Getting a Volunteer Visa in Germany: Your Step-by-step Guide

Germany has been called the Land of Poets and Thinkers for its history of philosophy, scientific discovery, and classical music.

Today, Germany is an economic powerhouse—and a great place to do volunteer work. It has a comprehensive system of volunteering programs and currently, over 35,000 volunteers country-wide.

Remitly has prepared this step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Why should I volunteer in Germany?

Volunteering lets you experience new cultures, places, and people. It’s a chance to add new skills to your resume while doing some good.

What makes Germany so unique is the variety of volunteering experiences available. These include:

What is the difference between the FSJ, FÖJ, and BFD?

The type of volunteering work you might do in Germany depends partly on age. People between 17 and 27 years old can choose the Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ).

Alternatively, you could opt for the Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr (FÖJ), which specifically focuses on ecological volunteering. 

If you’re over 27, the more general Bundesfreiwilligesdienst (BFD) may be the best alternative for your needs.

How long can I stay in Germany as a volunteer?

These volunteer programs generally last for a maximum of a year. However, you can extend your stay to 18 months in certain circumstances.

If you’re an EU citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter Germany at all; your right to live, work, and volunteer in the country is automatic.

Several countries are also exempt from Germany’s visa requirements, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, Switzerland, and other EEA/EFTA states.

What if you’re from a non-EU country? Just like with Germany’s Digital Nomad Visa, the type of visa required depends on where you’re from and how long you want to stay.

You could pursue a Type D visa, Schengen visa, EU Blue Card, residence permit for skilled workers, or a student visa, among others. Each has its own visa requirements and application process.

But wherever you’re from, you can’t use an au pair visa or a student visa for a long-term stay while volunteering. If you’re joining a volunteer program for less than 90 days, you may not even need one. Germany has a handy visa calculator for short-term stays here.

Required documents for the German visa application process

Germany doesn’t offer a specific volunteer visa, and the application process for comparable visas is fairly complicated. But generally, these are the required documents to complete German visa applications:

• A completed visa application form that corresponds to the purpose of your stay.
• A valid passport.
• Your resume.
• A signed declaration to confirm that you’re presenting truthful information.
• A letter of motivation explaining why you want to do voluntary service.
• A signed contract from the organization you will be volunteering to.
• Proof of adequate income throughout your stay, though you may receive some living stipend in a few volunteer programs.
• Proof of health insurance.
• Proof of the visa fee payment. It’s usually 75 EUR, but may differ based on your home country.

Learn more: Getting a Volunteer Visa in Spain: Your Step-by-step Guide

What’s the German visa application process?

Applying for a German visa is a step-by-step process involving these six stages:

• Step 1: Prepare all your documents ahead of time.
• Step 2: Make an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You can’t apply for a visa without this appointment.
• Step 3: Go to the Application Center, where your appointment will be verified. Ensure you’re punctual; if you’re more than 10 minutes late, you may have to make another appointment.
• Step 4: Officials will check your documentation. If it’s not in order, or you don’t have enough copies of certain documents, or you’ve forgotten to sign something, you may have to rejoin the queue.
• Step 5: However, if everything’s in order, officials will enter your details into the German consulate’s online system. It should take around 15 minutes, and then you’ll sign a form. You’ll also get a receipt once you’ve paid the required visa fee. Keep this safe as you’ll need it later to collect your visa.
• Step 6: The final stage is biometric data collection. Your fingerprints are taken digitally, and your application is sent to the consulate for processing the next day.

Can I apply myself to a volunteer visa?

The easiest way to get volunteering work in Germany is by going through one of the many voluntary social service organizations. Before approaching them, decide where you’d like to go—Berlin and Munich are particularly popular—and search for FSJ programs in those areas.

Should you opt to do it yourself, you must submit several required documents to the German Embassy (Ausländerbehörde), which oversees residence permits. These visa requirements may vary depending on your home country. 

What type of volunteering work is available in Germany?

You can find voluntary work in diverse fields. Whether you want to help out in kindergartens or nursing homes, work with sporting institutions, or promote peace and human rights, there are plenty of options to choose from. But if you plan to earn a living here, you’ll need an appropriate work visa specifically for job seekers.

Volunteers from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe can engage with various economic development programs geared toward young people. Take a look at the opportunities available.

Pros and cons of volunteering in Germany

Germany is a very safe country where English is widely spoken. It provides a high standard of living and a cosmopolitan society, particularly in the bigger cities. Needless to say, it’s a popular destination among volunteers; in fact, Germany is the number one country European people say they’d move to. It also has an outstanding public transport network and a strong food tradition.

The German language can be difficult for some people to learn. However, basic language skills—level A1 or A2—are good enough to join a volunteering program in most regions. Housing is also expensive, and most programs don’t provide accommodation. Keep this, and the country’s high cost of living, in mind for your expense calculations.

But for an experience that will broaden your horizons and help you make a difference, you can’t go wrong with volunteering in Germany!

FAQs

Is it easy to volunteer in Germany?

Germany offers comprehensive volunteering programs catering to every industry and age group. Once you get a visa, you will easily find something you’re interested in.

Do I need a visa to volunteer in Germany?

You’ll need a visa to enter Germany and access any opportunities there if you’re from a non-EU country.

How do I apply for a German visa?

Gather all the required documents and request an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in your home country.

What work could I do as a volunteer in Germany?

As long as you want to make a difference, you’ll find a German volunteering program that fits your skills and interests.

Is Germany a safe country?

Germany is extremely safe for residents and volunteers alike. While you should take the same precautions you would anywhere else, it’s one of the safest countries in the world.