Volunteer in Spain

A Spain volunteer experience is a truly unforgettable way to explore the rich and diverse local culture as well as travelling with a difference. Whether volunteering abroad for the first time or as a returning VolSol alumnus, we can help kickstart your volunteering journey in Spain today! If you’re looking to make a lasting impact on our volunteer programs in Spain and truly become a global citizen, our teams are ready for you to get in touch and help find the perfect volunteering opportunity for you. 

The ‘how’ in how to volunteer abroad in Spain is a pretty simple process that our team can guide you through. The hard part is choosing a program that you want to get involved in! Our Spain volunteer programs offer a breadth of opportunities to work with those in need of the support and contributions you can offer. 

Volunteer travel in Spain has never been easier with VolSol. We have two different volunteer organisations in Spain for you to get involved with and make a difference! Our first project is the Community Development Project in Barcelona, where you will work with a local NGO to help uplift the local community from issues caused by poverty and inaccessible public services. There are different circles of interest in which the project works: administration, marketing, human resources, maintenance, workshops, work with children, art and customer service, all of which are made up of volunteers. 

Are you passionate about saving the environment and keeping the oceans clean? We have the perfect project for you! Our Underwater Conservation program might be just the one for you. While Barcelona is a bustling metropolis, it still has much marine and wildlife that must be looked after! City life doesn't always mix well with nature. You will live and volunteer with the Catalan federation of scuba diving and work with scientific programs that take part in various forms of marine preservation in mediterranean waters.These range from survey dives to identification dives and may include photography of fish and various forms of life. Volunteers will take part in the eradication of the trash, the data collection of various native species and the assessment of the local biodiversity in relation with.

Have we piqued your interest? Good! Are you ready to get started? Even better! Volunteering in Spain is only a few clicks away; choose your program, click ‘Apply Now’, complete the registration process, and let us take care of the rest. Get in touch with us today for more information on how we can make your volunteering experience in Spain unforgettable. 

Volunteering Solutions offers a wide range of programs in over 25 destinations worldwide. In the last 17 years, we have placed over 21,000 international volunteers across various projects and internships, helping them grow personally and professionally while making a difference to the world at large. We’ve hosted teen volunteering groups as well as gap year travellers, youth volunteers as well as family volunteering groups across various destinations.

Not only do we have our experience, but we have many accreditations that attest to our excellence in the field as well as our legitimacy as a volunteering experience coordinator. We are approved by WYSE Work Abroad, Go Overseas, and many other accreditors for volunteering abroad organisations. 

We have a dedicated team that ensures that volunteers have a smooth and memorable experience, learning from their peers along the way. From the moment you inquire, through the process of clearing doubts, filling out the application, making payments, accessing the Pre-Departure Guidebook, and reaching the volunteering location followed by Program Orientation – our team supports you every step of the way. We have in-country coordinators and representatives to assist you at the project sites.

Additionally, Volunteering Solutions offers various support services, including:

• Medical and travel insurance at a nominal extra cost
• Fundraising assistance for volunteers facing financial challenges
• Weekend excursions in Spain
• Local transportation and airport drop-offs for a minimal extra cost

Upon completing your project, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, which will significantly enhance your career prospects. This experience will boost your CV/resume and expand your social network. It’s a journey you’ll cherish forever.

Volunteering Solutions also provides tailor-made projects for group volunteering (students, colleagues, or families) where people can work together and explore Spain most uniquely.

The Iberian peninsula is full of charming towns and quaint villages alike, but their cities are equally as beautiful and captivating! Barcelona is the backdrop of where you will take centre-stage on your volunteering journey in Spain. 

Our projects are right in the heart of this vibrant and lively city, so you can really get to know what life is like in Barcelona. A city full of diverse and interesting people, you are sure to never be bored! Not only do the people make the place, but the seemingly endless supply of cultural and historical sites will ensure you’re never left with a minute devoid of anything to do! 

Its location on the coast also makes it a very attractive location to volunteer. The Costa Brava stretches from the French-Spanish border down to Barcelona and is famed for its golden sands and quaint fishing villages! Barceloneta beach is perhaps the most famous beach in Spain, and a must-see destination. During the warmer months, you can expect to see volleyball tournaments on the beach, as well as those lapping up the rays and enjoying the sunshine!

We have two fantastic programs for you to choose from. Both will allow you to make a significant and lasting impact on local communities out there. 

• Community Development Project in Barcelona
• Underwater Conservation, Barcelona

Think you could be a great addition to our team? Let us know if you fulfil the following requirements! 

- Be at least 16 years or older at the time of joining the project.

- Have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

- Should also be proactive and can take initiative.

- Should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

- Should be open to learning, and be friendly with everyone.

Apart from that, a Criminal Background Check Report is essential for volunteers who are joining Childcare, or Teaching programs. And you should be empathic towards the animals if you want to volunteer for wildlife conservation programs.

Our project prices start as low as £756 in Spain! This is what we include as standard: 

•  24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
•  Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
•  Pick up from the airport
•  Orientation 
•  Food (2-3 times a day)
•  Accommodation 
•  Travel & Medical Insurance (available at an extra cost)
• Certificate Of Completion

Like everywhere else around the world, volunteering in Spain comes for a minimal fee, which also covers your airport pickup, accommodation, and pre-departure booklet that contains all the information to get you started on your volunteering journey! Other than that, you'll also be provided with meals, pick up and drop from the project site to your accommodation, and most importantly, there will be 24/7 in-country support.

