Traineeships in the EU
Traineeships in the EU institutions and agencies
The traineeship offered by the European Institutions is recognised as an opportunity for graduates. This program offers unmatched insight into the EU institutions and attracts candidates from around the Union. For those interested in European governance and international relations, eager to gain practical experience in developing policies that influence millions, we recommend applying for a traineeship that is organised twice a year and usually last for 5 months. EU traineeships are paid, with remuneration varying depending on the host organisation (approx. EUR 1300/month).
Key features
It is designed for graduates who wish to engage with the core activities of the European Union. Participants are placed in various EU institutions, agencies and bodies, where they will contribute to projects that match their expertise. This program offers valuable insights into EU decision-making and policies, networking opportunities with professionals, experience from a dynamic and multicultural environment and the development of valuable career skills.
You will be involved in diverse policy areas, from public administration to cybersecurity, digital transformation efforts to health matters, from law and space to economic policy and climate change initiatives. Other areas on offer are translation, communication, human resources and diplomacy.
This is the opportunity to enhance your professional skills, collaborating with multicultural teams, making significant contributions to projects that matters and for personal growth.
Explore available traineeship opportunities by selecting from various EU institutions, bodies, and agencies. It is a good idea to start applying in time and not wait until the last moment.
Please note that the information available on this page is not exhaustive. Each EU institution, body and agency is responsible for managing their own traineeship selection and recruitment procedures.
Council of the European Union - Positive Action Programme for Trainees with a disability
The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union offers 4-6 paid traineeship a year in different domains reserved for trainees with a disability.
Who can apply: These traineeships are reserved for graduates and third, fourth or fifth year university students of EU nationality with a recognized disability.
Duration: 5 months
Paid: Yes. €2 065.32 net per month, reimbursement of travel allowance and GSC restaurant reduction card. Upon presentation of proper justification, trainees with disabilities may receive a supplementary amount up to half of the traineeship grant.
Starting Dates:
- 16 February (application period around August / September - check at that moment for final dates).
- 1 September (application period around February/March - check at that moment for final dates).
Discover the testimonies of trainees who have participated in this action programme.
More information: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/general-secretariat/jobs/traineeships/positi…Paid Internship - EU LISA
IT related profiles: Artificial Intelligence, Business Analyst, IT Development, Cybersecurity, Project Management.
Type of contract: Paid Internship
Internship duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension, 12 months total)
Monthly grant: 2,101.23 EUR1
Location: Strasbourg, France Starting date: 1 November 2023
More information: https://erecruitment.eulisa.europa.eu/?page=advertisement_display&id=130Traineeships - EUSPA
EUSPA offers paid traineeships in different departments.
Who can apply:
- University graduates (or soon-to-be), who are nationals of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland or Norway.
- Candidates who possess a thorough knowledge of one official language of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the European Union; one of these languages must be the working language of the Agency (English)
- Applicants have not previously undertaken a traineeship at EUSPA
Contract duration: 6 months
Possibility of renewal: yes
Paid: yes. 1400€ (Monthly Grant)
More information: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/traineeship-listingCouncil of the European Union - Paid Traineeships
Depending on the needs of the service, the daily work of a trainee would generally be equivalent to that of junior administrator officials at the beginning of their career e.g.: preparing meetings and drafting minutes, attending meetings of Coreper and Council preparatory bodies, researching on a particular project, translating documents, compiling documentation, writing reports. Trainees will also be invited to participate in a study programme that includes visits and conferences at other EU institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg.
Who can apply: EU nationals who, by the deadline for submitting applications, have completed at least the first part of their university studies and have a degree certificate or equivalent.
Duration: 5 months.
Paid: Yes. €1 376.88 net per month, reimbursement of travel allowance and GSC restaurant reduction card.
Starting Dates:
16 February (application period around August/September - check at that moment for final dates).
1 September (application period around February/March - check at that moment for final dates).
Schuman Traineeships
The goal of the Schuman traineeships is to contribute to EU citizens’ European education and vocational training and to provide an insight into the work of the European Parliament.
Who can apply: University graduates aged 18 or over. Candidates should have a thorough knowledge of two of the official languages of the European Union and should not have worked for more than two consecutive months within an EU institution or body.
