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VolunteeringOpen to Tunisian applicants

Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) and Voluntary Social/Ecological Year (FSJ/FÖJ) — volunteering in Germany for applicants from abroad

BAFzA (Bundesfreiwilligendienst) and the Federal Ministry BMBFSFJ (FSJ/FÖJ) · Germany

Germany's state-regulated volunteer services: 6 to 18 months (usually 12) in a social, ecological, cultural or sports organisation, with pocket money of up to 676 euros a month and full social insurance. Foreign nationals can take part on a volunteer visa applied for from home. FSJ/FÖJ are for under-27s; the BFD has no upper age limit.

At a glance
Where
Placements across Germany
Duration
6–18 months (usually 12)
Age
BFD: no limit; FSJ/FÖJ: under 27
Money
Pocket money up to 676 EUR/month
Deadline
Rolling
Apply
Directly with a placement or provider

Who can apply

Criteria stated by the funder on the official source.

Nationality
The BFD flyer says age, gender, nationality and school qualification do not matter. Foreign nationals need a residence title that allows work; third-country nationals apply for a volunteer visa from their home country. The German Embassy in Tunis publishes a BFD/FSJ/FÖJ volunteer visa checklist.
Stated
Age
BFD: open once compulsory full-time schooling is completed, with no upper age limit. FSJ/FÖJ: you must not have turned 27 before the service ends.
Stated
Placement agreement
You need a signed service agreement: for the BFD signed by you, BAFzA, the placement, its central office and any provider; for FSJ/FÖJ signed by you, the provider and, where relevant, the placement.
Stated
Language
No fixed level. Without basic German, the embassy asks for a placement statement that German is waived at first and will be learnt in courses after arrival; the FSJ page says good German is an advantage.
Stated
Living costs
A visa is usually granted only if living costs are covered without public funds; the embassy asks for extra proof if the agreement does not cover accommodation and meals.
Stated

Funding and what it does not cover

Pocket money is agreed with the placement, up to a legal cap of 676 euros a month (January 2026). The placement pays all social insurance contributions and may also provide accommodation, meals, work clothing and a mobility allowance, or cash instead.