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Sports, Clubs & Volunteering in Cologne

Play sports, join a club or volunteer in Cologne

Progress0 of 6 steps completed
6 Schritte · ca. 4 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 4 Minuten fertig

Step 1

Find sports & leisure activities

Through the Cologne City Sports Association you can find over 660 sports clubs with more than 340,000 members. The Sports Education Center also offers courses for all ages.

⚠️Many clubs offer free trial sessions – take advantage of this opportunity!
⏰ No deadline💰 0 €
💡 Tips
  • City Sports Association: Umbrella organization for 660+ sports clubs
  • Kölle aktiv: Free outdoor sports courses
  • Sports Education Center: Courses from yoga to cross-country skiing
  • Sports badge: Annual events to participate
Open club search↗Book sports courses ↗
Step 2

Join a club

Contact your chosen club directly. Most clubs offer a free trial session. Membership usually starts with an application form.

⚠️Pay attention to cancellation periods – often 3 months before year end!
⏰ No deadline💰 Mitgliedsbeitrag je nach Verein (meist 5-30 €/Monat)

📄 Required Documents

💡 Tips
  • Trial training is usually free
  • Ask about discounts for families, students or unemployed
  • Many clubs offer flexible memberships
  • Children and youth often pay reduced fees
Club search↗
Step 3

Find & take on volunteering

The Cologne Volunteer Agency and the city's volunteer exchange match suitable engagements. Over 500 organizations in Cologne are looking for volunteers.

⚠️Volunteering is insured! NRW has collective liability and accident insurance for volunteers.
⏰ No deadline💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

💡 Tips
  • Personal advice at the Volunteer Agency: Clemensstraße 7
  • City volunteer exchange: Over 100 organizations present themselves
  • Short-term engagement also possible (Social Days)
  • Extended certificate of conduct is free for volunteers
Volunteer Agency↗Volunteer Exchange ↗
Step 4

Clarify insurance & liability

Volunteers in NRW are insured against accidents through the state's collective insurance. Club members are insured through the State Sports Association.

⚠️State insurance only applies if no other insurance is responsible!
⏰ No deadline💰 0 € (durch Land NRW abgedeckt)
💡 Tips
  • Accident insurance: Covers all volunteer activities
  • Liability insurance: Protects against third-party claims
  • Sports clubs: Additional sports insurance via LSB NRW
  • For club board: Check D&O insurance
Collective insurance info↗
Step 5

Cancellation & club change

🚨
Frist: According to statutes (usually 3 months before year end) · Always cancel in writing with confirmation of receipt!

Cancellation must be in writing. Note the cancellation deadlines in the club statutes – usually 3 months before year end.

📄 Required Documents

💡 Tips
  • Cancellation period is in the club statutes
  • Written form is usually required (letter or email)
  • Registered mail or personal handover with receipt
  • Revoke SEPA mandate separately if necessary
Cancellation templates↗
Step 6

Funding & NRW Volunteer Card

With at least 5 hours of volunteering per week (or 250 hours/year) you can apply for the NRW Volunteer Card. It offers over 4,700 discounts statewide.

⚠️The Volunteer Card is also available as an app – apply digitally and use immediately!
⏰ No deadline💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

💡 Tips
  • Discounts: Museums, swimming pools, adult education courses, cinemas
  • Anniversary Volunteer Card: After 25 years of engagement – valid indefinitely
  • Apply for Volunteer Card via app and use digitally
  • Volunteer allowance: Up to €840 annually tax-free
Apply for Volunteer Card↗View discounts ↗

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have time?
Keine Frist
What does it cost?
0 €, Mitgliedsbeitrag je nach Verein (meist 5-30 €/Monat), 0 €, 0 € (durch Land NRW abgedeckt), 0 €, 0 €
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Viele Vereine bieten kostenloses Probetraining an – nutze diese Chance!

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