Would you like to take your first professional steps at the heart of the European justice system? The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) offers internships for recent graduates in Luxembourg, giving you the chance to gain an inside insight into the workings of one of the Union’s key institutions.
These placements enable you to gain legal and professional experience within a European judicial institution, work in a dynamic, multilingual environment, and collaborate with professionals who contribute to the application and defence of the European Union’s fundamental values, such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
The traineeships may take place in the chambers of Judges and Advocates General, in the Court of Justice’s administrative departments or in its Interpretation Service, depending on each candidate’s background and profile.
If you wish to gain practical experience in European Union law and gain an insider’s view of how the EU’s judicial institution operates, the Court of Justice’s traineeships offer a particularly interesting opportunity for recent graduates and legal professionals.
Benefits:
- A stipend of approximately €2,400 per month;
- Possibility of receiving a one-off travel allowance of €150, subject to certain conditions;
- Gain practical experience within a judicial institution of the European Union;
- Work alongside judges, Advocates General, officials and experienced interpreters;
- Develop knowledge and skills in a multicultural, multilingual and international environment;
- Gain first-hand insight into the workings of the European Union’s judicial system;
- Contribute to the Court’s activities and familiarise yourself with the work carried out by its various departments.
Your role:
As an intern, you will have the opportunity to work in different areas depending on your academic background and interests:
- Members’ Offices:
- assist the Judges and Advocates-General of the Court of Justice or the General Court;
- take part in tasks relating to cases assigned to the relevant Member which have not yet reached the deliberation stage;
- assist with legal activities relating to the running of the chambers;
- gain experience in analysing and handling matters relating to European Union law.
These work placements are primarily aimed at law graduates, particularly those with a background in EU law, although candidates with a background in political science, economics or other related fields may also be considered. They typically last between three and five months.
- Administrative services of the Court of Justice:
Internships are open to graduates from various academic disciplines, although certain departments may require specific qualifications.
Trainees may be assigned to, amongst others:
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- Human Resources;
- Budget and Finance;
- Property and Security;
- Legal Translation and Interpreting;
- Library;
- Research and Documentation;
- Projects and Terminology Coordination;
- Protocol and Visits;
- IT;
- Communication;
- Administrative Affairs;
- Registry of the Court of Justice;
- Registry of the General Court.
During the work placement, participants will familiarise themselves with the tasks specific to the relevant department and gain practical experience under the supervision of experienced officials.
The usual duration is five months, with two internship periods per year:
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- from 1 March to 31 July;
- from 1 October to the end of February.
- Interpreting Service:
Graduates with a degree in Conference Interpreting may apply for work placements with the Interpreting Service.
During this period, they will be able to:
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- hone their interpreting skills, particularly in legal matters;
- prepare case files;
- carry out terminology searches;
- take part in practical ‘silent booth’ exercises;
- work under the supervision of experienced interpreters.
The work placements last between 10 and 12 weeks, and selection takes place once a year for the entire judicial year.
To apply, candidates must have at least two passive languages or one active second language, as well as being able to read French.
Basic Requirements:
- be a national of a Member State of the European Union, except in duly justified cases;
- hold a university degree in any academic discipline;
- for placements in Members’ offices, hold a degree in Law, Political Science, Economics or a related field;
- have a thorough knowledge of one official EU language and a good knowledge of another;
- a good knowledge of French or English is desirable;
- not have previously held a post or undertaken a placement, whether paid or unpaid, lasting more than six weeks at an institution, body or agency of the European Union.
Desirable:
Particular value will be placed on an interest in and knowledge of European Union law, as well as the ability to work in a multilingual, international and legally specialised environment.
Furthermore, the Tribunal is looking for individuals with an interest in its activities, the ability to learn and a willingness to collaborate with professionals from different backgrounds and nationalities.
Duration and start date:
The duration depends on the programme:
- 3–5 months in Members’ offices;
- 5 months in the administrative services;
- 10–12 weeks in the Interpreting Service.
The standard programmes run twice a year:
- 1 March – 31 July;
- 1 October – end of February.
Application process:
The application periods are, generally speaking:
- for placements from March to July: between July and September of the previous year;
- for placements running from October to February: between February and April of the same year;
- for interpreting placements: between July and September of the previous year.
Inclusion programme for people with disabilities:
The Court of Justice also has a specific programme designed to facilitate access to work placements for people with disabilities.
Two places are available per internship period, lasting between three and five months, in the chambers of the Members or in the administrative departments.
Applications may be submitted in areas such as:
- Legal affairs;
- Administration;
- Communication;
- Information Technology;
- Legal translation;
- Legal research.
Participants receive a monthly stipend and a one-off travel allowance, the amounts of which are higher than those for the standard programmes.
Internships for national judges and magistrates:
The CJEU also offers a specific programme for national judges and magistrates, organised in collaboration with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).
Participants may work in:
- the chambers of the Judges and Advocates-General of the Court of Justice or the General Court;
- the Directorate for Research and Documentation (DID).
The programme offers a maximum of 15 places per year and lasts for six to twelve months.
To be eligible, candidates must have served as a judge, magistrate or public prosecutor for at least one year in an EU Member State, be familiar with EU law and have a perfect command of an official EU language, as well as a satisfactory level of French.
These placements are not remunerated by the Court, although participants receive a daily allowance funded by the REFJ.
Application deadline: 15 September 2026, 17:00 CEST.
More information: Eurodesk
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