Traineeships in the EU institutions, bodies and agencies

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)

Through its traineeship scheme, ENISA benefits from the input of enthusiastic graduates who can give a fresh point of view and up-to-date academic knowledge, which will enhance the everyday work of ENISA.

Who can apply: Nationals of a Member State of the EU or of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, who have completed the first cycle of a higher university education course and obtained a full degree or its equivalent

Duration: 3-12 months

Paid: Yes. Around 1,000€ per month

Starting Dates: Ongoing

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.

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

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.

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

ECB offers several traineeships for various profiles.

For further information please consult their careers page.

The European Court of Auditors organises two traineeship sessions per year in areas of interest to its work.

Who can apply: EU nationals who either hold a recognised university-level diploma or who have completed at least four semesters of university study in an area of interest to the Court (Audit, Budget, Accounting, Administration, Human Resources, Translation, Communication, International Relations, Legal).

Duration: between 3 and 6 months.

Paid:  1 600 euros/month.

Starting Dates: 1 April and 1 October, every year.

The EUIPO offers grant-assisted traineeships to junior staff from national and international industrial property offices. These placements offer technical training in specific areas of IP administration, with particular regard to trade marks and designs. They offer the opportunity to learn about the EUIPO's e-registration services, observe management techniques and strategies and understand EUIPO's databases and technical knowledge. Trainees also work in other specific areas of expertise such as human resources, communications or information technology.

Who can apply: Nationals of EU Member States and from non EU countries, who have completed at least the first cycle of a higher education course certified by an official document from the University and have a working knowledge of one of Office's five working languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish).

Duration: 5 months

Paid: Yes.

Starting Dates: Ongoing

This traineeship programme is intended to provide young professionals with practical experience of the European Union in general and the EUIPO in particular as well as to enable them to put into practice knowledge acquired during their studies and first professional experiences, and in particular in their specific areas of competence.

Who can apply: Nationals of EU Member States and from non EU countries, who have completed at least the first cycle of a higher education course certified by an official document from the University and have a working knowledge of one of Office's five working languages (English, French, German, Italian and Spanish).

Duration: 12 months and 2 weeks.

Paid: Yes.

Starting Dates: Between 1 September and 15 October.