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1. EU programmes

2. Other Programmes

3. Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers

EU programmes

Malta participates in Erasmus+ programme:  Mobility of Young People (Youth Exchanges) and Mobility of Youth Workers (Youth workers’ training and networking). Malta also participates in the European Solidarity Corps programme. 

The European Union Programmes Agency keeps contact with the beneficiaries hosting volunteers in Malta and is aware of who is volunteering with the said organisations. The European Union Programmes Agency collects no data in relation to the individual volunteer but holds information about the number of volunteers involved.

The European Union Programmes Agency is in charge of organising and monitoring these EU programmes at national level.

Other Programmes

In 2016 the Malta Council for the Voluntary Centre created the Youth Voluntary Service programme in order to support and subsidise voluntary experience abroad for young people through where locally registered voluntary organisations carry out international voluntary service in, Africa, Asia or South America.

The Programme shall also cover the following:
A per diem allowance of €15 which shall cover accommodation, food, and local transportation;
80% Travel expenses (flight);
100% Travel and health insurance.

Youth volunteers under the Youth Voluntary Service programme are covered by health and travel insurance.
 

Volunteers which participate in the Youth Voluntary Service may enrol in projects in Africa, Asia or South America.

The Malta Council for the voluntary sector actively collects quantitative and qualitative data of the participating voluntary organisations and youth volunteers. Formal quantitative data is organised yearly through projections as well as data collections in order to evaluate the number of participants, voluntary projects participated in, costs covered per year and exponential growth. Qualitative data is collected per project and a formal report is submitted at the end of each voluntary project subsidised under the youth voluntary service project by the youth volunteers.

Legal framework applying to foreign volunteers

It is important to note that should a volunteer be a national of a visa-free country, and the volunteer scheme is less than 3 months, the third country national may enter and reside Malta without applying for a visa or a residence permit, provided that the visa exemption covers the whole period of residence in Malta.

Alternatively, if the volunteer scheme is longer than 3 months, or if the third-country national is required to obtain a visa to enter Malta, the following documents are required:

• Copy of a valid passport (period of validity to cover at least the duration of the planned stay)
• where the applicant is a minor:
  • parental authorisation
  • a copy of the minor’s birth certificate
  • a copy of the parents’ passports
• Evidence of comprehensive sickness insurance covering the period of one year or the duration of the voluntary work whichever is shorter. The TCN may choose to present a declaration by the Entitlement Unit indicating their exemption from being in possession of medical insurance, as well as the duration of the exemption.
• Evidence that any fee that may be applicable has been paid
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the year or at a pro-rata basis if the duration of voluntary work is shorter
• Proof of accommodation covering the period of one year or the duration of the voluntary work, whichever is shorter
  • where the applicant cannot provide his future address at the time of application, the CEO shall accept a temporary address and the applicant shall provide his permanent address upon application of a residence permit
• Provide an agreement with the host entity or, another body responsible for the voluntary service scheme in which he is participating. The agreement shall contain:
  • a description of the voluntary service scheme;
  • the duration of the voluntary service;
  • the placement and supervision conditions of the voluntary service;
  • the volunteering hours;
  • the resources available to cover his subsistence and accommodation costs and a minimum sum of money as pocket money throughout the stay;
  • where applicable, the training he will receive to help perform the voluntary service;
• Provide proof that the voluntary scheme is recognised as a Mobility Project for Young People: Voluntary Projects scheme
• Provide evidence that if he is accommodated throughout the stay by the host entity, the accommodation meets the conditions as required by law
• Flight ticket for entry and exit out of Malta. 

Young volunteers who are either EU nationals or Third Country Nationals legally resident in the EU, are covered by the provisions of Regulation (EC) 883/2004.  Persons coming to Malta to complete a period of voluntary work shall provide document A1 issued by the Member State which is competent to determine the relative insurability position. The A1 document exempts the person from social security obligations in Malta.