International Volunteering in company (VIE)

Verified 02 December 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Do you want to carry out a VIE mission? This system allows you, under certain conditions, to carry out a mission (technical, commercial, support, etc.) abroad. You must be between 18 and 28 years old to register. You will be compensated. We present you the information to know.

A VIE mission is a civic service performed abroad.

The tasks entrusted concern in particular the following areas:

  • Technical
  • Commercial
  • Support (IT, human resources, communication, etc.).

You can perform a VIE mission with one of the following companies or organizations:

  • French company abroad
  • Foreign company linked to a French company by a partnership agreement.

You have to research your mission yourself.

Please note

You can extend your search to all French exporting companies.

Conditions to be fulfilled

You can be a volunteer if you fill in the 5 conditions following:

  • Credit memo between 18 and 28 years old on the date of application. Departure on mission shall take place no later than the 29the Anniversary. Beyond that, no waiver is granted.
  • Be French or a national of a country of the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Be in compliance with national service obligations (defense and citizenship day)
  • Enjoying civil rights and having a criminal record virgin
  • Fulfill the physical fitness requirements for persons carrying out similar activities in the host organization.

Please note

Specific skills may be required depending on the country of destination (e.g. knowledge of the language, professional experience, degree level).

Incompatibilities

The LIFE mission is not compatible with another activity (jobs, studies, company creation, etc.).

Only the production of scientific, literary or artistic works and teaching activities are authorized (subject to the agreement of the organization with which the VIE mission is carried out).

You can do an internship in VIE mission if it is a graduate internship.

You must meet the conditions to be a volunteer for a VIE mission.

Your university (or school) must agree.

The internship agreement must be adapted to the VIE system.

Documents to be prepared

You must prepare a RESUME.

If you are a French national or binational under 25 years of age, you must indicate your defense id number.

This number is communicated to you by the National Service Center at the time of your Defense and Citizenship Day (JDC).

If you have lost your JDC certificate of participation, you can request a duplicate at the national service center where you made your call day.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

If you have not performed your JDC, you must have you enumerated to your town hall and wait to be summoned by the national service center.

Registration

You must create your account on the site My International Volunteering, official website of international volunteering in company (VIE) or administration (VIA):

Finding an international volunteer mission in company (VIE) or administration (VIA)

At the end of your registration, you must create a username and password.

You receive a number (consisting of a V followed by 9 digits). Keep it, it will be useful for all your steps.

Search for a mission

You must log in to your account to view the assignment offers.

You can select the missions you are interested in, especially based on criteria following:

  • Occupation
  • Duration
  • Continents
  • Countries
  • Level of education.

Medical formalities

Once selected, you must undergo a medical examination.

You must provide a medical certificate declaring you fit for the mission.

You must also make the vaccinations required depending on your country of assignment.

A hard LIFE mission between 6 and 24 months.

It must take place at least 183 days a year abroad.

You are compensated (we are talking aboutlump-sum maintenance allowances, IFE).

You receive a fixed allowance and an additional geographical allowance depending on the country where you carry out your mission.

Fixed allowance

You receive a fixed monthly allowance in the amount of €772.87.

Your allowance is exempt from income tax.

No social security contributions are levied.

Your compensation is not subject to the CSG: titleContent and to the CRDS: titleContent.

Additional allowance

You also perceive a additional monthly allowance the amount depends on the country (and sometimes the city) of the mission.

It is calculated based on local living standards to cover your subsistence, equipment and housing needs.

The amount is adjusted every 3 months (based on exchange rate and cost of living developments in the mission country).

If your host company covers all or part of your accommodation, the allowance is reduced by 20%.

Your allowance is exempt from income tax.

No social security contributions are levied.

Your compensation is not subject to the CSG: titleContent and to the CRDS: titleContent.

Crisis situation

If you have to return to France due to a crisis situation in the country of your mission, you continue to receive your allowances.

You receive them in full for the first 30 days.

Then, the additional allowance is reduced until the end of your mission.

You are placed under the authority of the French Embassy of the country in which you are carrying out your mission.

Your return travel costs are covered.

This is also the case for your luggage (up to 150 kg).

Please note

If, for personal reasons, you wish to extend your stay at the end of your mission, you can benefit from a free return for a maximum of 3 months.

You are entitled to leave of absence for a period of 2.5 days per month of mission.

You can benefit from exceptional leave for family events (birth, marriage, etc.).

Your health insurance is support for you and your rights holders.

A private insurer replaces French social security for the duration of the voluntary service.

It covers the reimbursement of medical expenses.

Please note

You must be up to date with the necessary vaccinations, before and during your mission.

Yes, services performed as a volunteer for a period of at least 6 months are taken into account for the calculation of your retirement.

One certificate of completion of your mission is delivered to you at the end of the volunteering.

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