Blue Book Traineeship Programme

Twice a year, the European Commission organises a five-month in-service training programme foruniversitygraduatesandthose with vocational qualifications.

What are Blue Book work placements?

It is a five-month paid work placement programme organised by the European Commission, which enables participants to gain professional experience within European Union institutions. 

The Blue Book internship programme aims to reflect the diversity of today’s Europe and to maximise equal opportunities, treatment and access for all candidates, regardless of their sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, religion or beliefs, membership of a national minority, disability, age or sexual orientation.

What does it offer?

During your placement, you will gain practical experience through direct involvement in the work of the European Commission, its agencies or other bodies.

• You will gain practical professional experience in an international environment.
• You will develop key skills, such as communication, teamwork and organisation.
• You will apply your academic knowledge in practice.
• You will work in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• You will improve your career prospects through recognised professional experience.

The nature of your work will depend on the department to which you are assigned.

Monthly allowance:

The living allowance consists of a monthly grant which is adjusted (using a correction coefficient – a factor used to adjust salaries in line with the cost of living in different locations) according to the trainee’s place of assignment during their placement. 

Subject to budgetary availability and in addition to the monthly grant, trainees may receive a general travel allowance(€275) and, depending on their place of assignment, some trainees may also receive:

• an allowance for meals and public transport (5 per cent of the adjusted monthly grant).
• an accommodation allowance (20 per cent of the adjusted monthly grant).

Upon presentation of a certificate attesting to a recognised disability, issued by a competent national authority, students with disabilities may be eligible for a supplementary allowance of up to 50 per cent of the adjusted monthly grant.

Who is eligible to apply?

The programme is open to all eligible candidates from European Union Member States. A limited number of places are also allocated to non-EU nationals in specific Directorates-General or services.

Internships available:

The European Commission offers three types of traineeships: administrative traineeships for university graduates (ADMIN UG), administrative traineeships for vocational training graduates (ADMIN VET) and translation traineeships (TRA).

1. ADMINISTRATIVE PLACEMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES: these providepractical experience in managing office operations, supporting organisational functions and carrying out various administrative tasks.

Requirements:

• University degree: candidates must have obtained a full university degree (minimum 3 years or 180 ECTS, EQF level 6 or higher) and provide proof of completion in the form of a diploma or official transcript.
• Languages:proof of C1/C2 level in English, French or German is required; in addition, EU citizens must demonstrate a B2 level in another official EU language.
• No previous experience in European Union institutions: applicants must not have worked or undertaken a placement in EU institutions for more than 6 weeks (42 days).
• Professional experience: any work experience (including voluntary work) of 15 days or more, undertaken from the age of 16, either in the country of origin or abroad, is accepted.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE WORK PLACEMENTS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING GRADUATES: these provide practical experience through on-the-job learning, enabling participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in a professional context related to their training.

Requirements:

• Vocational Training Qualification: candidates must have completed a vocational training qualification at EQF levels 3, 4 or 5 (or equivalent) and provide proof of completion via an official diploma or certificate.
• Languages: applicants must demonstrate a B2 level in English, French or German; in addition, EU citizens must demonstrate an A2 level in another official EU language.
• No previous experience in European Union institutions: must not have worked or undertaken a placement in EU institutions for more than 6 weeks (42 days).
• Professional experience: any work experience (including voluntary work) of 15 days or more, undertaken from the age of 16, either in the country of origin or abroad, is accepted.

3. TRANSLATION PLACEMENTS: these offer practical experience in translating documents into the student’s mother tongue from at least two of the official languages of the EU.

Requirements:

• University qualification: candidates must have completed a full university degree (minimum 3 years or 180 ECTS, EQF level 6 or higher) and provide proof of completion in the form of a diploma or official transcript.
• Language proficiency: ability to translate into the main language (usually the mother tongue) from:
  • English, French or German (C1/C2).
  • Another official EU language (minimum B2).
• No previous experience in European Union institutions: must not have worked or undertaken a placement in EU institutions for more than 6 weeks (42 days).
• Professional experience: any work experience (including voluntary work) of 15 days or more, undertaken from the age of 16, either in your country of origin or abroad, is accepted.

A general requirement is to be aged 18 or over on the start date of the placement.

Where can you do your work placement?

Trainees work across the European Commission, its departments and agencies, mainly in Brussels, but also in Luxembourg and elsewhere in the European Union.

Most trainees are assigned to the Commission’s departments, its executive agencies and the Commissioners’ cabinets. Places are also allocated to other decentralised services and agencies, such as the EEAS, the EDPS, the CAJU, the EEA, the EFCA, FRONTEX, SESAR, the SRB and EU-RAIL. Future career opportunities may vary between these different organisations.

Scientific traineeships are also available at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Calendar:

• Submission of applications: 22 July 26 – 4 September 26 at 10.00 am.
• Pre-selection: September–October.
• Selection: November–December.
• Internship period: 1 March 2027 – 31 July 2027

You may only submit one application per period and per type of placement.

 

More information: European Commission