On this page

1. EU programmes

2. Other Programmes

3. Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers

EU programmes

The German-speaking Community participates both in  the  Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps  programme. The Youth Office (Jugendbüro der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft) was appointed as National Agency of these programmes. The Youth Office (Jugendbüro der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft) is responsible for the implementation of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Programmes, amongst other responsibilities, and received funding amounting to around 810,000 Euro for the year 2024. 

Other Programmes

Bel'J

In 2009, the youth ministers of the three Communities in Belgium started the Bel’J Programme. Bel’J allows groups of young people or young individuals between the age of 16 and 30 to meet young people from other Belgian Communities or develop a volunteer projects in the other Communities in collaboration with local organisations. Each of the communities has put an agency in charge of overseeing the activities of Bel’J. The Jugendbüro (Youth Office) coordinates Bel'J in the German-speaking Community.

Quebec-Wallonie

Another programme in which young people coming from the German-speaking Community can participate is Quebec-Wallonie. As far as the German-speaking Community is concerned, the Youth Office is responsible for coordinating this programme.

Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers

Short-term voluntary work can be taken on in Belgium without the need for a work permit, although the visa/residence requirements apply.

Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can travel freely to Belgium on the basis of their national ID card or passport and do not require a visa to travel to Belgium nor a work permit to engage in economic activities. As a rule, third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) need a visa to enter Belgium and a work permit to engage in economic activities.