Application
The voluntary social year begins on March 1st or September 1st of each year. You must apply 6 months in advance. For your application you need:

• Application form of theDiakonie Württemberg
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Passport photo
• Proof of your German language skills (level A2 or B1)

You can also include a letter of recommendation.
apply online here

Visa
You need a visa to enter Germany. You apply for this in your home country, either at the German embassy or the German consulate. Important: the visa must be specifically for the Voluntary Social Year. To apply for a visa you need:

• passport
• CV
• a letter (motivation letter) explaining why you want to do a voluntary social year and what you plan to do afterwards.
• a signed agreement on voluntary service

You also have to state how much money you earn per month.

Knowledge of German
It is important that you have basic knowledge of German. You should be able to communicate in German and hold simple conversations. This corresponds to an A2 to B1 certificate, which you can obtain from the Goethe Institute, the DSH or from telc.

School leaving certificate/qualification
You do not need a specific school leaving certificate. However, it is important that you are motivated and want to get involved in social activities.

Introduction days/Welcome Days
At the beginning of your volunteer service, there are introductory days with our partners. You will receive a warm welcome and all the important information for your life in Germany. You will also get to know many other volunteers from Germany and all over the world.

Holiday
During your voluntary social year you have 30 days of holiday per year.

Health insurance
In Germany it is important that you have health insurance. If you do a voluntary social year, your health, accident, pension and unemployment insurance will be paid for. This means that if you get sick, you don't need to worry because the health insurance company will cover the costs of treatment and medication. It will also pay if you have to stay in hospital.

Vaccination
For many jobs you need a measles vaccination (e.g. in hospitals, helping people with disabilities, or working with children and young people).

School leaving certificate/qualification
To start an apprenticeship in Germany, you need an intermediate school leaving certificate (Realschulabschluss). This means that you must have successfully completed secondary school in order to be able to apply for an apprenticeship.

Recognition of school leaving certificate
If you did not complete your school leaving certificate in Germany, your certificate must be recognized here. This is a prerequisite for you to be able to apply for training. In our state, the Stuttgart Regional Council is responsible for recognition.
to the website Recognition of certificates and qualifications from abroad

Knowledge of German
It is also important that you have a good knowledge of German. You should have reached B2 level and can present certificates from the Goethe Institute, the DSH or from telc. These certificates confirm your language skills and show that you are able to communicate in German.

Training
Training to become a nursing professional is a mixture of theory and practice. In the vocational school you learn the theoretical basics for your profession. You are in a class with 25 to 30 other students. You complete the practical work in the senior citizens' center where you are doing your training. This is your training company. You complete about half of your training at school (45%) and the other half in your job (55%).

Duration of training
Training to become a nursing professional usually lasts three years. It can start at different times. The start date is determined by the vocational school.

Application
If you are interested in training, you must apply. To do this you need:

• a resume listing your qualifications and experience
• recognition of your school leaving certificate
• proof of your German language skills (level B2).

If we accept your application, you will receive a contract.
apply online here.

Entry/Visa
You need a visa to enter Germany. You apply for this in your home country, either at the German embassy or the German consulate. To apply for a visa you need:

• Contract for a training position in Germany
• your passport and
• Proof of your German language skills

You also have to pay fees (around 100 euros). Please bring all the documents with you. Please arrange your entry visa in good time so that you arrive in Germany on time for your training.

Plane ticket
You need a plane ticket for your trip to Germany. If you come to Zieglerschen through our partner projects - for example in India, Kosovo, Bosnia or Armenia - your journey will be organized by the partners. If you travel to Germany individually, you will have to take care of your own travel.

Bank account
If you want to live in Germany for a longer period of time, you need a German bank account (checking account). To open the account, you need your passport, your residence permit and a registration certificate. We will help you with this.

Health insurance
In Germany it is important that you have health insurance. We will help you register with a German health insurance company. This means that if you get sick, you don't need to worry because the health insurance company will cover the costs of treatment and medication. It will also pay if you have to stay in hospital.

Degree/Qualification
To work as a nurse in Germany, you need a professional qualification as a geriatric nurse or health and nursing professional.

Recognition of qualifications
If you did not get your qualifications in Germany, they must be recognized here. In our state, the Stuttgart Regional Council is responsible for this. If your qualifications are equivalent to German qualifications, everything is fine. If they are not recognized, you can take a knowledge test or an adaptation course.
to the website Recognition of foreign qualifications

Knowledge of German
It is also important that you have a good knowledge of German. You should have reached B2 level and can present certificates from the Goethe Institute, the DSH or from telc. These certificates confirm your language skills and show that you are able to communicate in German.

Application
For your application in Germany you need a CV, a letter of motivation and proof of your German language skills. You can apply online here.

Visa
You need a visa to enter Germany. You apply for this in your home country, either at the German embassy or the German consulate. To apply for a visa you need:

• a specific job offer from Germany or a valid employment contract
• your passport and
• Proof of recognized university or vocational school qualifications.
• Proof of your German language skills

You also have to pay fees (around 100 euros). Please arrange your entry visa in good time so that you arrive in Germany on time.

Plane ticket
You need a plane ticket for your trip to Germany. If you come to Zieglerschen through our partner projects - for example in India, Kosovo, Bosnia or Armenia - your journey will be organized by the partners. If you travel to Germany individually, you will have to take care of your own travel.

Bank account
If you want to live in Germany for a longer period of time, you need a German bank account (checking account). To open the account, you need your passport, your residence permit and a registration certificate. We will help you with this.

Health insurance
In Germany it is important that you have health insurance. We will help you register with a German health insurance company. This means that if you get sick, you don't need to worry because the health insurance company will cover the costs of treatment and medication. It will also pay if you have to stay in hospital.