International Solidarity Volunteering (ISV)
Verified 28 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Would you like to commit to a solidarity mission in another country? International Solidarity Volunteering (ISV) allows you to engage with an accredited organization. You must be of age. Missions take place outside Europe if you are European. You receive an allowance and your costs are covered. At the end of the mission, you may be entitled to certain aids. We tell you what you need to know.
The VSI allows you to engage in actions of international solidarity, in particular in the following areas:
- Education and training
- Urban and rural development
- Sustainable development and environmental protection
- Health and social action.
You can engage with:
- Accredited International Solidarity Association
- Approved public interest group.
The mission may be carried out in one of the following countries:
- Abroad outside the country of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)
- In France, if you are a national or legal resident of a country outside the EU and the EEA.
Please note
If you are a European and want to do a mission in a European country, you can turn to the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). This system allows you to participate in solidarity missions in a country of the European Union or a neighboring country.
The VSI is intended primarily for graduates, with skills and first experience.
To perform a VSI, you must be of age.
There is no nationality requirement or age limit.
Please note
Some associations may require applicants to be at least 21 years of age.
You must not be bound by an employment contract.
However, you can perform a VSI assignment during the following holidays:
You must accomplish your mission in a country different from your home state and where you usually reside.
Missions take place outside of the European Economic Area (EEA).
However, they can take place in France, if you are a national or legal resident of a country outside France European Union (EU) and EEA.
To find a mission, you can consult the offers published on the website of France Volontaires:
Search for an international solidarity volunteering (ISV) mission
You can also contact the approved associations :
International Solidarity Volunteering: list of accredited associations
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Pour en savoir plus
Please note
You must provide your criminal record before going on a mission abroad.
The contract is concluded for a maximum duration of 2 years.
The cumulative duration of the missions accomplished, whether continuous or not, may not exceed 6 years in life.
FYI
You benefit from the benefits of the VSI contract if your mission has a minimum duration of 1 year.
You sign a contract with the association.
This contract sets out the content of your mission and the conditions under which you will carry it out.
It sets the amount of your compensation.
It also specifies the visa you will need, depending on the country of your mission.
FYI
Before you leave, the association trains you. It covers the travel expenses related to your mission.
The amount of your monthly allowance depends on the country of the mission (cost of living, nature of the mission performed, remoteness, etc.).
It is at least €150, if your mission lasts at least 1 year.
It is limited to a maximum of €772.87 per month, plus supplement that varies by country.
Please note
For volunteers hosted in France, the amount of the monthly allowance is €800 at least and €1,600 maximum.
The allowance is exempt from tax on income.
She's also exempt from social security contributions and social levies (including CSG: titleContent and CRDS: titleContent).
You are covered for the following costs:
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Food.
If you complete a mission of at least 6 months, you benefit from at least 2 days off per month of mission.
During the period of your leave, you will receive your entire allowance.
You are entitled to a social security coverage.
The association affiliates you and your rights holders, at the Caisse des Français de l'foreigner.
This is a social security scheme that guarantees you rights of the same level as those of the general French social security scheme.
This affiliation must take place at the latest on the date of the start of your contract.
You must be insured against the following risks:
- Disease
- Maternity
- Disability
- Deaths
- Old age
- ₪
- Occupational disease.
You get pension rights.
You are entitled to 1 quarter of retirement for 90 days of volunteering (up to a maximum of 4 quarters per year), under certain conditions.
You benefit from leave following:
During this period, you will receive your entire allowance.
You also benefit, you and rights holders, insurance the following, supported by the association:
- Supplementary health insurance
- Third party liability insurance
- Insurance for medical repatriation.
Attestation of accomplishment of mission
At the end of your mission, the association issues you a certificate of completion mission of VSI.
The association will take care of your return to your place of habitual residence.
It also helps you with your professional reintegration.
Aid at the end of the mission
At the end of the mission, you can claim certain aid, if your mission lasted at least 1 year.
Help | Conditions | Payment | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Lump-sum occupational integration bonus | 1/ Do not meet the conditions to benefit from the active solidarity income (ASR) 2/ Be included on the list of job seekers 3/ Not to benefit from any other job search aid 4/ Apply for the bonus within a maximum of 1 year after the end of the mission | Amount paid monthly in installments (up to 9 months) | €2,001 maximum |
Resettlement allowance | Not being a civil servant (or assimilated) | Amount paid in 1 installment | Depending on the duration of the mission (continuous): |
FYI
If you have broken an employment contract to perform an ISV for a continuous period of at least one year, this break is considered a legitimate resignation. At the end of your commitment, you regain your unemployment insurance rights and your entitlements to the RSA.
Early Break
You can terminate your ISV contract early by respecting a at least 1 month's notice.
Please note
The association must ensure your return to your place of habitual residence.
If you terminate your contract before it expires, you can only benefit from the professional integration bonus if the termination is determined by a duly justified compelling reason (for example, family or health).
If you terminate your contract before it expires, you can benefit from the professional integration bonus only if you meet the following conditions:
- You have completed a mission of 6 to 12 months
- Your return is determined by a duly justified compelling reason (for example, family or health).
The amount of the allowance is calculated according to the duration of your mission.
FYI
If you have broken an employment contract to perform an ISV for a continuous period of at least one year, this break is considered a legitimate resignation. At the end of your commitment, you regain your unemployment insurance rights and your entitlements to the RSA.
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