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Completing the Federal Voluntary Service

How do I complete a Federal Voluntary Service?

Your responsible authority

Please enter a town (or postcode) where you are looking for the service search place
  • Forms

    Forms: Agreement on the performance of a Federal Voluntary Service
    Online procedure possible: no
    Written form required: yes
    Personal appearance necessary: yes


  • Detailed description

    If you want to engage for the common good outside of work and school, you can complete a federal voluntary service.

    You can do the Federal Voluntary Service in the social, ecological and cultural fields, in the field of sport, integration or in civil and civil protection. In which area, where you are involved and at which location, you can choose for yourself.

    The following key points apply to the Federal Voluntary Service:

    • The standard duration is 12 months, at least 6 months, a maximum of 18 months. In exceptional cases, deployments of up to 24 months are also possible (e.g. if there is a special pedagogical concept).
    • If you are over 27 years of age, you can also complete the Federal Voluntary Service on a part-time basis (at least 20 hours per week).
    • You will receive pocket money: the maximum amount is currently EUR 390.00 per month.
    • Your social security contributions and statutory accident insurance are paid by the agency.
    • If you complete the 12-month Federal Voluntary Service, you are generally entitled to unemployment benefit.
    • If you are younger than 25 years of age and are doing a federal voluntary service, your parents can receive child benefit or tax allowances for you.
    • The basis of the assignment is the conclusion of an individual agreement between you and the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks (BAFzA).

    The first six weeks of service are considered to be probationary periods. The service can be terminated with a period of two weeks during this period. After the probationary period, the notice period is four weeks, at the end of the 15th or the end of the month. In addition, for important reasons, the employment relationship can also be terminated prematurely, for example because of the start of vocational training or studies.

    During the service, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Youth Employment Protection Act as well as the provisions of the Bun-desferiengesetz apply. For example, if you have a service period of 12 months, you are entitled to 24 days of leave.

    Work clothes, accommodation and meals can be provided or the costs can be reimbursed.
    In the case of social insurance, the Federal Voluntary Service is equivalent to a training relationship. Contributions for pension, accident, health, care and unemployment insurance are paid by the employment agency.

    As part of the special programme "Federal Voluntary Service with Refugee Reference", up to 10,000 new BFD places are made available each year. The occupancy of these places must be related to refugee aid. In other words, the operation must be in refugee aid or the service must be provided by refugees.

  • Requirements
    • You must have completed full-time compulsory education.
    • If you do not have German citizenship, you will need a residence permit that allows you to work in Germany.
    • Some services require an occupational health examination. Please ask your office for this
  • Documents
    • Identity card or residence permit
    • Where appropriate, proof of occupational health examination
  • Fees

    No

  • Process

    If you want to start a Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), you must first find a job:

    • You can find assignments via the Federal Voluntary Service's Emergency Services Exchange. You can also ask directly in facilities and projects. The only important thing is that the federal voluntary service is recognised. If this institution is not yet recognised as an operational site in the BFD, it can be recognised for it.
    • You agree with the deployment site on the specific contract content of your BFD and complete the agreement for the performance of the Federal Voluntary Service. The agreement shall be forwarded by the service, with the signatures of the parties involved.
    • You will then receive a letter of confirmation with the agreement from the Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks
  • Duration

    Average 6 weeks, maximum 3 months

  • Deadline

    No

    Note: Deployment agencies and institutions may have set fixed deadlines for competitions and entry into service.

  • Responsible authority

    Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks
    Von-Gablenz-Straße 2-6
    50679 Cologne

    Phone: 0221 3673-0
    Fax: 0221 3673-4661
    Email: info@bundesfreiwilligendienst.de

  • Point of contact

    Federal Office for Family and Civil Society Tasks
    Von-Gablenz-Straße 2-6
    50679 Cologne

    Phone: 0221 3673-0
    Fax: 0221 3673-4661
    Email: info@bundesfreiwilligendienst.de

    Service hours:
    Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 16:00

  • Legal basis
  • More information
  • Approved

    Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

  • Approved date
    11.10.2018