Traineeships in the EU institutions, agencies and bodies
EU traineeships offer graduates a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience within the European Union institutions, agencies and bodies. Traineeship programmes typically last five months and are paid, with a monthly allowance of around €1,400, depending on the institution.
Trainees contribute to projects across diverse fields, from public administration, law, and cybersecurity to digital transformation, health, climate policy, economics, translation, communication, and human resources. They gain practical insight into EU decision-making, develop professional skills, and work on policies that shape the lives of millions in a multicultural and dynamic environment.
Each EU institution manages its own selection and recruitment procedures.
Explore available traineeship opportunities by selecting from the various EU institutions, bodies, and agencies below
Interpreting Traineeships - Court of Justice of the European Union
Interpreting traineeships are primarily aimed at newly qualified conference interpreters whose language combination is of interest to the Interpretation Directorate. The aim is to enable newly qualified interpreters to be supervised as they perfect their interpreting skills, particularly in legal interpreting, which involves the preparation of case-files, terminological research and practical exercises in a ‘silent booth'.
Who can apply: Newly qualified EU nationals conference interpreters with a diploma in conference interpreting.
Applicants must have at least two passive EU languages or a second active EU language. Applicants must also be able to read French.
Also, applicants must have not already held a post or undertaken a traineeship – either paid or unpaid – lasting more than six weeks in an EU institution or body
Duration: 10-12 weeks (applications to be made once a year between July and September).
Paid: Yes. The same as the general program.
To apply, check the eligibility criteria and find out about the precise application deadlines, visit: EU CV Online.
More information: https://curia.europa.eu/site/jcms/d2_5152/en/traineeshipsTraineeships - EEAS
The EU has a long tradition of offering traineeship opportunities in EU Delegations around the world. Traineeships are essentially established for the benefit of students and young graduates. It is an educational project that does not foresee any contractual or employment relationship with the Delegation.
Who can apply: Depending on a specific pillar, traineeships in EU Delegations are open to EU citizens, citizens from candidate countries that have concluded EU accession negotiations and nationals of the host country. For paid traineeships, applicants must have graduated from a university or equivalent higher-education establishment with at least a Bachelor's level; for unpaid compulsory traineeships, applicants shall be 3rd , 4th or 5th year students of a University or another higher-education establishment. Candidates must have the capacity to speak in the working language of the EU Delegation, knowledge of the official language of the host country would be an asset.
Duration: Maximum 6 months
Paid: for young graduates with less than one year of professional experience.
Unpaid compulsory traineeship: for students already residing and studying in the host country.
Traineeships - Court of Justice of the European Union
Every year, the Court of Justice of the European Union offers a limited number of paid traineeships in the chambers of Members of the Court of Justice and the General Court of the European Union and in the administrative departments of the Court.
Traineeships at the Court of Justice of the European Union are offered across a wide range of administrative and support services. These include directorates responsible for human resources, budget and financial affairs, buildings and security, multilingualism (legal translation and interpretation), library services, research and documentation, communication, protocol and visits, and information technology, as well as units such as projects and terminological coordination. Opportunities are also available within the office of the Legal Adviser on Administrative Matters and the registries of both the Court of Justice and the General Court.
Who can apply: EU nationals who have obtained a three-year bachelor's degree in any subject.
For the traineeships undertaken in the chambers of Judges or Advocates Generals and for certain services, a diploma in law, political sciences, (economics or an associated field is required.
Applicants must have a thorough knowledge of one official language of the European Union and a good knowledge of another official language. In view of the nature of the working environment, a good knowledge of French or English is necessary.
Also, applicants must have not already held a post or undertaken a traineeship – either paid or unpaid – lasting more than six weeks in an EU institution or body
Duration: 5 months.
Paid: Yes. Trainees receive a grant of approximately €2 400 per month (equivalent to 75% of the minimum social wage for a skilled worker in Luxembourg). This grant is not subject to the tax regime applicable to EU officials and other agents.
Under certain conditions, trainees will receive a one-time travel allowance, currently set at €150.
Starting Dates:
- 1st of March to 31st of July (applications to be made between July and September of the previous year)
- 1st of October to the end of February (applications to be made between February and April of each year)
To apply, check the eligibility criteria and find out about the precise application deadlines, visit: EU CV Online.
More information: https://curia.europa.eu/site/jcms/d2_5152/en/traineeshipsTraineeships - Court of Auditors
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.
More information: https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/traineeshipcomplet.aspx