The website are enticing, but is volunteering in exchange for room and board legal in France? Does the EU have insurance regulations which prohibit it? Does one need a visa for fewer than 90 days?
Nana
Posted by
Niceville, FL, USA
154 posts
It's always a good idea to be careful and have a back up plan. Try calling the French embassy here in the States with these questions. Less than 90 days I do not believe you need a visa. Hope this helps.
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Could you give a little more information about the organization? Whether it's legal or not is going to depend on whether the "company" is trying to avoid having to pay actual wages (and therefore government cotistations/taxes/benefits) by having foreign "volunteers" do the work in exchange for room & board. If, on the other hand, you are working for an organization that operates similarly to a non-profit in the US (and the status is very difficult to get), then it could very well be legit. A stay of less than 90 days doesn't require a visa unless you have been in the Schengen zone just prior and will be overstaying the 90 in 180 days visa -free allotment.