Volunteer Work in Europe

Immerse yourself in European culture while taking part in meaningful volunteer activities

On our volunteer programmes in Europe, you’ll live and work alongside locals, allowing you to truly experience European life while contributing to worthwhile projects.

You’ll explore Europe’s rich heritage, make lifelong memories, and gain a fresh perspective on the world.

With projects in Spain, Romania, France, and Greece, you can choose from

Shadowing and learning from English-speaking doctors while completing a Medicine Internship in Greece or Spain
Dive into Barcelona, Spain and contribute to vital marine conservation or community development
Explore Paris and practice wilderness skills in the countryside of southern France
Work with local teachers and caregivers to teach English in Romania; helping young children learn through play

Is volunteering in Europe safe?

Yes. We make sure all our projects are in safe and stable European countries. That way, you know you'll have a reliable and worry-free time.

You can travel and volunteer in Europe with total peace of mind. 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.

Find out more about safety and backup.

How old do I have to be to join a volunteer programme in Europe?

Our volunteer opportunities in Europe are open to high school students aged 15-18, however the medical programmes are only open for volunteers aged over 18.

For teenagers aged 15, 16 or 17 interested in volunteering in Europe, we offer specialized programmes for high school students. Our teen volunteer programmes in Europe are designed to provide in-country supervision for young travellers, creating a safe and exciting experience that helps build your skills ready for college.

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 get in touch for more advice and support.

How to become a volunteer in Europe

Archaeology volunteers in Romania digging at an excavation site.

Ready to volunteer in Europe but unsure where to start? Well, it’s simple! Just follow these steps to turn your dreams into a reality:

Think about the volunteer work you’d prefer to do, whether that’s educating young children, protecting marine life, or gaining medical experience. If you have your heart set on a particular European country, then choose your favourite from the projects we offer in that destination
Reach out to our Project Experts, who can provide more information and help you make the right choice according to your interests and goals
Decide how much time you have to travel to Europe, how flexible your dates are, and if you’d rather travel alone or as part of a group. This will determine what kind of trip is right for you, whether that's an independent Trip, a Team Trip, or a Teen Programme for students aged 15-18
Once you know which country you want to visit, what type of work you’d like to be doing, and the length you wish to travel for, there’s nothing left to do but fill in the application form and book your place!

After you’re accepted onto your volunteer programme in Europe, you’ll then need to book your flights and organise your visa and insurance.

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 Destination Experts will be on hand to help you out with any visa-related travel concerns.

Do we offer short-term volunteering in Europe?

Our volunteer programmes in Europe last a minimum of two weeks, giving you enough time and flexibility to completely immerse yourself and do vital volunteer work.

Our price increases per week are minimal, so the longer you stay, the better value your trip will be! 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?

Projects Abroad volunteer in Romania interacting with local women.

We charge a fee for our programmes to ensure your experience abroad is safe, impactful, and sustainable. This fee covers your meals, accommodation, programme resources, transport, and much more.

Our European volunteer projects have a fee because we want to give you the best possible experience. That means we need funding to run the programmes and plan the logistics, and your fee helps us cover those costs.

We also offer affordable volunteering programmes in Europe via our flexible payment plans as we understand that paying in one go isn’t always possible, so we just ask for an initial deposit of €295 and then you can pay as much or as little as you like in a series of small installments. We’re completely flexible, but the entire fee does need to be paid in full before you leave for your project.

Want to know more about volunteering in Europe?

Our Project Experts will help you find the project that best fits your interests and ambitions.

Once you know what type of volunteer work you’d like to do and the length of time you wish to travel, you can fill in the application form and book your place!

+353 1 571 5080

Request Info

to start planning your project