FM SquadRules - Your Squad Registration Rules Companion
A fast, mobile-friendly way to check league rules in FM — foreign player limits, home-grown quotas, U21/U23 eligibility, substitutes, loan caps, work permits and transfer windows — all in one tidy view.
How it works
- Pick a region, then select a country and league (or search).
- Skim the panels for quotas, exemptions, loan caps and transfer windows.
- Check the in-game Rules screen before registration day.
What it covers
Foreign player limits
Clear labels for non-EU quotas, treated-as-EU nations and on-pitch vs registration caps.
Home-grown rules
Nation-trained and club-trained definitions, plus minimums for squads and matchdays.
U21s & substitutes
Know where U21s are exempt, youth restrictions, and how many subs you can name and use.
Loan rules
Domestic and foreign loan caps, same-division restrictions, and age limits — no more surprise blocks.
Transfer & registration windows
Summer, winter, restricted and free-agent windows plus registration deadlines so you can time signings perfectly.
Work permits
Salary thresholds, appearance requirements and appeal criteria for leagues that enforce work-permit rules.
Coverage
UK & Ireland
Premier League, EFL Championship, League One, League Two, Scottish Premiership, Cymru Premier, NIFL Premiership, Irish Premier Division.
Europe
LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Super Lig, Super League 1, Superliga, Allsvenskan, Eliteserien and 20+ more leagues.
Worldwide
MLS, Liga MX, Brasileiro, Argentina, J1 League, K League 1, A-League, Chinese Super League, plus key leagues across South America, Asia and Africa.
We expand coverage and refresh data periodically based on community feedback and FM database updates.
FAQ
Is this the same as FM's in-game rules?
It mirrors the concepts in a faster, searchable format. Use it to plan; confirm in-game before registration day.
Foreign vs non-EU vs home-grown — what's the difference?
They're separate ideas: "foreign" is a league definition, "non-EU" relates to EU/EEA status (incl. treated-as-EU nations), and "home-grown" is about training periods.
Why mention registered and on the pitch?
Some leagues cap registered squads, others cap the matchday squad or the starting XI. We show which applies so you can plan transfers and selection.
Are U21s exempt?
Often yes (auto-eligible or outside the main list), but not everywhere. Check the Youth & substitutes panel for the league you're playing.
What about loan rules?
Many leagues cap how many players you can loan from the same club or division, and some have age-based limits. When available, these are shown in the dedicated Loan rules panel.
Do trialists count?
Many competitions forbid trialists in competitive matches; some allow them only in friendlies. If allowed or banned, it's shown in the league facts.
What do the work-permit rules mean?
In leagues with work permits (e.g., UK post-Brexit, South Africa), you may need to meet appearance thresholds or salary levels. These are shown where applicable.
How current is the data?
We update periodically. If something's changed, tell us and we'll amend it promptly.
Ready to plan your next save?
Open the widget above and start building a compliant, title-winning squad.
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