Volunteer in Spain

Volunteer Work in Spain

Hola! Que Tal? Volunteers with a heart for animals or children will find unique Spanish volunteer opportunities in this touristic hotspot. With its unique cultural flair, breathtaking nature, and historical heritage, it’s no wonder, millions of people flock to Spain every year. Experience this incredible country that seems to offer everything from idyllic islands to dramatic mountains. Those eager to support a meaningful cause can combine this with exploring one of Europe’s most coveted destinations. Volunteer for a project in wildlife conservation or work in childcare while you adapt to the Spanish way of life. Bring on the tapas and take that siesta while you indulge in your Spanish adventure!

Volunteer projects in Spain focus mainly on wildlife and animal conservation. Volunteers who are excited about working with marine life or horses are in for a real treat. Those excited about working with kids will also find a project where they can make a difference. Volunteering in Spain may require you to refresh your Spanish skills to make the experience even more worthwhile. Applying for a program in Spain is a great opportunity for European volunteers who don’t want to travel too far or for all volunteers excited to explore Spanish culture and brush up on their Spanish language skills.

Before we go into more detail about the different volunteer projects in Spain, let’s get to know this touristic hotspot a little better. Here are a few facts about Spain you may not have known:

• According to UNWTO, Spain is the second most popular tourist destination in the whole world.
• Did you know that Spain has 47 sites that belong to Unesco World Heritage and is, therefore, the country with the 3rd highest number of Unesco World Heritage sites?
• Spain has one of the world’s highest life expectancy rates and is the country with the highest life expectancy by 2040.
• If you want to volunteer abroad to brush up on your Spanish skills, that’s a great idea. Spanish is the 2^nd most widely spoken language in the world.

🇪🇸 Why Volunteer in Spain?

When you think of volunteer work, Spain might not be the first country that comes to mind. We often forget that developed countries also have their struggles.

Spain is a country blessed with breathtaking nature and its islands are home to some of the most spectacular marine wildlife. Volunteers eager to contribute to wildlife or marine conservation will find interesting opportunities on both the Spanish mainland and the islands.

There’s a big challenge ahead to protect and support wildlife populations due to environmental challenges. These are the areas you can make a significant impact as a volunteer in Spain:

• Children’s education (teaching English and other skills)
• Marine and Wildlife Conservation
• Horse Sanctuary

Spain offers amazing volunteer programs especially if you’re a horse lover or inspired by the underwater world. Support Spain and discover a country that ticks all the boxes.

👩🏽‍🏫 How to Volunteer for Education in Spain

Just because Spain is a developed country belonging to the European Union, doesn’t mean they don’t need your help. Despite its level of development, poor communities and their children still aren’t receiving the education and support they deserve. Luckily, there are programs that are dedicated to improving child education for those less fortunate and offer children a safe environment to learn and develop. Volunteers who have a background in education will be an asset to this program. This is a list of some of the tasks you may have during a program in education and childcare:

• Creating an activity-based learning environment for children
• Helping primary and high school students with their homework
• Teaching the English language
• Playing games with the kids
• Organizing all kinds of workshops, sports or cultural activities
• Serving as role models and mentors and be an international friend for the children
• Contributing to creating a support network for marginal neighborhoods

👨🏽‍🏫 How to Volunteer and Teach English in Spain

If you volunteer in Spain for a child care or a youth support project, this is a great opportunity to also teach English. English skills in Spain are still a pain point although English skills incrementally increases people’s job prospects. If you have a knack for teaching and have good English skills, teach English in Spain and support the future of Spanish locals.

🐴 How to Volunteer with Horses in Spain

If you love horses, you will definitely find your community in Spain. There are a few horse sanctuary programs hidden in remote places like the mountains of Andalucia.

This is where you get to connect with horses on a profound level. If you’re intrigued about the psychology of horses and would like to learn more about how horses should be treated and trained, you’ll gain great insights during a horse volunteer program.

If you already know a thing or two about these noble creatures, even better. It’s great to have experienced volunteers on the team. We’re confident the program will shine a new light on horse care and training.

• Inspire horse lovers and owners through open days, project partnership programs and workshops
• Train the sanctuary's horses sympathetically, naturally, barefoot and bitless
• Promote good horse care by creating an enriched environment
• Raise awareness of the requirements for a happy, healthy, emotionally, and physically well-balanced horse.
• Be in a position to work with owners and their horses to explore and share knowledge of horse behavior and welfare

🐬 How to Volunteer for Wildlife Conservation in Spain

Spain has lush islands boasting some of the most intense natural terrains. Surrounding these islands is a rich marine life that is home to dolphins and whales. Who doesn’t dream of spotting a whale or a school of dolphins in the bright blue water of the Mediterranean sea?

If you’re concerned about the dwindling dolphin and whale population, support one of the conservation programs in Tenerife where your task will be to observe and gather data on these marine mammals. Nature lovers will be in their element during this volunteer opportunity as they experience the wonders of the world beneath the horizon.

🤿 How to Volunteer for Marine Conservation in Spain

If you are a beach lover and enjoy diving, this is your chance to discover everything about the Mediterranean’s biodiversity both above and below sea level. Help undo the environmental damage caused by excessive tourism and tune into nature during a marine conservation program. Help clean up the polluted beaches and seawater and protect Spain’s diverse marine life.

🤑 How Much Does it Cost to Volunteer in Spain?

The suggested budget for living in Spain as a volunteer is between US$ 42 and US$ 105. This is an estimate made considering the local average price of some of the goods and services you may need. It gives you an overview of how much things cost in Spain so you can prepare accordingly. Because your accommodation is generally provided by the organization, your living expenses may be a bit lower.

