visa question
🇪🇪 EstoniaUnibet Hokiliiga1SeniorTop division, 5–6 clubsOpen No import limit; an IIHF transfer card is required
🇳🇱 NetherlandsBeNe League1SeniorJoint league of the Netherlands and BelgiumOpen Open, mid-level
🇪🇸 SpainLiga Nacional1SeniorTop division, 9 clubs, semi-professionalLimited Max 4 non-Spain-eligible players per game; an import goalie takes up 2 of those spots
🇷🇴 RomaniaLiga Naţională1SeniorTop divisionOpen Open to imports
🇷🇸 SerbiaInternational Hockey League (IHL)1SeniorRegional league with Slovenia and Croatia; a separate domestic championship also existsLimited Import limit not confirmed — verify with the league
🇭🇷 CroatiaIHL / Alps Hockey League1SeniorClubs play across two regional leagues and a domestic championshipLimited Import limit not confirmed — verify with the league
🇧🇪 BelgiumCEHL (бывшая BeNe League)1SeniorJoint league with the Netherlands and Germany, being restructured as of 2026Limited Import limit is being reduced — verify with the league before acting
🇰🇿 KazakhstanPro Hokei Ligasy1SeniorTop division, 10 clubs (Barys plays separately in the KHL)Limited Since 2025 clubs cannot fund imports from state/quasi-state budgets — openness now depends on each club's private backing
🇯🇵 JapanAsia League Ice Hockey1SeniorOnly 6 clubs in the whole league (5 Japanese + 1 South Korean)Hard 2–3 imports per club — roughly 10–15 spots in the entire country
🇺🇸 USANCAA Division I1SeniorCollege hockey, no formal cap on international playersLimited A paid pro contract before enrolling can jeopardise amateur eligibility — confirm with the NCAA Eligibility Center
🇺🇸 USAECHL2SeniorAA-level pro league, 30 clubs (including one in Canada)Hard No formal import quota, but competition is high and a P-1 visa is required

How to read the table

Level matters more
than the country name

The second division of a strong hockey country is often higher in level than the top division of a small one. So the choice isn't a "dream country" but the level your profile matches. Not sure where to aim — try the level calculator: it suggests a realistic band of divisions in a minute.

First assessment — free

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