Duration: 5 months
Paid: Yes. Find more about the monthly allowances here: EP Schuman traineeship-monthly-grants-and-allowances-2024.pdf (europa.eu)
Starting Dates: 1 March and 1 October
Learn also about the Schuman Recruitment and Development Programme: The Schuman Recruitment and Development Programme (europa.eu)
More information: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/en/work-with-us/traineeshipsEUAA Traineeship Programme
The European Union Agency for Asylum offers a traineeship contract of 6 months, renewable for a maximum of another 6 months.
Who can apply?
Citizens of an EU Member State or of a Schengen associated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)
Recent university graduates and university students enrolled in a higher education course and having completed at least three years of studies before starting the traineeship.
Candidates should have a minimum level B2 of the (Common European Framework for Languages) in English.
What is the start date of the traineeship?
A traineeship can start on the 1st or the 16th of any month, first intake begins on 1st March 2026.
What is the duration of the EUAA traineeship?
The initial traineeship contract is up to six months and may be renewed for a maximum of another six months. The maximum duration of a traineeship is 12 months.
How to Apply
You can apply through EUAA online application tool.
Remuneration
€ 1500 traineeship grant, along with travel support for joining and leaving the Agency.
Location(s): Malta or other EUAA offices in Belgium, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus (as stated in the vacancy notice)
Short-term traineeships - EESC
Paid traineeships for short periods are occasionally available for university students.
Who can apply: University students for whom such a traineeship is compulsory for the completion of their studies
Duration: 1, 2, or 3 months
Paid: Yes, around 680 € per month
Starting Dates: 1st or 16th of a given month, except in July and August.
More information: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/work-with-us/traineeships/short-term-traineeshipsLong-term traineeships - EESC
Twice a year the European Economic and Social Committee offers traineeships to university graduates. These periods of in-service training offer an opportunity to learn about the EESC's roles and activities and to acquire professional experience in a multicultural environment.
Who can apply: University graduates who are nationals of the Member States of the European Union.
Duration: 5 months
Paid: Yes, around 1,370 € per month
Starting Dates: 16 February and 16 September
Traineeships with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)
MEPs may offer paid traineeships at their offices in the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels (or Strasbourg) based on an agreement with the European Parliament.
The MEPs’ traineeships may be undertaken in a wide variety of fields. The Member of Parliament who awards the traineeship will assign specific tasks to be completed during the traineeship.
Who can apply
- be aged 18 or over (derogations from this age limit can be granted in response to a duly substantiated request);
- be nationals of a Member State of the European Union or an accession/candidate country. Nevertheless, Members may offer a traineeship to nationals of third countries, provided they comply with visa requirements;
- have obtained a secondary-school leaving certificate corresponding to the level required for entry to university, or have followed a higher or technical course of study to an equivalent level, or have obtained a university diploma;
- have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union;
- not be party to an employment contract or any working contractual relationship during their traineeship;
- not have carried out a previous traineeship with a Member, nor have previously worked as a parliamentary assistant to a Member, whether local or accredited.
Duration: between six weeks and five consecutive months, and is decided by the Member of Parliament who awards the traineeship. It can start at any time during the year.
Paid: between EUR 921 and EUR 1510 for a full-time traineeship.
More information: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/en/work-with-us/traineeshipsTraineeships - ERCEA
The ERCEA welcomes Bluebook Trainees for a paid 5 month traineeship (2 sessions per year, starting in March and October). There are up to 10 traineeship opportunities per year in different fields, including:
- Scientific fields (Physical Sciences and Engineering, Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities)
- Finance
- Administration (law, human resources, ICT)
- Communication
Who can apply:
- Nationals of a Member State of the European Union (a limited number of places are also allocated to non-EU nationals) who are 18 years of age or older.
- Applicants must have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma (awarded in EU Member States or that are subject to the equivalence certificates issued by Member States’ Authorities), when the normal period of university education is three years or more.
- Applicants must not have already benefited or benefit from any kind of traineeship within a European Union institution or body or have had or have any kind of employment within a European Union institution or body for more than 6 weeks.
- Applicants 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.
Duration: 5 months
Paid: Yes
Starting Dates: 1st of March and 1st of October
More information: https://erc.europa.eu/about-erc/work-with-us