Once you have contacted the coordinator of the project, you will have a better understanding of the daily expenses and how much you will need to make things work during the volunteer program.

Additional costs you should consider will be:

• program fees
• flight tickets (find cheap flights to Spain)
• travel insurance (find your travel insurance)
• fees for your visa
• personal expenses

An exemplary overview of living costs in Spain (in US$, for one person) is:

Hotel

$n.a.

Big Mac

$n.a.

Coca-Cola

$1.96

Eating out

$11.45

Rental Car

$n.a.

Hostel

$26.00

Marlboro

$5.72

Beer

$2.28

Fuel

$1.44

Public Transport

$1.60

💲 Can I Volunteer in Spain for Free?

There aren’t any free volunteer opportunities in Spain on our platform. You can use our filter option to indicate your budget and search for voluntary work in Spain that is within your budget. Our live chat team is happy to help you with this.

Keep in mind that many free volunteer opportunities don’t include accommodation. You would need to arrange this yourself which could turn out to be more expensive than applying for a paid program where accommodation is included. The majority of paid volunteer programs on our platform include accommodation. You can find out what exactly is included in each program by checking the program details.

💡 Good to Know Before Volunteering in Spain

Before embarking on your volunteer trip to Spain, there may be a few cultural aspects to take into account. It’s always a good idea to learn about the precautions you might need to take when volunteering abroad. The following list will help you with that:

• The Spanish eat no earlier than 1:30 PM for lunch, they will generally eat after 2 PM, and they will not have dinner before 9 PM. Dining out on the weekend can begin at 10 PM or even later.
• Outside of major cities, most shops close in the afternoons from 2 to 5, when shopkeepers go home to eat the main meal of the day and snooze for a while. It’s best to work this into your plans.
• Although Spanish people’s language skills have improved the past couple of years, it’s good to know a few words of Spanish just when you’re traveling to smaller towns.

🦺 Is it Safe to Volunteer in Spain?

Make sure to read up on the safety advice your government has for tourists. Most projects are in relatively safe areas but it is important to use common sense at all times, especially in major cities.

Here are some safety tips you might want to follow during your volunteer work in Spain:

• Keep your personal belongings and important travel documents with you at all times! It also makes sense to bring attested photocopies of these documents, in case you lose them!
• If you are going out, do not take a lot of money, jewelry, or other fancy possessions with you. Take only the money you will need, Spain is infamous for pickpockets!
• If you go to bars, do not leave your drink unattended.
• Driving can be unsettling for those who aren’t used to the fast pace of the traffic.
• Certain Spanish cities among other European cities have been targeted by terrorist organizations. Travelers are advised to monitor local news.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Spain.

Health Advice

Being a developed country, it’s unlikely that travelers or volunteers will fall ill during their trip and volunteer program in Spain. It is advisable to take the following precautions:

• Plan for how you will get health care during your stay. Get travel insurance and bring along any medicine that you may require.
• Spain can get very hot in the summer, make sure you bring the necessary sunscreen.

Packing Essentials

Knowing what to pack will take away some of the anxiety you may have regarding your adventure abroad. It is always a good idea to ask the project coordinator of Spanish volunteer opportunities regarding what volunteers should bring along.

• Make sure you bring essential travel documents, like passport, travel medical insurance information, and visa, Also keep photocopies or scanned copies of these.
• Always carry sunscreen with you and make sure you cover up during the hottest times of the day.
• Keep enough cash with you! A money belt could be a good idea.
• Carry luggage with you that will make your trip easier. Opt for daypacks or backpacks and lightweight bags.
• Pack appropriate clothing and shoes!
• Don't forget to bring locks for hostel lockers and your luggage!

🤷🏽‍♀️ Who Can Volunteer in Spain?

Different projects require different skills and abilities from their volunteers. You can find the specific requirements for each program on their program page. This is a great opportunity to learn a new language and volunteer in Spanish. In the meantime, here are some general requirements that apply to most volunteer opportunities in Spain:

• You need to be at least 18 years old for most of the volunteer projects abroad unless you are volunteering with your parents or a guardian. When in doubt, we advise you to contact the local project manager because some programs accept volunteers from the age of 16 years.
• You need to have English skills to join most volunteer projects. It could be very helpful to speak a few words of Spanish too. To volunteer in Spanish is an excellent way to improve your language skills.
• Depending on the project you're interested in, you may need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration before volunteering.

🙋🏽‍♀️ How Can I Volunteer in Spain?

Are you ready to volunteer in Spain but not quite sure how to get started? Take a look at the following 3 steps that will prepare you for your volunteer work in Spain and an unforgettable adventure abroad:

• Check whether there’s a match between you and the Spanish volunteer opportunity by looking at their requirements.
• Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it’s a place you’re excited about traveling to.
• Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and schedules match up. If you want to volunteer in Spain for a week or for a longer period of time, check the project descriptions for more details.

Insurance (Health & Travel)

We recommend all our volunteers to get both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for most programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person in Spain to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

🛂 Do I need a Visa to Volunteer in Spain?

Visa, Passport, and Documentation

• Look into the visa requirements for Spain in your country. If you are from the European Union, traveling is very easy.
• Make sure you have a valid passport considering the requirements of the immigration department in Spain.
• Prepare the correct documents for the visa application.

And that’s it! You’re ready for your unforgettable international volunteering adventure. Commit to an exciting program and get ready to fall in love with the Spanish way of life as you contribute to community service in Spain, and protect its breathtaking wildlife and environment.