If you want to get involved in the common good outside of work and school, you can complete a federal volunteer service.

They can complete the Federal Voluntary Service in the social, ecological and cultural fields, in the field of sport, integration or in civil protection and disaster control. You can choose for yourself in which area, at which location and at which place of work you are involved.

The following key points apply to the Federal Voluntary Service:

• The standard period is 12 months, a minimum of 6, a maximum of 18 months. In exceptional cases, assignments of up to 24 months are also possible (for example, if there is a special pedagogical concept).
• If you are older than 27 years, you can also complete the Federal Voluntary Service part-time (at least 20 hours per week).
• You will receive pocket money: The maximum amount is currently EUR 390.00 per month.
• Your contributions to social security and statutory accident insurance are paid by the place of work.
• If you complete the 12-month Federal Voluntary Service, you are generally entitled to unemployment benefits.
• If you are younger than 25 years of age and are doing 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 a probationary period. The service can be terminated during this time with a notice period of two weeks. After the probationary period, the notice period is four weeks, on the 15th or at the end of each month. In addition, the employment relationship can also be terminated prematurely for good cause - for example, due to the start of vocational training or studies.

During the service, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Youth Employment Protection Act as well as the provisions of the Federal Leave Act apply. For example, if you have been with twelve months of service, you are entitled to 24 days of leave.

Work clothes, accommodation and meals can be provided or the costs for them can be reimbursed.
In the case of social insurance, the Federal Voluntary Service is equivalent to an apprenticeship. The contributions for pension, accident, health, long-term care and unemployment insurance are paid by the place of employment.

As part of the special program "Federal Voluntary Service with Refugee Reference", up to 10,000 new BFD places are made available every year. The occupancy of these places must be related to refugee aid. This means that the deployment must be carried out in refugee aid or the service must be provided by refugees.