Sheet 4 - Authorization of long-term stay for participation in a volunteer program

* The content of this page is for guidance only. Only the provisions of the regulations in force at the time of submission of the application are applicable. 

Last Updated: May 2025

Index of contents 

  • Type of Authorization
  • Basic regulations
  • Requirements
  • Exigible documentation
  • Procedure
  • Extension of the authorization of long-term stay for participation in a volunteer program

TYPE OF AUTHORISATION 

It is an authorization that entitles you to stay in Spain for a period greater than ninety days for the provision of a volunteer service within a program that pursues objectives of general interest for a non-profit cause in which the activities are not remunerated except in the form of reimbursement of expenses, pocket money or both.  

Volunteering service means activities carried out by legally constituted volunteering entities and registered in the registers established by the competent authorities within the framework of the existing volunteering programmes according to the sectoral regulations applicable in Spain, as well as those carried out within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps.

BASIC REGULATIONS 

  • Directive (EU) 2016/801, of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, internships, volunteering, pupil exchange programmes or educational projects and au pair placement.
  • Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 25 bis and 33).
  • Royal Decree 1155/2024, of 19 November, approving the Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 34 to 36 and 25 to 58).

REQUIREMENTS 

  • Not to be a citizen of a State of the European Union, of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or a family member of citizens of these countries to which the regime of citizen of the Union applies.
  • Not to be found irregularly in Spanish territory.
  • Not to appear as rejectable in the territorial space of the countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in this regard.
  • Do not pose a threat to public order, safety or public health. 

  • Certify not to suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

  • Have sufficient economic means to cover the costs of stay and return to their country.
  • To have a health insurance concluded with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain, with benefits similar to those granted by the basic common portfolio of care services of the National Health System.
  • In the event that the duration of the stay exceeds six months and is older, have no criminal record in Spain and in the previous countries of residence during the last five years, for crimes existing in the Spanish legislation.
  • Pay the fee for the processing of the procedure.
  • Have been admitted to perform a voluntary service within the framework of an agreement signed with the entity in charge of the voluntary programme, which includes a description of the programme, of the functions and conditions of supervision, of the activities foreseen therein and of the conditions for performing it, as well as the duration of the same, the hours of voluntary work to be performed, the resources available to cover their maintenance and accommodation during their stay, a minimum amount of pocket money during that stay, and, where appropriate, the training that the foreign person will receive in order to carry out the voluntary programme.
  • That the volunteering entity is legally constituted and registered in the competent registry in accordance with the regulations of the State, Autonomous Region or another Member State of the European Union of application.

EXIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION 

Note: in general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be displayed at the time of submitting the application. 

  • Application form in official model (EX – 00) duly completed and signed by the foreign person or his legal representative in case of being a minor.  
  • Passport in force or travel title, recognized as valid in Spain, with a minimum validity of one year.
  • Documentation proving to have the necessary economic means for the period requested and for the return to the country of origin.
  • In the case of being minors, authorization of parents or guardians that includes the center, organization, entity and agency responsible for the activity and the period of stay planned.

  • Documentation accrediting the availability of medical insurance

  • Medical certificate certifying that none of the diseases with an impact on public health of the International Health Regulations 2005 is present.
  • If the duration of the stay is more than six months and the person is over the age of a criminal offence, a criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin or of the country in which he or she has resided for the last five years.
  • Agreement signed with the entity in charge of the volunteer program with the above requirements. 
  • proof of payment of the fee. 

Important note: when documents are provided from other countries they must be translated into Spanish or co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted by a sworn translator.  

List of sworn translators.

On the other hand, any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which the document has been issued or, where appropriate, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation except in the case where the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless the document is exempt from legalization under the International Convention.

Information on translation and legalization of documents. 

PROCEDURE 

  • Sujeto legitimado para presentar la solicitud: la persona extranjera, personalmente o a través de un representante. If you are a minor, your parents, guardians or duly accredited representative, personally.

Information sheet on legitimated subjects. 

  • Place of presentation:  
  • In person, in the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office in whose demarcation the foreign person resides.
  • Corresponding fee for issuance of the visa: it must be paid at the time of applying for the visa.
  • Term of resolution of the application and issuance of the visa: one month from the day following the date of submission of the application to the competent Consular Office for processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having made the notification, it may be understood that the application has been rejected by administrative silence. (When it has not been possible to notify the resolution it will be announced in the Single Edictal Board (TEU). If you have opted for electronic notification or are legally obliged to use that medium, the resolution will be notified by publication in the electronic headquarters. If the resolution is not accessed within ten calendar days of its publication, it will be given as notified). 
  • The visa granted must be collected within two months of notification. If the collection is not carried out within the aforementioned period, it will be understood that the interested party has waived the visa granted and the procedure will be filed.
  • The duration of the stay granted will be equal to that of the volunteer service to be carried out with the maximum limit of one year.
  • In the event that the long-term stay is longer than six months, the foreign person must personally request the alien identity card at the competent police station or police services in his/her place of residence.

The documentation to be provided in the application for the alien identity card can be consulted at the following link:

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/34 

 

EXTENSION OF THE LONG-STAY AUTHORISATION FOR THE PROVISION OF A VOLUNTARY SERVICE

During the two months previous or three months subsequent to the date of expiration of the validity of the authorization, the person holding the authorization may request an extension when he certifies the continuation of the volunteer service.

PROCEDURE

  • Subject entitled to submit the application: The foreign person, personally or through representation.
  • Place of presentation:
    • Telematically, through the electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory (Mercurio). By electronic means, and it will be directed to the office of foreigners of the province where it obtained the initial authorization, accompanying the following documentation:
      • Passport or travel title in force.
      • Documentation accrediting to continue in the provision of the volunteer service under the same conditions.
      • Documentation accrediting the availability of health insurance.
      • Proof of payment of the fee.
  • Time limit for the resolution of the application:one month from the day following the date on which it entered the register of the competent body for processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having made the notification, it may be understood that the application has been rejected by administrative silence. (When it has not been possible to notify the resolution, it will be announced on the Single Edictal Board (TEU). If you have opted for electronic notification or are legally obliged to use that medium, the resolution will be notified by publication in the electronic headquarters. If the resolution is not accessed within ten calendar days of its publication, it will be given as notified).
  • Duration of the extension: will coincide with the duration of the volunteer service with a limit of one year.
  • An extension may be requested on one occasion only.
  • Within one month of notification, the foreign person must personally apply for the alien identity card at the competent police station or police services in his/her place of residence.