Translation traineeships at the European Commission

The Commission organises twice a year in-service training periods lasting five months for university graduates from the EU who wish to gain in-house professional translation experience.

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.

Tasks

Those selected are assigned to a translation unit comprising translators of the same mother tongue. Trainees do the same work as their staff colleagues, translating into their mother tongue or main language from at least two Community languages. Their work is revised by experienced senior staff. Some trainees are assigned to the language library or to the terminology unit or other support unit in the translation service.

In order to apply you must

be an EU citizen;
have completed the first cycle of a higher education course (university education) and obtained a full degree or its equivalent by closing date for applications;
not have completed a traineeship in another European Union institution or body or have worked for more than 6 weeks in any European institution, EU Body, EU Executive Agency, EU delegations or for Members of Parliament (MEPs);
be able to translate into your mother tongue from two other EU official languages (source languages);
your main language must be one of the official EU languages.

Languages

your 1^stsource language must be English, French or German.
your 2^nd source language can be any of the official EU languages.

Benefits

Trainees receive a grant of EUR 1,229.32 per month and reimbursement of travel expenses. Accident and health insurance are also provided. Disabled trainees may receive a supplement to their grant.

The traineeships usually run from 1 March and 1 October, but they may start on other dates at the discretion of the translation service.