Here is an overview of frequently asked questions about the Closed for Maintenance working days.

1. WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR?

You will need to pay for your travel ticket. We have an agreement with the national airline, Atlantic Airways, about promotion codes, which provide a discount for participants. Indeed, you can choose other travel solutions, but the promotion codes are only for flights with Atlantic Airways. Accommodation and food will be provided during the Closed for Maintenance period. 
 

2. WILL I NEED A WORK PERMIT?

All non-Nordic citizens will be required to obtain a work permit. Obtaining a work permit is simple, and we will handle the applications for you. We will provide more information and guidance once you have been admitted to the maintenance crew.

3. DO I NEED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE?

To become a volunteer, one must be at least 18 years old before the working days. Our projects have various difficulty levels, so all volunteers don't need to be highly skilled. We only require a willingness to assist and some physical fitness, as volunteers may need to walk on uneven terrain.

As something new, out of all the applicants, 50 people will be selected randomly, while 30 will be selected based on their relevant skills and experiences that align with our 2024 projects.
 

The timing of your registration during the 48-hour registration window will not affect your chances of being selected for the Maintenance Crew.
 

4. WILL LOCALS ALSO PARTICIPATE?

We reserve spots for locals who want to lend a helping hand. In addition, one or more local project leaders will manage the projects. People from the tourism industry, such as regional tourist information centres, Visit Faroe Islands, incoming agencies, etc., will also participate. We aim for a 50/50 – foreigners to locals ratio.

5. HOW WILL I BE ACCOMMODATED?

All volunteers will be provided accommodation during the working days (from the introduction day to the night after the party). Volunteers will stay in the villages where they will be working. Accommodation will be basic but good. Volunteers should expect shared bedrooms and facilities. If volunteers wish to arrive before the Closed for Maintenance period or stay longer to explore the islands (as many do), they must book and pay for accommodation.

6. WILL FOOD BE PROVIDED?

All volunteers will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the maintenance days. They will also receive a light meal upon arrival and a meal during the celebratory party on the final day. We do our best to provide vegetarian and gluten-free options, but it can be challenging on some of the more remote working sites.

7. HOW WILL I GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER?

The coordinators will ensure that buses and ferries transport volunteers from start to finish without charge. However, volunteers must book and pay for transportation back to the airport after Closed for Maintenance has concluded.

8. WILL THERE BE ANY FREE TIME?

There will be some free time in the evenings. The host puts in a lot of effort to make the evenings cosy, fun, and educational. It's a great chance to get to know each other better and learn about different cultures. We might even learn some traditional songs and dances from around the world.

If you wish to explore the islands further and make the most of your trip, you can book your flights to stay for some extra nights. This is the perfect opportunity to discover more of the island's beautiful sights and sounds.

9. WHAT LANGUAGE WILL BE USED WHILE WORKING?

All communication will be in English, but you might be lucky to learn some Faroese words. Want to know some Faroese phrases before you arrive? Check ‘Faroe Islands Translate’ here.

10. HOW WILL IT ALL END?

All volunteers are invited to a celebratory party on the final evening with complimentary food, drinks, and entertainment. It is rumoured to be the year's best party.

11. IS THERE A MORE DETAILED ITINERARY?

A detailed program overview will be posted and shared with all volunteers closer to the event.

12. WHAT TYPE OF CLOTHES SHOULD I BRING?

The weather in the Faroe Islands is famously unpredictable. It is a good idea to pack a variety of clothing suited to all sorts of weather.

We recommend a comfortable sweater, rainproof coat, trousers, sturdy walking shoes, or rubber boots. Laundry facilities will be available if needed. Each volunteer will receive a woollen beanie made by a Faroese designer.

13. IF I COME WITH FRIENDS, WILL WE BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER?

Yes, during the registration process, you can write the names of those travelling with you in a comment box. But you must sign up and pay separately. We will try our best to ensure that you will work on the same project as your friend and maybe even get to share a room.

14. ARE TOURISTS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN THE FAROE ISLANDS?

A growing number of visitors in some areas have caused problems with erosion and safety concerns. However, the Faroe Islands are still in their early days as a tourist destination. We aim to mend paths where necessary and guide people safely to prevent issues from evolving.

15. WHAT WILL BE MAINTAINED/BUILT?

Most tourists travel to the Faroe Islands for nature, and the work that will be carried out for this project will, therefore, primarily focus on maintaining or building paths in popular areas. Often, these paths are ancient village paths that still function as the central pathway system for hiking in the Faroe Islands today.

More specific information about the projects during a given year is updated once they have been selected in coordination with municipalities and tourist information offices across the islands. 

16. CAN I CHOOSE WHICH PROJECT I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON?

No. Volunteers will be assigned to different projects based on various criteria to provide the best experience for all involved. Please complete the form sufficiently to help us determine your best fit.

17. WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I'M ADMITTED TO THE TEAM?

The 80 people admitted to the Maintenance Crew 2024 will receive an email from Visit Faroe Islands on Wednesday, January 24th.

If those admitted and received an e-mail have not bought flights within 48 hours, their spot on the Maintenance Crew will be withdrawn, and someone else will be randomly chosen and offered their spot.

Those not admitted will receive an e-mail once the Maintenance Crew is fully manned.

18. ARGH! I WAS TOO LATE TO SIGN UP. CAN I SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?

Ah, too bad! You can’t sign up for next year just yet, but if you give us your e-mail address by signing up for the newsletter, we can notify you when registration for next year's project will open. 

If you don’t find an answer here, please e-mail your question to info@visitfaroeislands.com, and we will reply as soon as possible.