What is an FSJ or a BFD

About Voluntary Services

The DRK Regional Association of Rhineland-Palatinate is a recognized provider of voluntary services. DRK handles your recruitment, contract matters, placement, administration, payment, certificates, and the seminars.

Mailing address:
DRK-Landesverband RLP e.V.
Freiwilligendienste
Mitternachtsgasse 4, 55116 Mainz
Email: freiwilligendienste@lv-rlp.drk.de 
Hotline: 06131-28281380

You’ll find the contact information of the voluntary service team under Team. If you can’t reach your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in), feel free to call our hotline.

Accidents

See Occupational Accident

BFD (Federal Voluntary Service)

The Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) is similar in structure and content to the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ). Key differences include a shorter probation period (see "Probation Period") and mandatory participation in a seminar on political education.

Unlike the FSJ, the BFD is also open to individuals over the age of 27.

Bonus Payment

According to the law, volunteers cannot receive financial bonuses for overtime, weekend, or public holiday shifts.

Breaks

If you’re under 18, your breaks are regulated by the Youth Employment Protection Act:

• 30 minutes if you work 4.5 to 6 hours
• 60 minutes if you work more than 6 hours

If you’re over 18, your breaks follow the Working Hours Act:

• 30 minutes for 6–9 hours of work
• 45 minutes for more than 9 hours

You must not work longer than 6 hours without a break. Special arrangements may apply based on your placement’s internal agreements.

Certificates

You will receive a provisional certificate confirming your participation and expected duration of service at the start of your voluntary service. This certificate can be used for official purposes.

After completing your voluntary service (minimum 6 months), you will automatically receive a final certificate in accordance with labor law, documenting the actual duration of your service. Keep the original for your records and use copies for applications.

For proof of your monthly allowance and benefits in kind, you will receive regular payslips. At the beginning and end of your service, you’ll also receive documentation for your social insurance registration and deregistration.

Please keep these documents safe—you may need them even after your service ends.

Certificate of Service

FSJ: After completing at least six months of voluntary service, you can request a qualified certificate. Please note:

• You only receive a certificate if you ask for one. Contact your placement and educational advisor about four weeks before the end of your service.

BFD: After your BFD ends, you must receive a qualified certificate from us.

• Only certificates issued by the DRK Regional Association are legally valid. Certificates written directly by the placement are not.
• You will receive your certificate only after your service ends. If you need an interim certificate, ask your placement in advance.

Child Benefit

Under German tax law, voluntary service is equivalent to school or vocational training. This means you are generally entitled to child benefit. You’ll receive a certificate for this purpose with your contract.

Citizen's Allowance

To find out if you are entitled to Bürgergeld (citizen’s allowance), contact your local Jobcenter. According to the new Bürgergeld Law (effective July 1, 2023), the following applies:

• Volunteers under the age of 26 have a monthly exemption of €520.
• Volunteers aged 26 and over have a monthly exemption of €250.

Commuting Costs

Travel costs for commuting to your placement are not reimbursed in FSJ and BFD. However, you may be eligible for discounted public transport tickets through local transport providers. Check if the Deutschland-Ticket is the cheapest option for you.

Conflicts

If there are any issues or uncertainties at your placement, we’re here to help. Contact your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in) early on if you have questions about your schedule, sick leave, responsibilities, or working with colleagues.

Contract / Agreement

The agreement is your official service contract between you, your placement, and the DRK. It outlines the rights and duties of everyone involved in your voluntary service. One copy is for you, one stays with your placement, and one is returned to the DRK once everyone has signed.

Data Protection and Confidentiality

Your personal data will only be collected, processed, and used by the DRK to the extent necessary for organizing, implementing, and completing your voluntary service.

You may not share any data such as names or photos provided during your voluntary service or during seminars with third parties. This also applies to information about others in your placement and to internal matters. Violations of data protection and confidentiality can lead to legal consequences, including dismissal.

Information on data protection for digital seminars and in-person participation can be found on our website.

Duration of Service

officially recognized as voluntary service after a minimum of six months (see Certificate). You can extend your service up to a total of 18 months.

To apply for an extension, you need an official form, which you can get from your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in). Your placement must agree in writing.

For each additional month, you will be granted one additional mandatory seminar day and two more vacation days. Please contact your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in) regarding scheduling the extra seminar days.

Educational Support

Educational support during your voluntary service is legally defined (see JFDG and BFDG). It consists of:

• Practical supervision at the placement
• Seminar days accompanying your practical work
• Support from your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in)

If you have any questions or issues during your voluntary service, your educational advisor is always there to help.

