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Memorial service, peace service and social service abroad

General information

The memorial, peace and social service combines educational and career orientation elements. It is also an important form of social engagement and serves the common good as well as personal development.

The objectives of the memorial, peace and social service abroad are in particular:

  • deepening of previous school education;
  • personal development;
  • broadening and applying knowledge in order to acquire skills for social occupational fields,
  • vocational orientation;
  • strengthening social skills;
  • promoting the social commitment of the participants; and
  • becoming familiar with the work at the placement location.

The specific aim of the memorial service is to promote remembrance of the victims of National Socialism and to raise awareness and educate people about this period of history. Specific aims of the peace and social service abroad also include contributing to the economic and social development of a country and to securing peace.

Suitable areas of work include:

  • education and awareness-raising;
  • scientific research and background analysis;
  • child and youth care;
  • social and disability support;
  • support for victims of violence;
  • support for refugees and displaced persons;
  • support for homeless people, elderly people and hospitals;
  • participation in the establishment or restoration of infrastructure;
  • measures in the environmental sector and to promote sustainability;
  • participation in social work with affected population groups; and
  • participation in teaching in schools and training workshops and in adult education.

The framework conditions essentially correspond to those of the Voluntary Social Year:

Hinweis

The framework conditions essentially correspond to those of the Voluntary Social Year.

Minimum age

In principle, you can complete a voluntary social year from the age of 17. In exceptional cases, participation at a younger age is also possible if you are particularly suitable. Whether you are particularly suitable is determined on the basis of your application, an admission interview and a selection seminar.

Duration

Voluntary service abroad may only be completed once. The duration is limited to a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months.

Pocket money

The organisation is responsible for paying participants a monthly allowance. This amounts to between 10 and 100 per cent of the marginal earnings threshold marginal.

Family allowance

Under the Familienlastenausgleichsgesetz (Family Burdens Equalisation Act), family allowance for children of full age is generally only granted if they are in vocational training. There is a special provision for memorial, peace and social service, which guarantees the granting of family allowance until the age of 24.

Health, accident and pension insurance

Participants in a voluntary service abroad are covered by health, accident and pension insurance under the ASVG (General Social Insurance Act).

Credit towards civilian service

Ten months of continuous participation in a voluntary service abroad can be credited towards regular civilian service under the Freiwilligengesetz (Volunteer Act).

Hinweis

More detailed information can be obtained from Freiwilligenweb (BMASGPK)German text, the central portal for voluntary work in Austria, in accordance with the Freiwilligengesetz (Voluntary Work Act).

The opportunity to perform commemorative, peace or social service abroad is also open to citizens from other EU Member States. More detailed information about this can be obtained directly from the approved institutions – Freiwilligenweb portal for voluntary work (BMASGPK)German text – or from the expert advisor of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK)German text.

Letzte Aktualisierung: 06/02/2026
Für den Inhalt verantwortlich: Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
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