However, you can always fundraise to pay for your meaningful volunteer trip and experience the goodness of travelling abroad to make a difference.

We have been in the industry for over 17 years! Since our inception in 2007, we have sent over 21,000 volunteers to over 25 destinations across the world! We have much experience in providing unforgettable volunteering experiences across the world, and our excellence in the field is a testament to that!

We know what volunteers look for regarding safety and security during their stay. All of our accommodation is located in safe areas, with 24/7 support from VolSol staff. You will be provided with a full orientation about the country, the city, and the local area to ensure you are as best informed as you can be! 

Our pre-departure booklet provides comprehensive information about the do’s and don’ts of the area, and how best to respect the cultures and traditions of your destination of choice! 

Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest cities, so all amenities you can imagine would be at your doorstep! However, as such a popular holiday destination and centre of commerce, prices can be a little more expensive than what you might get at home! Make sure you double check everything before locking your suitcase. Here’s what we recommend taking along:

• A small bum bag to keep your valuables close by and handy when you’re walking around town and on the project! Nothing worse than having to hold your phone all the time. Make sure it zips shut, pickpockets in Barcelona are no joke!
• A small first aid kit with the essentials you need. Pharmacies and medication can be a little more expensive for the basics in Spain, so bringing along what you usually need can help cut costs! 
• A refillable water bottle. There are water points across the city, so you have no need to buy plastic water bottles!

Spain is beautiful any time of year, but the most popular time to visit Barcelona is in the late spring and summer. April to July is the ideal time, when the weather starts to improve and the sunshine doesn’t seem to end! 

If you prefer the warmer weather, summer is the perfect time for you. If you still want to enjoy cooler weather and the refreshing chill of a seaside breeze, spring would be the best time to go! Autumn and Winter bring their own charm as well, with many seasonal festivals taking place for you to get involved in!

However, Barcelona does suffer from over-tourism, and the summer months can be very busy with people, so if you prefer to live a little more like a local, you can enjoy the autumn, winter, and early spring in Barcelona! 

We welcome volunteers from all over the world and different walks of life! We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion can only make the world a better place. We want to champion global citizens with an international vision and a deep commitment to the betterment of our society. Our volunteers should be compassionate, enthusiastic about change, diligent, and open-minded. 

Our projects cater to group volunteering in Spain, as well as family volunteering groups, student volunteering, gap year travellers, as well as teenage travellers looking to expand their horizons. 

You can easily apply to volunteer in Spain and be a part of our mission trips by following a few simple steps. Once you have decided which program you wish to join, and in which destination, you can go ahead and fill out the application form here.

You will receive a welcome email from the team, acknowledging your application. We will then send your Booking Confirmation in 7-10 working days. Once you receive your Booking Confirmation you can log into your account to view your trip details and make your final payments.

If you can’t decide which program to join, or where to travel, you can always write to us at [email protected] - and our Program Advisors will assist you.

Before travelling to Spain, please ensure that you meet the following general requirements: 

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected return date.
• Ensure your passport has at least two blank pages for your visa and other necessary stamps upon arrival and departure.

Travellers from the EU do not need a visa and can stay indefinitely. Travellers from the Schengen area are allowed to stay for up to 90 days in a 180 day period without a visa. Nationals from other countries may need a visa, and you can check by clicking here! 

If you don’t have over two weeks to hand, you can still join our programs! Our Underwater Conservation program is available for a minimum duration of one week, and our Community Development project has a minimum duration of two weeks! 

You can join our short-term volunteering programs in Spain today, and extend your trip for up to a 24-week period! 

We can also assist in planning trips and other activities to fill your evenings and weekends!

With a maximum duration of 24 weeks, you’re more than welcome to join us for the best part of half a year! With such varied and engaging projects available to you, 4 weeks will feel like 4 days! 

Worried that you’ll find yourself bored after a while? We can assure you that there is no way this will happen, especially not in such a dynamic and busy city such as Barcelona! You can spend the evenings traversing the many criss-crossing streets, admiring Barcelona’s unrivalled city planning, as well as the non-stop nightlife! 

If you’re looking for something more outdoorsy and adventurous, Montserrat is easily accessible from the city, and you can enjoy endless picturesque views of the city below. You can go on hikes up and around the mountain, and visit the monastery there.

Of course, when you are travelling to a new country, it’s obvious that you’d want to explore and experience the area, making the most of your journey.

Spain has no dearth of places to visit and things to do, with a social community culture, as well as many landmarks and monuments for you to visit! Barcelona itself will provide you with endless opportunities to delve into the local culture and history. 

If you find yourself with an afternoon free, you can wander the grand halls of the many museums in Barcelona, and admire the masterpieces of some of the art world’s greatest figures.

Barcelona native Antoni Gaudí is world-renowned for his works and sculptures. Most famous of them all is the Sagrada Familia Church, a colossal and iconic part of the Barcelona skyline. Its construction began in the early 1900s, set to be completed in 2026! The behemoth of Spanish architecture and culture is a must-see. 

Park Guell should also make your list of must-see places in Barcelona, having also been designed by Gaudí. Enter for an unforgettable experience, admiring Gaudí’s sculptural works and in intriguing mosaic formations. 

Needing a well-deserved break and some relaxation? Look no further than Barceloneta beach! You can spend hours on this beach, sunning yourself and enjoying the good vibes from Barcelona’s most popular beach! The summertime here is truly magical, and you’ll feel just like a local.