Emergency Medical Services

If you're volunteering in emergency medical services, you must first complete a course to become a certified paramedic (Rettungssanitäter*in). This course does not count toward your official service time.

Working hours in emergency services differ: because of so-called "standby times" (waiting periods between missions), the weekly hours can be up to 44.

Seminar weeks count as regular workweeks—no overtime or undertime will be recorded for those days.

Extention

See Duration of Service

Federal Employment Agency

As a volunteer, you are not required to register as a job seeker under § 38 (1) SGB III before your service ends. However, to avoid interruptions in unemployment benefit payments (ALG I), you must register as a job seeker three months before the end of your service—unless you immediately start a new job, apprenticeship, or studies.

You will receive a certificate of employment (Arbeitsbescheinigung) from the employment agency. Please send the completed form to your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in).

Flexible Seminar Days (Flexitage)

You can choose your flexible seminar days (Flexitage) individually from a wide range of topics to match your personal interests. You select these days during or after your first block seminar via our online tool freiwillig24.de.

Freiwillig24.de

Freiwillig24 (sodys.freiwillig24.de) is an online tool where you can:

• Upload missing documents
• Choose your flexible seminar days
• Inform the DRK about your illness
• Upload your doctor's note (AUB)

You’ll receive your login credentials via email at the appropriate time through the freiwillig24 website.

We use the email address you provided us for registration. If you forget your password, you can reset it directly on the website.

German Red Cross

The German Red Cross (DRK) is a leading provider in the field of independent welfare services. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comprises 192 national societies (as of 2020). Our guiding principles are: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality. More information about the DRK is available here.

Happiness in Voluntary Service

Your voluntary service is a year of learning and orientation based on developmental goals. Our happiness concept gives you helpful ideas for your personal growth. You’ll come across the topic of happiness throughout your service—for example, in the “Happiness Group” (Glücksgruppe) where you can share your experiences from your placement and reflect on what happiness means to you.

Illness (Seminar)

If you are sick, call your placement immediately—no later than before your scheduled start time—and let them know how long you expect to be out. You do not need to explain why. Discuss what to do in case of illness with your placement beforehand.

A doctor’s note (AUB) must be submitted to the DRK and your placement no later than the third calendar day of illness. Your contract might state a shorter time—please check. There are three possible cases:

• You receive two copies (one for you, one for your employer). 
• You receive only one copy: contact your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in).
• If your doctor cannot provide a paper note, let us know the exact dates.

The report of your illness is done via our Freiwillig24 website. On the welcome page, you will find the "Sick Leave" tab. Please enter the period and type of sick leave here. Please also upload a photo of your sick leave certificate.

If your illness lasts more than six weeks, DRK will pay your allowance for the first six weeks. After that, you’ll receive sick pay from your health insurance. Be sure to also send the doctor’s note to your health insurance provider if it’s not sent electronically.

Let the DRK know as soon as you expect to be well again.

Illness (Service at the Placement Site)

In case of illness, notify your deployment site immediately (at the latest before the start of your shift) by phone to inform them about the expected duration of your illness. It's not necessary to disclose the reason for your illness. Make sure to discuss the procedure in case of illness in advance with your EST (Einsatzstelle).

If you are sick for more than three calendar days (not working days!), a medical certificate confirming the incapacity to work and its expected duration is required.

There are two cases here:

• If you receive three copies (one for you as the insured person, one for the employer, and one for the health insurance): The AUB (certificate of incapacity for work) must be presented immediately to the DRK-Landesverband RLP and at your deployment site.
• If you only receive a single copy for yourself as the insured person, please contact your responsible education coordinator.

The report of your illness is done via our Freiwillig24 website. On the welcome page, you will find the "Sick Leave" tab. Please enter the period and type of sick leave here. Please also upload a photo of your sick leave certificate.

In the case of prolonged illness, the DRK LV RLP will continue to pay your benefits for up to six weeks. After that, you will receive sick pay from your health insurance. It is important here that you also send the AUBs to your health insurance, unless they are transmitted electronically.

Please be sure to notify the DRK as soon as it is clear when you will likely be able to work again.

In-Service Training

You should have the opportunity to take part in internal training programs.

Insurances

You are fully insured during your voluntary service. This includes:

• Health insurance
  → All volunteers must have statutory health insurance. If you’re privately insured through your family, you’ll need to switch to a statutory fund for the duration of your service. Ask your insurance provider whether you can return to your old plan afterward.
• Accident insurance
  → You’re covered for accidents during your working hours, on seminar days, and while commuting directly to or from work or seminars.
• Liability insurance
• Pension insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Unemployment insurance

Internship

Voluntary service can be recognized as a pre-internship or nursing internship for certain social, educational, or medical training programs or studies. Please ask the relevant school or institution whether and how your voluntary service will be recognized.

