VOLUNTEERING IN INDONESIA

To enter Indonesia, travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland generally need a Visa. For most stays, the Visa on Arrival (VoA) or the Electronic Visas on Arrival (e-VoA) used. This entitles the holder to a stay of up to 30 days and can usually extended once for an additional 30 days will be.

The type of visa you need for your volunteer work depends on the length of your stay and your project. Together with our local partners, we’ll review the current entry requirements and help you choose the right visa. You’ll receive all the important information well in advance of your departure.

If you are traveling to Indonesia directly from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, there are generally no mandatory vaccinations required. The only exception is if you have previously been in a yellow fever-endemic area. In that case, proof of a yellow fever vaccination may be required upon entry.

Before you begin your volunteer work, it’s a good idea to have your current vaccination status checked well in advance. Standard vaccinations—such as those against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and measles—should be up to date. In addition, for travel to Indonesia, a vaccination against Hepatitis A recommended. Depending on your project, your destination, and the length of your stay, you may also need vaccinations against Hepatitis B, typhoid fever, rabies or Japanese Encephalitis It may be a good idea, especially if you work in rural areas or have close contact with animals.

In addition to the recommended vaccinations, protection against mosquito bites also plays an important role. In Indonesia, diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and in some parts of the country Malaria Therefore, you should use insect repellent regularly during your stay, wear long-sleeved clothing whenever possible, and—especially in natural areas—sleep under a mosquito net.

It's best to seek personalized travel medicine advice a few weeks before your departure. That way, your vaccinations can be tailored to your volunteer project and itinerary.

The focus of your stay abroad.

If you decide to volunteer, you’ll actively participate in a social or environmental project and work alongside the local team to carry out important tasks on the ground. At the same time, you’ll gain an authentic insight into Indonesian culture, daily life, and the lives of the people there.

A Work & Travel program, on the other hand, focuses on combining travel with hands-on work. For example, you can work at a hostel or a diving school and receive room and board in exchange. The main goal here is to explore the country extensively, make international connections, and gain valuable experience abroad.

No matter which option you choose—both allow you to get to know Indonesia in a special way. Whether you want to contribute to a charitable cause or combine travel with hands-on work is entirely up to you and your personal interests. Of course, you can also combine volunteer work with a work-and-travel program.

Indonesia is a diverse travel destination with a well-developed tourism infrastructure in many parts of the country. Our volunteer projects are located in regions that are regularly visited by international travelers, where you will be supported by experienced local partners. Nevertheless, the German Federal Foreign Office, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs (BMEIA), and the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) recommend checking the current security situation before departure and during your stay. Non-essential travel to five of the six provinces in the Indonesian part of the island of New Guinea (Papua, Papua Barat, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah, and Papua Selatan) is discouraged.

To ensure you can enjoy your time in Indonesia without any worries, you should follow a few general guidelines. Keep important documents and valuables in a safe place, familiarize yourself with local conditions before going on excursions, and use reputable transportation providers whenever possible. Since Indonesia is located in a seismically active region, you should also always follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of volcanic activity, earthquakes, or extreme weather events.

As soon as you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our local contact person and given all the important information you need for your stay. Throughout your volunteer work, our on-site team will be available to assist you with any questions or challenges you may have. This way, you can focus entirely on your project and on Indonesia’s cultural and scenic highlights.

The program costs for volunteering in Indonesia depend on the project you choose and the length of your stay. The program fee typically covers organization, support from the local team, your accommodations, and, depending on the project, meals as well.

In addition, you should factor in the cost of your flight, international health insurance, and personal expenses during your trip. You can find details on what’s included in the description of each project.

Payment for your program fees is made in two steps. Once you've completed your booking, you'll receive all the important documents you need to prepare for your trip, including your confirmation of enrollment and invoice.

To secure your spot in the project, you must first pay a deposit of 10 %. The remaining balance is due no later than four weeks before your departure.

You'll find all payment information, deadlines, and details clearly laid out during the booking process and in your personal travel documents.

For many of our participants, traveling to Indonesia on their own is also the top choice. You’ll quickly be welcomed there and become part of an open-hearted community right from the start.

Depending on the project, you’ll live with other volunteers or directly in the project’s housing. This allows you to meet people from different countries right from the start and quickly make new friends.

During your assignment, you’ll work closely with the local team and other volunteers. Shared tasks and leisure activities make it easier to get to know each other and help you settle in quickly. At the same time, you’ll always have a local contact person who can assist you with any questions or concerns.

If you want to explore Indonesia on your own but don't want to miss out on a sense of community and support, volunteering offers the perfect combination.

With us, you can tailor your trip to Indonesia exactly to your preferences. Whether you want to extend your volunteer project, combine multiple programs, or continue traveling on your own afterward, all of this can be easily arranged.

Many of our participants use the time after their project assignment to explore other islands and regions of Indonesia. Breathtaking beaches, impressive volcanoes, dense rainforests, and a fascinating underwater world make the country an ideal destination for an extended vacation.

If you'd like to experience more of Indonesia after your project, it's easy to plan for additional travel time. This gives you the chance to explore the country at your own pace and take your adventure even further.

You can customize your trip entirely to your liking and combine different programs based on your interests. Instead of participating in just one project, you have the option to combine multiple assignments and plan your stay flexibly.

Many of our participants choose to complete different projects one after another—for example, in nature conservation and species protection or in a social project. Cross-country combinations are also possible at any time. If you’d like to travel for a longer period, you can easily extend your stay or add additional programs.

Between projects or after your assignment, you'll have plenty of time to explore Indonesia on your own. This way, you can discover the diversity of the archipelago, take in new sights, and tailor your trip exactly to your liking.

You can participate in our volunteer projects in Indonesia for a minimum of four weeks. This minimum duration has proven effective, as it creates the ideal conditions for a successful project assignment and an enriching experience abroad.

At the start of your stay, you’ll receive a comprehensive introduction to the project. You’ll get to know the team, familiarize yourself with daily routines, and receive guidance on your tasks. This intensive support is important so that you can quickly find your bearings and confidently participate in the day-to-day work of the project.

Only after this orientation period will you be able to contribute effectively and make a lasting impact on the project. At the same time, the project leaders will benefit from being able to count on your collaboration once you’ve completed your orientation.

A longer stay also offers many personal benefits. Over time, you’ll grow more comfortable in your new surroundings, make friends, and immerse yourself more and more in Indonesian culture and daily life. Many volunteers find this phase to be the most rewarding part of their stay.

In addition, there are numerous organizational expenses that arise even before your arrival and are required regardless of the length of your stay. For a longer assignment, these costs are spread out more evenly.

A longer stay also makes sense from an environmental perspective. Since travel to Indonesia usually involves a long-haul flight, a longer trip helps reduce the environmental impact.

For these reasons, our volunteer programs generally start at four weeks. This ensures the greatest possible benefit for the projects, the environment, and your personal experience in Indonesia.