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Languages

Multilingualism is one of the European Union’s founding principles and translators, proofreaders, lawyer-linguists and interpreters play a fundamental role. They convey policies and actions into the EU’s official languages, thus connecting the EU to its citizens by speaking in their own language.

Translator

Job description

Their responsibilities include translating legal, financial and scientific documents, policy papers, reports, correspondence and technical texts; providing wide-ranging linguistic advice; managing multilingual websites; editing original documents drafted by other EU officials, among a variety of other tasks.

Key qualifications

You must have a perfect command of one EU language and a thorough command of at least two others along with a degree in any discipline. Key qualifications may vary so always check the specific requirements whenever a selection procedure is published.

Learn more about selection procedures and different staff categories.

You can also find available job opportunities or consult our traineeships page.

Proofreader

Job description

Their duties include proofreading documents; verifying translated texts for consistency with the original language; preparing and checking content in various formats and media; correcting spelling, grammar and syntax mistakes; helping to organise and monitor the production processes involved in publication, among a variety of other tasks.

Key qualifications

You must have a perfect command of one EU language and a thorough command of a second one. You should also have either a post-secondary education and at least a few years' professional experience or a secondary education and several years' professional experience. Key qualifications may vary so always check the specific requirements whenever a selection procedure is published.

Learn more about selection procedures and different staff categories.

You can also find available job opportunities or consult our traineeships page.

Lawyer-Linguist

Job description

EU lawyer-linguists ensure that all new legislation is correctly translated into other EU languages and faithfully reflects the text in which it was originally conceived.  

The job requires capable lawyers with outstanding linguistic abilities. Their tasks include following legislative procedures throughout the process and acting as advisers; providing guidance on legislative drafting; checking, revising legal texts and reviewing their compliance with formal rules, among other tasks. 

Key qualifications

You must have a perfect command of one EU language, a thorough knowledge of at least two others as well as a law degree. Key qualifications may vary so always check the specific requirements whenever a selection procedure is published.

Learn more about selection procedures and different staff categories.

You can also find available job opportunities or consult our traineeships page.

In addition, you may also look for temporary contract opportunities on the Court of Justice's website.

Conference Interpreter

Job description

The EU institutions' interpreting service is the largest in the world – its conference interpreters ensure that the discussions held at meetings are correctly interpreted into an EU official language, using either simultaneous or consecutive interpreting. 

EU interpreters work in a stimulating, multicultural environment. They must be able to communicate effectively, grasp varied and often complex issues, react and adapt swiftly to changing circumstances as well as work under pressure. 

Key qualifications

You must have a perfect command of one EU language, a thorough command of at least two others and an appropriate qualification in conference interpreting; alternatively, you must have a degree and one or more years’ professional experienceKey qualifications may vary so always check the specific requirements whenever a selection procedure is published.

Freelance interpreters may also be employed to work alongside staff interpreters. You can find information about how to become a freelance interpreter with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice  on the dedicated website: ‘Work as a Freelance Interpreter at the EU’.

Learn more about selection procedures and different staff categories.

You can also find available job opportunities or consult our traineeships page.