If you plan to do an internship during your voluntary service, see "Leave of Absence".

Labor Market Neutrality

ccording to the law, your voluntary service is a year of learning and orientation. It is considered a full-time, practical support activity in organizations that serve the public good (see "Placement"). You support the professional staff.

Leave of Absence

There is no entitlement to special leave. However, in exceptional cases and with your placement’s approval, you can be released from your duties—for example, to attend a university entrance exam or job interview.

If the appointment falls on a seminar day, your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in) is responsible for approving your release. The missed seminar day must be made up. Requests for release must always be submitted in writing and include proof of the reason.

Longer releases (e.g. for internships) are also possible. Please note that your placement’s insurance does not cover the internship site—you will need written approval from your placement.

Legal Framework

Voluntary service is governed by the following legal regulations:

• JFDG – Youth Voluntary Service Act
• BFDG – Federal Voluntary Service Act
• ArbZG – Working Hours Act
• ArbSchG – Occupational Health and Safety Act
• JArbSchG – Youth Employment Protection Act

Mandatory Rest Periods

You are entitled to a rest period of eleven hours between the end of one shift and the start of the next. If you’re under 18, other rules apply (see Youth Employment Protection Act).

In hospitals and care institutions, this break may be shortened to ten hours, as long as it's balanced out with a longer rest period (at least twelve hours) within the same month.

MS Teams

We use MS Teams for seminar days. You’ll receive your login information from us before your first seminar.

Nightshifts

Night shifts are only allowed in exceptional cases and only in specific work areas (e.g., ambulance service or driving services), and only after prior consultation.

Occupational Accidents

If you experience an accident at your placement, the accident insurance provider (Berufsgenossenschaft) of your placement is responsible. This also applies to accidents during seminars. Please contact us if you have had an accident.

Occupational Health and Safety

During your voluntary service, the same occupational safety rules apply as in regular employment. Please ask on-site about the house rules and any specific safety regulations. Your placement will provide protective clothing if needed and will arrange any required health screenings.

Official Warning / Written Warning

It is possible to receive an official warning in your voluntary service if there is misconduct at your placement or during seminar days. If the behavior does not improve, this may lead to termination of the service.

Orphan's and Half-Orphan's Pension

If you are eligible for an orphan’s or half-orphan’s pension as a dependent of an insured person, you continue to receive it during your voluntary service—up to the age of 26.

Overtime

You should only work overtime in exceptional cases. You’ll receive time off instead of money for extra hours. Overtime pay is not allowed.

Part Time

Both the Youth Voluntary Service (under 27) and the BFD27plus can be done part-time. You can choose between these working hours:

20.5 h, 30 h, or 39 h per week.

Your allowance will be adjusted accordingly, but the number of seminar days stays the same for all options.

Placement Site

The DRK Regional Association in Rhineland-Palatinate offers over 950 volunteer positions—both in DRK-run institutions and in other public-benefit organizations. Volunteer placements are available in educational, care, and medical fields. An overview of available placements can be found here.

Placement Visit

Your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in) and your placement are in regular contact to ensure your service is a success. If there’s anything you want to discuss, feel free to reach out to your advisor. If necessary, we will also visit you at your placement.

Police Clearance Certificate

In some areas of voluntary service, you will need an extended police clearance certificate. You’ll get this document free of charge from your local registration office with a letter provided by your placement. The application may take up to four weeks—please plan accordingly.

Pre-Employment Medical Examination

Your placement will inform you if you need a pre-service health check or vaccinations. In some cases—especially for volunteers under 18—a medical examination under §§ 32 and 42 of the Youth Employment Protection Act is required before you begin. Costs are usually covered either by your health insurance or your placement—please clarify this in advance.

Vaccinations may also be necessary depending on your assignment (as per the Biological Agents Ordinance). Your placement will let you know which health measures apply in your role.

Pregnancy

The Maternity Protection Act applies to voluntary service. Parental leave is not available. Depending on your tasks, an employment ban may be necessary. Please inform your placement and the DRK as soon as possible if you become pregnant.

If you have any questions, talk to your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in).

Probationary Period

There is a probationary period at the beginning of your voluntary service. You can find the exact duration in your service agreement.

Regional Offices

In addition to our office in Mainz, we have regional offices in Koblenz and Kaiserslautern. These offices coordinate the local seminar groups.

