Voluntary social year

Table of contents:

1. Purpose of the stay
2. Requirements
3. Specifics
4. Legal background

1.Purpose of stay

The FSJ is a voluntary service in social areas, whereby there are different areas of application (e.g. social institutions, care, children & young people, politics and school & education). This service is offered in Germany for adolescents and young adults who have already completed compulsory full-time schooling and have not yet reached the age of 27. Every federal state in Germany has set up a website with all the information about the FSJ. On these websites you can find out about the current offers.

2. Requirements:

• Residence in Germany
• Valid passport
• the national passport can also be extended in an embassy or consulate in Germany
• Agreement to carry out the voluntary service
• Securing of livelihood
• such as pocket money, benefits in kind and cost subsidies
• Adequate health insurance protection
• Compliance with the age limit
• at least 16 and at most 26 years old

3. Features:

The FÖJ is a voluntary service in suitable places and institutions that are active in the field of nature and environmental protection, including education for sustainability. The FÖJ is organized at the state level by around 50 organizations, each of which operates a website with all the relevant information.

The BFD is an offer to people of all ages to get involved outside of work and school for the common good - in the social, ecological and cultural areas or in the area of sports, integration as well as civil and disaster protection. As a rule, the BFD lasts twelve months, but at least six and a maximum of 18 months. In principle, this is a full-time service, but part-time service is also available for volunteers over the age of 27. Full-time compulsory school attendance is required for full-time service. The placements are offered by institutions that are oriented towards the common good, such as, for example, by member institutions of welfare organizations, but also by hospitals, care facilities, children's homes, day-care centers or schools. Information about the active places of assignment can be found on the website of the Federal Volunteer Service.

Up to a maximum of 18 months in total, an FSJ and an FÖJ can be performed consecutively with a minimum service period of six months. The BFD cannot be combined with FSJ or FÖJ. Several different BFDs of at least six months can be combined for a maximum of 18 months.