Visa-free travel

British citizens do not require a visa or residence permit for short-term charity work in Germany. Any visa-free stay in Germany may not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period and, in addition, the number of days of charity work may not exceed 90 days within one year. This privilege also applies to all other nationals who do not require visas for visits not exceeding 90 days.

In all other cases, a visa or residence permit authorising voluntary service/ charity work is required.

British citizens may apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for their residence permits after arrival in Germany and without having obtained a visa prior to travelling to Germany. Please note that you need to register your new residence (Anmeldung) with the authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your residence permit within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany. This privilege is also extended to citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea (Republic) and the United States of America. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

Please note that you may only take up employment once you have been issued a residence permit explicitly authorising such employment. You may also choose to apply for a visa prior to travel, effectively permitting employment from the first day of visa validity.

All other nationalities require a visa prior to travel to Germany.

General information

Visas may be issued for participants in the official voluntary service schemes such as the Federal Volunteer Service (Bundesfreiwilligendienst, BFD), the Voluntary Social Year (Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr, FSJ) or the Voluntary Ecological Year (Freiwilliges Ökologisches Jahr, FÖJ). There are slightly different requirements for the European Voluntary Service.

Visas may also be issued for other charity work exceeding 90 days within one year. Please contact us with detailed information regarding the intended charity assignment.

Under German law, all residents must have sufficient health insurance cover. Please read our additional information on health insurance requirements.

How to apply for your visa:

1. Complete the VIDEX online application form, print one copy of the form including the barcode page (page 7) and sign the form on pages 5 and 6. Separate application forms are required for each applicant; all children also require separate forms.

2. Compile your supporting documentation to bring to your appointment:

• Printout of the online application form including barcodes (as under #1)

• Valid passport signed by the holder, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 6 months. The passport needs to have at least 2 consecutive blank pages (i.e. a blank double page spread).
  Plus 1 photocopy of the passport biodata page

• Current UK residence permit (BRP)/ visa (non-British applicants only).
  Plus 1 photocopy of the permit/ visa

• 2 fully biometric passport photos, size 35 x 45 mm. Consult our FAQs for detailed requirements.
• Contract/ arrangement for your voluntary service in Germany:
  • Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) - Your contract must be signed by you and the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFzA), as well as the placement department, headquarters and, where applicable, by the institution implementing the voluntary service.

  • Voluntary Social Year (FSJ)/ Voluntary Ecological Year (FOJ):
    Your contract must be signed by you and the respective institution, as well as, where applicable, the placement department.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses in Germany
  In most cases your volunteering sponsor will cover the cost of accommodation and board and possibly pocket money. In case the sponsor does not cover your living expenses, we will need to sight evidence that your have perosnal funds to cover your living expenses. Contact us for details.

• Confirmation of health insurance cover commensurate with the level of statutory German public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)

• Curriculum vitae in German or English

• Personal motivation letter in German or English explaining in detail what motivates you to take part in a volunteering program and what you expect to achieve through this programme

• Prepaid, self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery return envelope (up to 500g) in order to return your passport after processing (not applicable for applications submitted to a Visa Application Centre run by our external service provider, TLScontact).
• Visa fees apply

• Processing time: For some visa categories, we will require approval from other German government agencies, such as the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) or the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). If you have previously lived in Germany this will add to processing times, as the immigration office may need to look into your previous immigration record. Once a decision has been made on your application, we will contact you.

  In this visa category, most applications are typically processed within 2 weeks. This also applies to accompanying family members.

  Although we will provide you with a file number, please understand that we cannot respond to questions regarding the status of your visa application. Should we have any questions or should we require additional documentation to process your application, we will contact you.

  al documentation to process your application, we will contact you.

3. Book an appointment to apply for your visa.

Where to book your appointment/ apply for your visa:

Please apply directly with the German Mission having jurisdiction for your place of residence

Additional Information

If your application is successful, you will be issued a limited-validity entry visa - similar to a UK entry clearance. Once you have arrived in Germany please register your new residence with the local authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your Electronic Residence Permit. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

Further information on living and working in Germany is available here.