Cumplir los requisitos es el primer paso para empezar a generar impacto. Imagen: Maat Impact.
Quick Summary
Everything you need to know about volunteering in Spain: minimum age, required documentation, criminal record, selection process, and special requirements depending on the type of activity. Updated guide for 2026.
Do you want to volunteer in Spain but aren’t sure exactly what you need? Are you wondering if there’s an age limit, if you’ll be asked to provide special documentation, or if your criminal record matters?
The answers depend in part on the type of volunteer work, the organization, and the profile of the beneficiaries. This guide covers all possible scenarios so you’ll know exactly what you need before taking the plunge.
Minimum Legal Requirements
Legal Capacity
The first requirement to volunteer is having legal capacity to act. This means not being legally incapacitated from making decisions for yourself. In practice, this only excludes people under full legal guardianship who cannot exercise their rights on their own.
Age of Majority
The general rule is that you must be at least 18 years old to volunteer independently. Minors may participate in certain programs, but only with the express authorization of their parents or legal guardians and under the supervision of responsible adults.
Some youth volunteer programs are specifically designed for individuals 16 years of age or older with parental consent. In corporate volunteering, since participants are employees, the age of majority is an implicit requirement.
Absence of Legal Prohibitions
Certain criminal convictions may result in specific prohibitions on engaging in certain volunteer activities. The most relevant is a restriction on working with or interacting with minors, which prevents volunteering with children and adolescents.
Criminal Record: Is It Required?
Working with Minors: Yes, It Is Required
If the volunteer work involves regular contact with minors under the age of 18 (tutoring, educational activities, camps, direct care), the organization is legally required to request a Certificate of Sex Offenses from the Central Registry of Convicted Offenders. This requirement has been in effect since Organic Law 1/1996 and its subsequent amendments.
It is not discretionary: an organization that does not require it is liable for legal consequences. Any volunteer who will be working with minors must provide this certificate without exception.
Working with Vulnerable Populations
For volunteer work with vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, dependent older adults, people with mental health conditions), many organizations also require a general criminal record check or a certificate of sexual offenses, although this is not always legally required. It is a best practice that protects both the beneficiaries and the organization itself.
General Volunteering: Recommended but Not Always Required
For volunteering that does not involve contact with vulnerable groups (environmental work, fundraising, events), there is no legal obligation to provide a criminal record check. However, many organizations request it nonetheless as a due diligence measure.
How to Obtain a Criminal Record Certificate
You can request it free of charge from the Ministry of Justice, either online through its electronic portal (using an electronic ID or Cl@ve) or in person at the Regional Offices. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days. There is no cost to the citizen if it is for volunteer work.
Required Documentation
ID Card or Foreigner Identification Number (NIE)
Anyone who volunteers in Spain must prove their identity with a DNI (Spanish citizens) or NIE (foreign residents). For EU citizens, a passport is also valid. The organization has the right to verify the identity of its volunteers and to keep a copy of the documentation.
Medical Certificate (if applicable)
For certain physically demanding volunteer activities (civil protection, mountain activities, emergency volunteer work), some organizations require a medical certificate of physical fitness. This is not a general requirement, but rather one specific to programs involving high physical risk.
References
Although not legally required, many volunteer organizations—especially those working with vulnerable groups—request references from previous volunteer or employment positions. This is standard practice for programs involving a high level of responsibility.
Training and Experience
Volunteering Without Prior Experience
The vast majority of volunteer programs are open to people with no prior volunteer experience. Motivation, availability, and attitude are valued more highly than a track record. You don’t have to have volunteered before to start volunteering.
Initial Training: Almost Always Required
Law 45/2015 stipulates that volunteer organizations must provide initial training to their volunteers. This training covers the organization’s values and methodology, operating protocols, safety and privacy regulations, and the context of the beneficiaries.
In corporate volunteering, this training is usually part of the program’s onboarding process and takes place during work hours provided by the company.
Specialization (skills-based)
For professional skills-based volunteering, the organization may require credentials or demonstrable experience in the required area of expertise. If a foundation is seeking a volunteer for legal counsel, it is reasonable to require that the volunteer hold a law degree and have professional experience.
Selection Process
Interview
Most well-structured volunteer organizations conduct an interview (in person or via video call) to assess the candidate’s motivation, actual availability, and whether their profile aligns with the program’s needs. It is not a test: it is a conversation to ensure that the match works for both parties.
Trial Period
Many programs include a trial period (usually 1–3 months) during which both the volunteer and the organization assess whether the relationship is working. At the end of this period, both parties can decide to continue, modify the role, or end the volunteer’s participation without any consequences.
Minimum Age and Restrictions
Minors in Volunteer Work
Minors under the age of 18 may volunteer with written permission from their parents or legal guardians. Starting at age 16, some programs allow for greater autonomy, though always under adult supervision. For international or long-term volunteering, most organizations require volunteers to be of legal age.
No Maximum Age Limit
There is no maximum age limit for volunteering in Spain. Retirees who want to contribute actively, senior professionals who bring their expertise, or older adults seeking to maintain social connections—all are welcome. In many programs, older volunteers bring invaluable experience and maturity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to volunteer in Spain?
The basic requirements are: being of legal age (or having parental consent for those under 18), a DNI or NIE, actual availability to participate, and a willingness to undergo initial training. For work with minors or vulnerable groups, a criminal background check is also required.
Is a criminal background check required to volunteer?
It is only legally required when the volunteer work involves regular contact with minors under 18. For all other activities, it is not a legal requirement, although many organizations request it as a matter of best practice.
What are a volunteer’s rights in Spain?
According to Law 45/2015: the right to clear information about their role, accident insurance, civil liability coverage, reimbursement of reasonable expenses, initial training, the right to withdraw without reprisals, and protection against discrimination. See the complete guide at: What a Volunteer Should NOT Do: Rights and Legal Limits.
Are you looking for corporate volunteering opportunities for your employees?
Maat Impact connects companies with verified NGOs and manages the entire process: selection, onboarding, training, tracking hours, and measuring impact.