Location
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
650
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $650 for 1 week - this includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Jan 07, 2024
76 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Spain and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Spain.

Our affordable projects start from $61/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-12 weeks. Choose from 8 projects, ranging from Youth Support to Marine Conservation, based in the iconic and captivating beachside city, Barcelona. Plus, you’ll stay in a dormitory-style hostel with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $61/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-12 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays.
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Animal Care Volunteer in Spain

Help care for cats and improve their lives in overcrowded animal shelters in Barcelona as an Animal Care volunteer! Spend time playing with them, giving them exercise outside their enclosures, feeding them, and raising awareness about animal abandonment. Your goal is to keep the cats active, healthy, and ready to be adopted by local families who visit the shelter.

Marine Conservation Volunteer in Spain

Dive into the deep blue sea and become a Marine Conservation volunteer in Spain! With environmental forecasts painting a bleak picture of ocean pollution, you can help protect marine life and reduce plastic waste. Use your scuba diving skills to collect trash, log information on marine debris, and observe and identify fish and wildlife. No diving certification? No problem! The program offers a minimum 2-week certification course before you can start diving.

Migrant & Refugee Support Volunteer in Spain

Experience a unique cultural immersion while making a difference in the lives of refugees and immigrants in Barcelona. Join a project aimed at integrating newcomers into Catalan society by offering language classes, leisure activities, and socialization opportunities. You'll assist with daily tasks at a local host center, such as cooking, distributing meals, and conversing in Spanish while teaching English language skills. Help empower and support those seeking refuge and a better life.

Youth Support Volunteer in Spain

Barcelona's socioeconomic divide leaves underprivileged youth without access to support services. As a Youth Support volunteer, you can make a difference in their lives. Help create a safe and inclusive after-school environment that fosters personal development and life skills. Assist with homework, arrange activities, teach English, and mentor children. Build meaningful connections and give young people the tools to build a better future for themselves.

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 21 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.48%
  • 4 rating 9.52%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 5
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 5
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 5
  • Value 5
Showing 17 - 21 of 21 reviews
Abri
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Madrid Scene

IVHQ's Madrid program was amazing. You are located in a safe area with 24/7 support and receive a comprehensive orientation. The apartments are more than comfortable and are close to public transportation. I had work in the morning and free nights and weekends to explore with my housemates. We even flew to Lisbon, Portugal one weekend. You must go to the night club, "Teatro Capital" one night if nothing else when looking for the social scene and the food in Spain is to die for. Safe travels!

66 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Abri, We are so glad hear that you had an amazing time on the program in Madrid. Thanks for the recommendations – it sounds like you certainly made the most of your time in Spain!
Kaila – IVHQ Spain Program Manager

Default avatar
Ruth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Special Needs Support in Madrid

I volunteered for 2 weeks in Madrid and it was amazing. The support from the IVHQ volunteer house were always ready to answer questions we had about the volunteer program and the city. This experience was unique because I got the opportunity to be placed in two different programs. I was open to whatever the program needed me to do and that helped me understand the lives of the individuals at the program. It was tough at the beginning because I did not know any Spanish, but I did not let that bring me down. I learnt a little to just get by with communication using the Google translate app. I highly recommend it. Don't get intimidated by the language barrier. Such things are opportunities to learn, so be open to learning. Working with the elderly and individuals with Autism showed another side to life that I wouldn't have experienced unless I volunteered to do so. Making friends were not hard as everyone has the same goal for the weeks that you volunteer. I had no expectation from this program and trip and that brought out an amazing learning experience which I highly recommend to all.
Tips- Use Google translate for languages, the metro and the bus app to get around madrid.
I also got the under 25 metro bus card, and that saved me loads on transportation!
Travel outside Madrid during the weekend to places like Toledo or Segovia. It is worth it!