Addresses:

DRK-Landesverband RLP e.V.
Freiwilligendienste | Kaiserslautern Office
Wilh.-Kittelberger Str. 71, 67659 Kaiserslautern

DRK-Landesverband RLP e.V.
Freiwilligendienste | Koblenz Office
Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str. 12, 56073 Koblenz

Secondary Employment

You must always apply in advance if you want to take a side job. It’s only allowed in small amounts, and only if it doesn’t interfere with your regular working hours.

You need to complete the "Side Job Application" form and have it signed by you, your placement, and the DRK. Your voluntary service always takes priority and counts as your main job.

Seminars and Seminar Days

During your Youth Voluntary Service, you will attend 25 seminar days. In the BFD 27plus program, 12 seminar days are mandatory per year. Seminars take place either online or in person and include:

• Welcome Day
• Block Seminars
• Flexible Days (Flexitage)

Special conditions apply for BFD 27plus.

One key focus of the seminars is reflecting on your daily experiences at your placement (practice reflection). You will actively shape the seminar content. Participation in seminars is mandatory and counts as working time.

If you’d like to get an impression of what the seminar work looks like, check out our Instagram or the latest posts on our Social Wall.

Sick Pay

Illness lasting more than 42 days – entitlement to sick pay. If something serious comes up, make sure to let us know.

Special Leave

See Leave of Absence

Supervision / Mentoring

You will have a practice supervisor or mentor at your placement. This person is your first point of contact on-site and will support you with both your professional and personal orientation and development.

Supplementary ID Card

Do you have a supplementary ID card (Ergänzungsausweis)? If so, please contact your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in).

Termination

Your voluntary service ends automatically once the contract expires.

During the probation period, you, your placement, or DRK can end the agreement at any time without giving a reason (see "Probation"). After probation, you can end your service with four weeks’ notice to the 15th or last day of a month. This deadline must be strictly observed.

Please use the "Termination Request" form from your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in) if needed. Send us the signed form by post—signed by you and your placement (and by your legal guardian if you're underage).

Travel Expenses (Seminar)

Travel costs for seminars (using public transport, 2nd-class train—excluding ICE, IC, EC—or car) can be reimbursed. Submit the completed reimbursement form along with the tickets to your educational advisor (Bildungsreferent*in).

Always choose the most cost-effective travel option. Forms must be submitted no later than three weeks after the seminar, flex day, or preparation meeting. You can get the form during the seminar or via email.

University Admission

If you receive a university place via the Foundation for University Admission (hochschulstart.de) during your voluntary service, it will be reserved for you until the following year (§18 of the State Treaty). Your voluntary service may have a positive effect on your applications. Be sure to check with your chosen university or college for their specific regulations.

University Entrance Qualification (Practical Part)

To have your voluntary service recognized as the practical part of the university of applied sciences entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife), it usually needs to last a full 12 months. For more details, please contact the institution that approved your theoretical qualification (usually your former school).

Vacation

You are entitled to 26 vacation days if you serve for 12 months (regardless of your age). Make sure to plan your vacation with your supervisor at your placement. Keep in mind that some placements (like kindergartens or schools) may have mandatory closures.

Vacation is not allowed during seminar days.

Vaccination

Depending on your placement, you might need certain vaccinations (e.g. for hepatitis) before starting your service. Your placement will know whether this applies to you. The placement also covers the costs. Please ask before your service starts whether you need any vaccinations.

Volunteer ID

At the beginning of your voluntary service, you will receive a volunteer ID card. It is similar to a student ID and allows you to access various discounts—though there is no legal entitlement. Please check the local regulations on accepted discounts.

You can find an overview of the available benefits here:

Benefits finden | FREIWILLIG JA 

Work Clothes

If your placement requires specific work clothing, it will be provided to you by the placement.

Working Hours

Your working hours depend on the placement’s internal regulations. Please ask your placement for the exact number of weekly hours.

Schedules are created by the responsible staff at your placement. In placements with shift work, early, late, or weekend shifts (or other duty models) may apply. Overtime and undertime should be avoided or compensated quickly. You cannot be held responsible for involuntary undertime.

See also: Youth Employment Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz)

Working hours

The working hours are determined by the labor conditions of the deployment site and are considered full-time in youth volunteer services. You can inquire about the exact weekly working hours at your deployment site.

The duty schedules are created by the responsible staff in the deployment sites. Sites with shift work may involve early, late, and weekend shifts, or other schedule models. Minus and overtime hours should be avoided or promptly compensated. Unintentional minus hours cannot be attributed to volunteers. See Youth Employment Protection Act (Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz).

Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG)

The Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG) applies to anyone under 18. It includes rules about working hours, rest periods, weekend shifts, and breaks. Talk to your supervisor if you're under 18. If you have questions, feel free to ask your educational advisor.

We’ve summarized the most important rules for you here.