01/11/2026
🇩🇪 WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEND ONE YEAR IN GERMANY AS A VOLUNTEER?
This is For those who would love to experience life in Germany, learn new things and make a difference in other people’s lives.
VIA e.V. offers an Incoming Voluntary Service Programme for international applicants who would like to spend a year volunteering in Germany.
And the interesting part is that you don’t necessarily need previous work experience. There are also some placements for people who don’t speak German.
DURATION
✔️ 12 consecutive months (one year).
WHAT ABOUT THE GERMAN LANGUAGE?
Basic German is recommended, but VIA also has some placements where German is not a requirement.
These places are limited, though. So, if you speak English but have no German knowledge, please contact VIA directly to ask whether an English-speaking placement is available using this email Address 👉🏽 [email protected]
Please remember that the language requirements for a placement and those for your visa may be different.
WHAT KIND OF WORK WILL YOU DO?
The programme mainly offers opportunities in the social sector. Depending on your placement, you could work in:
👉🏽Clinics and hospitals: You may accompany patients, help distribute meals and support professional healthcare staff. It’s a chance to gain practical experience in the healthcare environment.
👉🏽Elderly care: Support older people with everyday activities, personal assistance, household tasks and leisure activities.
👉🏽Children and young people: Assist in kindergartens, schools, residential homes or boarding schools. Activities may include playing with children, cooking, music, sports and helping with homework.
👉🏽People with disabilities: Help people with disabilities in their daily lives, support their activities and encourage greater independence.
✔️ You generally don’t need previous professional experience. You can indicate which area interests you, although your preferred placement cannot be guaranteed.
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAMME OFFER?
✔️ Accommodation.
✔️ Meals or a food allowance.
✔️ Monthly pocket money.
✔️ Health and liability insurance.
✔️ Educational seminars and guidance.
✔️ German-language learning support in some programmes.
WHO CAN APPLY?
✔️ You must be at least 18 years old when travelling to Germany.
✔️ International applicants living outside Germany can apply.
✔️ You should be interested in supporting other people and willing to engage in social activities.
✔️ Previous professional experience is generally not required.
✔️ VIA does not state an upper age limit in its general requirements.
WHAT ABOUT TRAVEL AND VISA COSTS?
This is something you should consider before applying.
✔️ You need a valid passport that meets the relevant visa and travel validity requirements.
✔️ In some programmes, you are responsible for paying for your flight to Germany and your return journey.
✔️ Visa application fees may also be your responsibility. The standard German visa fee is €75.
✔️ Some placements require a driving licence. However, VIA can look for a placement where one isn’t necessary.
VIA provides guidance during the application and visa preparation process, but visa approval is not guaranteed.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY?
👉🏽 My advice is not to wait until the last minute. Finding a suitable placement and processing a visa can take time, so it is better to apply early, well ahead of your intended starting date.
HOW DO YOU APPLY?
👉🏽 Visit VIA’s official website.
👉🏽 Complete the online registration form.
👉🏽 Participate in a telephone or Skype interview.
👉🏽 VIA will look for a suitable placement for you.
👉🏽 If a suitable placement is found, you will receive a proposal and information about the next steps.
OFFICIAL LINKS
👉🏽 Application:
https://www.via-ev.org/incoming/incoming-anmelden
👉🏽 Programme information:
https://www.via-ev.org/incoming/incoming-infos-fuer-freiwillige
👉🏽 Email: [email protected]
✔️ VIA does not charge a placement fee.
Please read the information on the official website carefully before applying. If you don’t speak German, contact VIA first to find out whether an English-speaking placement is available.
And just to be clear, this is a voluntary service programme, not a regular paid job or a nursing Ausbildung.
If you have been looking for a chance to experience Germany, meet people from different backgrounds, learn new things and spend a year doing something meaningful, you might want to explore this opportunity.
Feel free to share it with someone who may be interested.
♥️Kweenswelt – Sharing opportunities, opening doors.
Voluntary service in Germany! VIA e.V. fördert mit dem Programm Incoming Freiwilligendienste in Deutschland für junge Menschen aus aller Welt! Bei der Arbeit in sozialen Einrichtungen eine neue Perspektive auf das Leben bekommen, eine andere Kultur kennenlernen und dabei die Deutsche Sprache lerne...