Volunteering or working in the charity sector is a wonderful way of engaging with the community – so why not combine it with a stay in Germany to learn the language and experience daily life there at the same time?
Volunteering & Charity Work
Giving your time to volunteering schemes or charitable organisations in Germany
Volunteering
There are three German government volunteering schemes, which are open to UK citizens:
- The Voluntary Social Service Year (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr, FSJ) is for people aged 16–26 who have completed their school education and want to volunteer in the areas of social welfare; child and youth welfare; health and social care; culture and heritage; or sports.
- The Voluntary Ecological Service Year (Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr, FÖJ) is for people aged 16–26 who have completed their school education and want to volunteer in the area of environmental protection and education, including sustainability.
- The Federal Volunteers Service (Bundesfreiwilligendienst, BFD) is for people of any age who have completed their school education and want to volunteer in any of the areas listed above, or in civil protection.
Participants in these schemes usually volunteer for a period of 6–18 months (or up to two years for the Federal Volunteers Service) and receive some spending money, while food and accommodation are typically provided or paid for by the hosting organisation. An educational programme forms part of each scheme. The hosting organisation decides which level of German language skills it expects participants to have, but there’s often a degree of flexibility.
If you’re a British citizen taking part in one of the three German government schemes, you don’t need a visa or residence permit to volunteer in Germany for a period of up to 90 days in any calendar year. For longer volunteering stays, you’ll need a visa or residence permit authorising voluntary service.
You can apply for a visa before you leave – from the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or from the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK). Alternatively, you can travel to Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit from the local immigration office within 90 days, but you may only start volunteering once your permit has been granted.
Requirements for a visa or residence permit authorising voluntary service include:
- For the Federal Voluntary Service: a contract signed by you, the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (Bundesamt für Familie und zivilgesellschaftliche Aufgaben, BAFzA), and the hosting institution;
- For a Voluntary Social or Ecological Service Year: a contract signed by you and the hosting institution;
- Evidence of sufficient funds if the hosting institution doesn’t provide accommodation, food or spending money;
- Evidence of health insurance cover in Germany (travel insurance is not generally sufficient); and
- A personal motivation letter.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Full details on visas authorising voluntary service are available on the website of the German Missions in the UK. Details on applying for a residence permit after your arrival are available from the relevant local immigration office in Germany. The fee for a visa is €75. A residence permit obtained in Germany after arrival will usually cost you €100.
Like everyone living in Germany, you must register as a resident with the local authority within 14 days of moving into your accommodation. You’ll need confirmation of your registration to apply for your residence permit, or to have your visa converted into a residence permit.
Charity Work
British citizens don’t need a visa or residence permit to work for a charitable or religious organisation in Germany for a period of up to 90 days in any calendar year. However, please contact the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK) to confirm that your hosting organisation qualifies for visa-free entry.
For longer stays working for a charitable or religious organisation in Germany, you’ll need a visa or residence permit authorising charity work. You can apply for a visa before you leave – from the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or from the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK). Alternatively, you can travel to Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit from the local immigration office within 90 days, but you may only start your charity work once your permit has been granted.
Requirements for a visa or residence permit authorising charity work are similar to those for voluntary service (see above), but please contact the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or from the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK) to discuss your specific case.
Further details on charity work visas are available on the website of the German Missions in the UK. Details on applying for a residence permit after your arrival are available from the relevant local immigration office in Germany. The fee for a visa is €75. A residence permit obtained in Germany after arrival will usually cost you €100.
Like everyone living in Germany, you must register as a resident with the local authority within 14 days of moving into your accommodation. You’ll need confirmation of your registration to apply for your residence permit, or to have your visa converted into a residence permit.
Disclaimer: the information in this guide has been collated from government, academic, professional and public institution sources available at the time of publication. However, it is subject to change, and errors and omissions are excepted. Please always check directly with the relevant decision-making bodies and/or take professional advice for specific cases.
