If you want to start a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) in Germany, the application works differently from a university or job application. In the FSJ the route leads through a sponsoring organisation, while in the Federal Voluntary Service you first look for a host placement. Planning early is worthwhile, because deadlines differ from one sponsor to another.
Short answer: For an FSJ you usually apply directly to a sponsoring organisation that runs placements. For the Federal Voluntary Service you first look for a placement, for example through the placement search on bundesfreiwilligendienst.de. Deadlines differ between sponsors, and the Federal Employment Agency recommends starting about one year before the start date (status of the information sheet: July 2021).
Key points
- In the FSJ you usually apply to a sponsoring organisation, in the Federal Voluntary Service to a host placement.
- The Federal Employment Agency recommends starting the application about one year before the start.
- A CV and a cover letter are the usual documents, and each sponsor sets the details.
- Under section 2 JFDG the FSJ and FÖJ have an age limit of under 27, while section 2 BFDG names none for the Federal Voluntary Service. Individual sponsors may set their own requirements.
- The service can bridge the time until your training or studies begin.
Which route applies to the FSJ and the Federal Voluntary Service?
The information sheet of the Federal Employment Agency (in German) describes two separate routes. The table shows where you start in each case.
| Step | FSJ or FÖJ | Federal Voluntary Service |
|---|---|---|
| First step | choose a sponsor that runs placements | look for a host placement |
| Where to search | offers from sponsors, overviews of the BMFSFJ, pro-fsj.de and fsj-hessen.de | placement search on bundesfreiwilligendienst.de |
| Documents | CV and cover letter, details from the sponsor | CV and cover letter, details from the host placement |
| Responsibility | the sponsor for its placements | the host placement and the agreement that follows |
When should you apply?
Deadlines differ between sponsors. The information sheet advises planning enough time and starting about one year before the desired start. It does not name a fixed start date for the service. According to the same sheet, the service can bridge the time until your training or studies begin.
If you are about to start a degree, the information sheet recommends securing the study place first, because it stays reserved. You can then plan the service without the risk of losing that place.
A timeline in three stages
| Timing | What you do |
|---|---|
| Early, ideally about a year before | compare placements and sponsors and note the deadlines |
| Before each deadline | send the application with CV and cover letter |
| After an offer | check the agreement, sign it and confirm the start date |
What belongs in the application?
Sponsors and placements usually ask for a CV and a cover letter in which you explain why you want to do the service. The information sheet names these two documents as the usual rule. Each sponsor determines the exact process.
What the cover letter should achieve
A good cover letter makes three points: why this particular placement interests you, which earlier experience helps, and what you expect from the year. General phrases sound interchangeable. A placement in childcare wants to know how you handle children, while a care home wants to know whether you cope with responsibility and fixed routines.
The CV for a voluntary service
Keep it short and clear, with your school qualification, internships and existing engagement. If you are already studying or plan to, mention it, because the service often runs until your studies begin. For describing volunteer work properly, see Volunteering on your CV: how to describe engagement properly.
Which age limits apply?
You should clarify the age limit before you apply. For the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), section 2 (1) no. 1 of the Youth Voluntary Services Act (JFDG) requires that you have completed full-time compulsory schooling and have not yet turned 27. The Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) also falls under the JFDG. For the Federal Voluntary Service, section 2 BFDG requires only completed full-time compulsory schooling and names no age limit (both statutes retrieved on 2 November 2026). The length of compulsory schooling is set by state law. The information sheet of the Federal Employment Agency names nine or ten school years depending on the federal state (status July 2021).
Some overviews by individual sponsors name a lower limit for the FSJ, such as 26 years (a sponsor comparison from 2024). The statutory limit of the JFDG is the relevant one. Still, ask the sponsor whether it sets its own requirements for admission before you apply. This matters especially if you are close to the limit.
How to structure your placement search
A simple overview saves a lot of time. Note the sponsor, the deadline, the age limit and a contact person for each placement. Someone who keeps the list up to date can see quickly which application comes next.
- Create a table with placement, sponsor, deadline and contact person.
- Ask several sponsors whether they have places for your preferred start date.
- Ask to see the agreement before you accept and read it calmly.
- Note missing documents early so that certificates arrive in time.
It is important to know that you do not decide alone. Sponsors and placements decide on allocation depending on the places available. If one option does not work out, try another sponsor or placement rather than giving up.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply at short notice?
That depends on the sponsor and on the free places. The information sheet explicitly recommends planning with enough lead time. Places allocated at short notice are possible when positions are still free, but do not rely on this and ask several sponsors early.
May I apply to several placements at once?
Yes, and it makes sense, because an offer is not guaranteed. A binding commitment arises with the signed agreement, so check it carefully before you accept, and let the other placements know once you have decided.
How do I choose between the FSJ and the Federal Voluntary Service?
The comparison of both services is covered in FSJ or Federal Voluntary Service: which one suits you. For the application, what matters most is whether a sponsor or placement offers the profile you want.
Does the service affect child benefit and insurance?
A separate article explains child benefit and family insurance during the service: FSJ and Federal Voluntary Service: child benefit and insurance (in German). For the application this is secondary, but it should be clarified before the start.
How to proceed now
- Find two or three placements or sponsors that match your interests.
- Note the application deadlines and the age limit, and check both directly with the sponsor.
- Write a separate cover letter for each placement rather than sending a standard text.
- Keep the agreement after signing and check it again before the start.
Related reading
- Volunteering, voluntary service and engagement: the overview for students
- FSJ or Federal Voluntary Service: which one suits you
- Allowance in the voluntary service: what FSJ and BFD actually pay
- Volunteering on your CV: how to describe engagement properly
Sources: Information sheet on voluntary services, Federal Employment Agency (in German), status July 2021. Statutes: section 2 JFDG and section 2 BFDG, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, retrieved 2 November 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
