Best Volunteering Programs in Spain (2026)

Spain is an underrated volunteer destination that combines world-class city life with urgent conservation and social needs. Barcelona alone hosts multiple marine conservation programs that take volunteers beneath the surface of the Mediterranean, while Tenerife offers a subtropical base for whale and dolphin research in the Atlantic. Elsewhere in Spain, animal welfare shelters, horse sanctuaries, and community food banks provide deeply meaningful opportunities close to home for European volunteers. Not sure which type suits you? Ask an AI chatbot to describe your interests and it will match you to the right program in seconds.

This blog covers the best volunteer opportunities in Spain, all verified and bookable through Volentroop.

🤿 Marine Conservation in Barcelona

Marine Conservation in Barcelona

📍 Barcelona

Volunteers participate in scuba diving activities to clean Mediterranean seabeds of pollution while protecting local marine ecosystems. Volunteers staying 2 weeks or more earn internationally recognized CMAS diving certifications, making this one of the few programs that actively improves your qualifications while you give back.

Scuba Diving for Ocean Conservation

📍 Barcelona (Barceloneta)

Join scuba diving expeditions in the crystal-clear waters around Barcelona to survey and protect Mediterranean underwater ecosystems. Volunteers document marine biodiversity, remove ghost fishing nets, and participate in coral restoration, open to both certified divers and complete beginners.

Mediterranean Marine Conservation

📍 Barcelona (Port Olímpic)

Based in Barcelona, this marine conservation program involves underwater surveys, debris removal, and seagrass meadow monitoring in the Mediterranean. Volunteers also support educational programs for local schools about ocean health, amplifying the impact of their fieldwork into the next generation.

🐋 Whale and Dolphin Conservation – Canary Islands

Conservation of Whale and Dolphin Populations

📍 Tenerife, Canary Islands

Contribute to critical whale and dolphin conservation initiatives in the subtropical Canary Islands. Volunteers ethically observe and document these magnificent creatures in the warm Atlantic waters off Tenerife, contributing field data that supports their long-term conservation in the region.

🐾 Animal Welfare and Sanctuary Programs

Animal Welfare Helper

📍 Bilbao

Volunteer at animal shelters in Bilbao, giving love and care to animals that have been abandoned or abused and are looking for new homes. Northern Spain's vibrant Basque city provides a rewarding cultural backdrop for this meaningful and emotionally fulfilling work.

Force-free Equine Sanctuary Assistant

📍 Atajate, Andalusia

An educative experience focusing on the welfare, psychology, and force-free training of rescued horses at a sanctuary in the Andalusian hills. Ideal for dedicated animal lovers wanting to learn compassionate horsemanship in one of Spain's most scenic rural regions.

🤝 Community and Youth Programs – Barcelona

Barcelona Food Rescue & Community Empowerment

📍 Barcelona (Gràcia)

Support a diverse migrant community in Barcelona by combating food waste and promoting sustainability. Work includes training individuals with disabilities at an inclusive hostel and serving families in need at a social NGO food bank in the bohemian Gràcia neighbourhood.

Barcelona Youth Empowerment