List of Kolpak cricketers

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The Kolpak ruling changed who can work in EU countries. On May 8, 2003, the European Court of Justice ruled in favor of Maroš Kolpak, a Slovak handball player living in Germany. He argued that his Slovak status and EU association agreements should let him work in the EU without being treated as a non-EU player. The court agreed, meaning people from countries with free-trade or EU association agreements can work in any EU country.

Cricket and Kolpak
- The first Kolpak cricket deal was signed in March 2004 by Claude Henderson, which ended his international career.
- After the ruling, players from about 100 nations could play cricket in EU countries without counting as overseas players.

Caribbean and African nations
- The Cotonou Agreement makes many Caribbean and African nations eligible to sign Kolpak deals.

UK requirements
- The British Home Office says a Kolpak signing must have a valid work permit for four years or meet a certain number of international appearances.

England path
- Kolpak players over 18 can qualify to represent England after seven years with a county and gaining citizenship.

Costs to counties
- The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) pays counties less when a Kolpak player replaces a domestic player: £1,100 less per County Championship game and £275 less per One Day match. This helps reduce large numbers of overseas players.

Local players from British overseas territories
- Players born in British overseas territories can play county cricket as locals and do not need a Kolpak deal. For example, Omari Banks from Anguilla played for Leicestershire and Somerset as a local.

Brexit
- Kolpak deals ended for the UK after Brexit.