Last year, around 1,900 young women and men completed a voluntary social year, significantly more than before it was enshrined in law in 2012. Two thirds of the volunteers are women.
On average, the volunteers were 19 years old. APA/Georg Hochmuth
The number of young women and men doing a voluntary social year (FSJ) continues to increase. In 2025 there were around 1,900 participants, 1,200 of whom were women, according to the Social Minister’s current response to a parliamentary question from the FPÖ Korinna Schumann (SPÖ). In 2024 there were still 1,700. Before it was enshrined in law in 2012, only 300 to 400 people completed a voluntary social year per year.
Most recently, volunteers have been involved in rescue services, followed by social and disability assistance and looking after children and older people. By far the most participants come from Lower Austria (730), followed by Vienna (352) and Upper Austria (243). 75 percent of all participants – on average they were 19 years old – stated during an evaluation that they wanted to continue working in the social sector in the future. At the Red Cross For example, after the FSJ, almost half of the participants continue to work for the organization.
Formally, the voluntary social year, which can last between six and twelve months, is a training relationship. There is pocket money of 550 euros per month, and you can also receive family allowance up to the age of 24. According to the Volunteer Act, a maximum of 4.5 million euros per year is available for the FSJ. Participation is possible from the age of 17, or earlier if particularly suitable. Men can also have at least ten months of FSJ credited towards their community service. However, the ministry does not have any figures as to how often this actually happens. (APA)
