Traineeships at the European Commission

The Commission organises twice a year in-service training periods lasting five months for university graduates.

This does not exclude those who, in the framework of lifelong learning – have recently obtained a university diploma and are at the beginning of a new professional career.

The training periods start on 1 March and 1 October each year.

Purpose

The purpose of in-service training is in particular:

• to provide them with practical knowledge of the working of Commission departments;
• to enable them to acquire personal experience by means of the contacts made in the course of their everyday work;
• to enable them to further and put into practice the knowledge they have acquired during their studies and in particular in their specific areas of competence.

Eligibility

The traineeship programme is open to university graduates who:

1. have completed a standard 3-year higher education degree (minimum EQF 6 level), corresponding to a complete Bachelor’s cycle, or equivalent. Only if you have a certificate or official confirmation from your university that you have such a degree will you be eligible to apply.You will have to provide the following documents:
   • diplomas or certificates with final grades clearly indicated
   • and proof of minimum EQF 6 level. Find out more about EQF levels
2. have no prior work experience of any kind, in excess of 6 weeks in any EU institution, body or agency, delegation, with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), or Advocates General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (EUCJ)
3. have a very good knowledge of languages:

• For the administrative traineeship – you must have a very good knowledge of two EU official languages, one of which must be a working language: English, French or German at C1 or C2 level as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and a second one at B2 level at least as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
  For non-EU nationals, only one procedural language is required at C1 or C2 level.
• For the translation traineeship in the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) – you must be able to translate into your main/target language (normally your mother tongue), from two other official EU languages (‘source languages’*).:
  • your main/target language must be one of the official EU languages
  • your first source language for translation must be a working language of the EU: English, French or German
  • your second source language can be any of the official EU languages with at least B2-level proficiency

Grant

A training grant may be awarded to the trainee. The grant is approximately EUR 1,376.89 per month and reimbursement of travel expenses. Accident and health insurance are also provided.

Disabled trainees may receive a supplement to their grant.

To submit your application, you must:

• Complete and submit on-line the application form.
• Send your application file, preferably by registered post, before the deadline for application.
• People who have previously done more than 6 weeks of in-service training or work (paid or unpaid) for any of the European institutions or bodies are excluded.

Deadline: 30 August 2024

More information

European Commission Trainesship