63 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Thanks so much for sharing, Ruth! We are stoked to hear that you had an amazing time on the IVHQ program in Madrid and had a rewarding time at your placements. Thanks for your tips and for being a great volunteer!
Kaila - IVHQ Spain Program Manager

Default avatar
Diane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Enlightening and Stimulating Experience

I had a lifetime, affordable and safe experience with IVHQ Spain. I taught EFL for the first time at a rehab center. The participants were very responsive. I was enlighten by the daily structure provided for the rehab participants but yet they had enough energy to focus on the English I and my team mates taught them. They were very appreciated. The IVHQ staff allowed my team mates and I to use our own creativity to teach. They didn't impose any structure only provided some tips. It seemed very challenging at first not being given a manual to follow but in the end this approach brought out the best in me because I had to think of a strategy to teach the participants (aged 18 to 25). Every day I had to figure out what and how to ensure that the participants benefit from my teaching. I also worked on the Renovation Program preparing a new rehab center. Painting and sweeping on a rooftop in the hot boiling sun challenged by perseverance. Living in a house with 30 strangers and yet feeling as though I was with siblings was the most amazing part of my volunteer stint in Spain. I think there was a nice balance of work and play that would want me to repeat a similar experience with IVHQ. Thanks for a great experience that I will forever remember.

What would you improve about this program?
The Coordinators were also relatively new to the program and I think that they showed improvement every day and the tips for improvement have already been given to them.
67 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Diane, Thanks for sharing this awesome review of our program in Spain! It is inspiring to hear that you used creativity, initiative and perseverance in order to really make the most of your volunteer experience. Thanks for being an exceptional volunteer and we would love to have you join us again!
Kaila – IVHQ Spain Program Manager

Default avatar
Ana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My adventure in Spain

My volunteer trip to Spain was unforgettable. I got the opportunity to volunteer for 3 weeks in the special needs program. I helped adults with disabilities learn how to work with computers and learn their way around it. I got to meet new people and explore the beautiful country of Spain. I got to go on tourists tours during free time and I also had the amazing opportunity to explore the city of San Sebastián because we had weekends off. It was an amazing weekend trip with friends. I loved it and I want to one day go back a revisit!

What would you improve about this program?
Perhaps adding another hour or two to the volunteering time.
67 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Ana, Thanks for sharing! We are so glad to hear that you had an unforgettable volunteer experience in Spain. It sounds like you made the most of your time on the program and we would love to have you join us again!
Kaila – IVHQ Spain Program Manager

Default avatar
Kathryn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Affordable, Immersive Experience

I was able to spend 2 weeks in Madrid, Spain volunteering with IVHQ on their "Special Needs Support" program. I work in special education in the public school system in the U.S. and was hoping to find a volunteer opportunity that would allow me to continue working in a similar capacity during my summer off. IVHQ's program was unique in that it included programs for working with children with special needs as well as more traditional teaching or renovation programs. The program allowed me to immerse myself in both the Spanish language and culture while also giving back to a group of individuals that truly needed volunteer support. Throughout my time in Madrid, I felt safe and comfortable exploring the city independently as my volunteer schedule allowed. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine my interest in volunteering with my interest in the Spanish language, culture, and people.

63 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Kathryn, It’s nice to hear from you. We are stoked that the Spain program gave you an opportunity to combine your interests in the Spanish language, culture, and people. It has been great to have as an IVHQer and we would love to have you join us again in the future.

Questions & Answers

Hi Gladys, all IVHQ programs are fully-hosted experiences which include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support. You can learn more about our affordable program fees here: www.volunteerhq.org/affordable-volunteer-fees/. You can always reach out to our team for guidance in selecting a project that aligns with your budget and interests: www.volunteerhq.org...

Hi Maria, Spanish is not a prerequisite for volunteering on the IVHQ Spain program and our local team who will be supporting you throughout your time in Spain can always assist with translations. You can also take advantage of the highly affordable Spanish lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by our local team in Spain - this is super helpful for developing your language skills to...

Hi Grace, IVHQ has volunteer programs for all ages - we have families with school-aged children joining us and many retirees who are seeking meaningful travel opportunities where they can be immersed in a new culture while giving back to their host community. For personalized program recommendations based on your age, you can submit an enquiry here: https://my.volunteerhq.org/enquiries