International Volunteers

We welcome foreign nationals who want to be Includers, but complex rules apply.

International Volunteers

Citizens from European Union & EEA

All citizens from EU and EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) are automatically allowed to volunteer in Denmark – so don’t hesitate, sign up as an Includer now!

International students in Denmark

When you are studying at a university in Denmark, you automatically have a valid work permit that allows you to volunteer.

If you are studying at a lower educational level, such as youth education, traineeship, basic training or others, you do NOT have a valid work permit, and therefore, you must apply for a work permit under the same conditions as citizens from outside of EU/EAA.

Citizens from outside of EU/EEA

Citizens from outside of EU/EEA contruies must apply for a valid work permit in Denmark or Sweden to volunteer at Copenhagen 2021. This includes citizens of the United Kingdom.

To be an Includer in Denmark

SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, has published a guide on applying for a work permit to volunteer in Denmark.

It can take up to three months to apply for a permit and receive a decision, so if you need a permit please apply as soon as possible. There is no fee for applying for the permit.

To be an Includer in Sweden

Migrationsverket is the Swedish Migration Agency, and they have published a guide on how to apply for a permit to volunteer in Sweden. The website states that applications are usually dealt with within two weeks.

UK citizens

As the UK has withdrawn from the European Union, the rules above for ‘Citizens from outside of EU/EEA’ apply to UK citizens.

Working Holiday Agreement

If you are between the age of 18 and 31 (36 for Canadians) and from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea you can apply for a Working Holiday Agreement – and this will also provide you with the opportunity to volunteer. However, please note that the processing time for an application is up to three months.

The agreement means that you, as a young citizen from one of these countries, can be granted a permit to stay in Denmark for up to one year. Learn more here.

More information?

If you need more information about volunteering guidelines for international citizens you can read more here or at SIRI.

If you need more information about being an Includer at Copenhagen 2021 please click here, and if you want to sign up, then click here!

Main image: Andreas Paulsson

If you are not sure, please visit the website of your country's embassy in Denmark.

Includer Handbook

The Includer Handbook contains lots of useful information on being an Includer at Copenhagen 2021.

Download:

Partners and Sponsors

See the full list of Partners and Sponsors