Parent Role

Changing swimming clubs in Portugal: how transfers work

Changing swimming clubs in Portugal requires a request from the new club, consent, and FPN approval. After representing the club that season, the move is usually for the next season. An FPN table sets the sum when clubs cannot agree.

September 21, 2026 · 4 min read

Idea in Brief

  • The licence sets the clock. It covers one season and links a swimmer to one club.
  • Racing fixes the timing. Once your swimmer has represented a club, the move is usually for next season.
  • A federation table settles disputes. It sets the sum when the clubs cannot agree.

Your phone lights up beside the breakfast bowls. Another club has offered your swimmer a place, and you wonder what happens next. Check the calendar first. Under the FPN’s Regulamento de Transferências, a transfer moves a swimmer who is tied to one club into another. The new club files the request. The swimmer must clearly consent. For a minor, the encarregado de educação gives that consent. The FPN approves the move. It delegates this to the territorial association when both clubs are in its area.

A federado licence lasts one sporting season (época desportiva). It binds a swimmer to one club. Registration (filiação) starts on the date in an FPN comunicado, or on 1 October. It closes on 31 May. Cadetes and Minis may register at any point. For 2026/27, Circular n.º 05/26 of 21 August 2026 opened FPNSystem for natação pura on 15 September 2026. Transfers are allowed during that period only if the swimmer has not represented a club that season. The 1 to 31 January window is for absoluto water polo only. If your swimmer has raced, the move is for next season.

Narrow exceptions exist. A merger frees swimmers, even after they have competed. A swimmer may leave if the club drops the discipline. If it has no competition for their age group (escalão) or gender, they may leave before racing. The old club must certify this. No release letter is needed if the swimmer is 13 or younger at registration. Forced moves for work, study, or a parent’s change of address can also waive it. The FPN must approve this first. The new club must be where the family now lives. It is also waived if the old club refuses to validate the licence.

The usual paper is a release letter (carta de desvinculação). It comes from the old club. It must be on headed paper, with the club stamp and issue date. The club president and swimmer sign it. For a minor, the legal representative signs. If both clubs agree, a written transfer sets the terms. The new club cannot revalidate the licence before approval. If the old club won’t sign the transfer form, the territorial association mediates. It works out the sum and completes registration. If the swimmer is free to move, it may register them at once. A letter waiver does not remove any sum due.

When clubs cannot agree, the swimmer can still move once the old club is paid the table sum. The table counts consecutive licensed seasons there. It gives age group points: Infantil 1, Juvenil B 2, Juvenil A 3, Júnior 5, and Absoluto 6. It also counts the old team’s division, selection appearances, and how many aquatic disciplines it runs. The certification factor is 1 without certification, 2 for a certified swim school, and 3 for a certified club. The FPN’s direção sets the unit at 10% of the national minimum wage. That wage has been €920 a month since 1 January 2026.

The sum is split 10% to the FPN, 10% to the origin association, and 80% to the old club. It doubles if the old club holds official development-club status (Estatuto de Clube Formador). A club may accept less or seek no payment for itself. The FPN and association shares still use the table value. These are the FPN’s Regulamento de Transferências rules as they have stood since 2016. For a live case, the club secretary (secretaria) confirms the current rule. The territorial association is next if needed. Whether to move is a family decision. This article does not compare clubs or assess a coach.

Share it with your swimmer

Keep the offer clear without making the paperwork their burden:

  • Under 12 (you’re driving). “Another club has asked about you. We’re checking what that means.” This keeps the forms with the adults.
  • 12–15 (sharing the wheel). “There is an offer. No move is agreed, and we want your view.” This gives them a clear voice.
  • 16+ (they’re driving). “Your consent is required. We’ll check the rules before any decision.” This respects their role in the move.

Stay aligned with your coach

The club office handles dates, forms, and filing. You bring your swimmer’s view and consent, while the coach handles training and race choices. Ask the office: “Which transfer window and papers apply to our case?”

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