By volunteering in Europe, you’ll focus on long-term, sustainable development in local communities. You’ll also gain a deeper insight into people’s lives and the challenges they face.
Your work can make an incredible difference to the people you meet. Use this opportunity for personal growth, by stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a new culture.
On our volunteer opportunities in Europe, you can do things like:
- Improve education and career opportunities for children and teenagers as a volunteer teaching English in Europe.
- Help teachers and caregivers provide the best start in life by volunteering with children.
- Work at a shelter to give dogs love and care and volunteer in Europe with animals.
When looking for volunteer programmes in Europe, our Project Experts will help you find the project that best fits your interests and ambitions.
When you do volunteer work in Europe with us, we take care of the details, so you can have a hassle-free experience. Our local staff are available to help you 24/7. This means you can focus all your energy on making a real impact in the community where you’re working.
Why do volunteer work in Europe?
Compared to other continents, you may not think that Europe needs volunteers. However, we work in Eastern Europe, which is home to many disadvantaged communities where you can make a real impact. Romania has a high number of stray dogs who need looking after, as well as children from low-income households placed in overcrowded care centres. Our volunteers are able to ease the pressure and provide extra support.
Countries in Eastern Europe are flourishing and much of this is because of the support of volunteers in Europe. One of the biggest impacts you can have is to head into the region and teach English. This gives local people the chance to land a high paying and secure job, which in turn helps the whole economy to grow.
In doing this great work, you’ll be immersed in a new and fascinating culture. You’ll get to live life from a different perspective and leave with new skills and a lifelong group of friends. Plus, European travel does offer a certain level of comfort infrastructure that many travellers appreciate.
How to Become a Volunteer in Europe
Want to know more about volunteering in Europe? Getting started is easy! Just follow these steps to make your international volunteer travel dreams into a reality:
- Think about the work you want to do, whether that’s helping children or gaining practical work experience as a journalist.
- Reach out to our Project Experts, who can provide more information and help you make the right choice for your interests and goals.
- Decide how much time you have to travel to Europe and how flexible your dates are. This will determine what kind of trip is right for you, whether that's an independent Flexi Trip or a High School Special for students aged 15-18.
- Once you know what type of volunteer work you’d like to do, and the length you wish to travel for, there’s nothing left to do but fill in the application form and book your place!
Do You Need a Visa to Volunteer in Europe?
When you apply, we’ll support you every step of the way. We’ll make sure you have everything you need to safely volunteer abroad, wherever you go.
One of the advantages of travel to Europe is that most visitors can stay for 90 days without a visa. Circumstances and requirements can change, but our Visa Team will be on hand to help you out with any visa-related travel concerns.
How Old Do I Have to be to Volunteer in Europe?
All our volunteer opportunities in Europe are open to people aged 16 and over. To join a project, all you need to do is check you meet the requirements and apply. Most of our volunteer abroad projects have minimum requirements which are stated clearly on the project page, but feel free to get in touch for more advice and support.
Looking to volunteer in Europe under 18? We offer volunteer programmes in Europe for high school students. Our High School Specials are designed to give teenagers the support and care they need as young travellers. Volunteering in Europe for 16 and 17 year olds is the perfect way to build skills in preparation for university.
And there’s no upper age limit! We believe you’re never too old to do volunteer work in Europe. In fact, your experience and skills are much needed to support development in European communities. No matter your age, you’ll find Europe to be an amazing part of the world to offer your skills and support.
Is Volunteering in Europe Ethical?
Rest assured you’ll have an ethical experience with us in Eastern Europe. We hold all our volunteers to a high standard, especially on the projects that involve animals and children.
As champions of responsible volunteer travel, we follow an eight point checklist for all projects, including our volunteer in Europe opportunities. This guarantees an ethical travel experience for all involved.
Learn more about our policies and approach to ethical volunteering.
Do We Offer Short Term Volunteering in Europe?
Only available for a short trip abroad? No need to worry! You can volunteer in Europe from a minimum of one week. This offers the most flexibility, so you can have an amazing experience and do vital volunteer work, no matter how long you’re able to travel for.
If you’re concerned about what kind of impact you can really make in a week, read our blog that explains how we approach short-term volunteering.
Our price increases per week are minimal, so the longer you stay, the better value your trip! You’ll also have more time to really learn about a new European culture and to see the amazing impact you’re having on local communities.
Do you offer free or paid volunteer work in Europe?
We want you to have an experience abroad that is safe and impactful. If you’re looking for free volunteer programmes in Europe or paid volunteer work in Europe, then you won’t be able to have the experience that we aim to give all our volunteers.
We can’t achieve our long term sustainable development goals without adequate funding, which is why we charge a fee for our volunteer projects in Europe. This fee covers food, accommodation, and much more. The money you pay to volunteer overseas ensures you have a safe and hassle-free trip, so you can focus on making a positive transformation.
Read more about why you can’t volunteer abroad for free.
You may not be able to volunteer in Europe for free, but this doesn’t mean it’s not affordable. Especially when you consider that our programme fees include:
- Three meals a day
- Accommodation
- Transportation to and from your placement
Plus, the longer you stay, the lower the cost per week.
We also offer affordable volunteering programmes in Europe via our flexible payment plans. We understand that paying in one go isn’t always possible, so we just ask for an initial deposit and then you can pay as much or as little as you like in a series of small instalments. We’re completely flexible, but the entire fee does need to be paid in full before you leave for your project.
If you’re still thinking about how to finance your volunteer opportunity in Europe, we offer advice and support for volunteer fundraising, so you’re able to afford the adventure of a lifetime! Our staff and alumni are experts on raising funds and we’ll ensure that you’re able to secure the required amount.
Is it Safe to Volunteer in Europe?
Eastern Europe, where our projects are based, is a safe and stable region of the world. Wherever you go, you’ll find political stability. Like anywhere though, visitors should be aware of their surroundings. Local staff will be on hand to offer tips and advice on keeping yourself and your belongings safe. They’re contactable 24/7. If you choose to volunteer in Europe on our High School Specials for under 18s, you’ll have constant support and supervision .
Where to Volunteer in Europe
You can volunteer in Eastern Europe in:
Europe has a long and fascinating history, which can only be fully explored by immersing yourself in the culture. At the same time, many communities are understaffed and under-resourced.
If you’d like to make a difference to local communities while improving your own life prospects, then don’t delay. Book a European volunteering adventure today!
Ready to start your volunteer in Europe adventure?
We have the expertise and staff on the ground to create a custom project for you, or simply help you find the best option.
Speak to one of our Europe experts on:
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Request Infoto start planning your project
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