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European Voluntary Service

GermanyCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

The qualifying activity is participation in a European Voluntary Service under Directive (EU) 2016/801.

See recorded sources

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

The volunteer needs a hosting organisation (aufnehmende Einrichtung) with which they have an agreement; in addition, the Federal Employment Agency must have approved, unless the Employment Ordinance or an intergovernmental agreement allows participation without its approval.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/BJNR195010004.html
    wenn die Bundesagentur für Arbeit nach § 39 zugestimmt hat oder durch die Beschäftigungsverordnung oder durch zwischenstaatliche Vereinbarung bestimmt ist, dass die Teilnahme an einem europäischen Freiwilligendienst ohne Zustimmung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit zulässig ist und der Ausländer eine Vereinbarung mit der aufnehmenden Einrichtung vorlegt,

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

Proof is the agreement with the hosting organisation, which must contain a description of the voluntary service, its duration and service hours, the conditions of the activity and supervision, and any training provided; volunteers under 18 also need parental consent.

See recorded sources

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

The agreement must state the means available for subsistence and accommodation and the minimum pocket money available for the duration of the stay. The official source does not state whether other work is permitted.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Sources do not say whether other work is permitted.

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

The residence permit is issued for the agreed duration of the European Voluntary Service, but for no longer than one year. The official source does not state whether the host can be changed, whether family can accompany or whether the permit can be extended.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Sources do not state change of host, family accompaniment or extension.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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