The EU institutions select candidates for permanent contracts through open competitions. These are tests and assessment exercises designed to measure your professional skills and a number of core competencies. In view of the very large number of applicants, this is the fairest and most transparent selection procedure. This means that spontaneous applications cannot be taken into account.

The EU institutions select candidates for permanent contracts through the organisation of open competitions. Each of these competitions is announced by the publication of a Notice of Competition in the Official Journal of the European Union, as well as on EPSO’s website. The Notice of Competition contains a full description of the profile sought, the minimum requirements as regards education (and sometimes work experience) and indicates the tests and other assessment exercises (designed to measure your professional skills and a number of core competencies) that will take place during the competition. The Notice of Competition also includes information and instructions on how to apply for the open competition. In general, the Notice of Competition is published on the first day of the application period.

In view of the very large number of applicants, EPSO deems that this is the fairest and most transparent method for selection procedures. Spontaneous applications cannot therefore be taken into account.

The 'reserve list' is a database containing information on the profile, competencies, and availability of all the successful candidates in a particular selection procedure. 

Being on a reserve list is not a guarantee of recruitment, but on average 50% of candidates are recruited within 7 months. 

For more info please see also: For how long is my reserve list valid?

Each selection procedure (competition) for permanent EU officials has its own selection board. Each selection board is composed of officials from the EU institutions and bodies served by EPSO. Officials join the selection board on a voluntary basis, following a dedicated call for interest. Selection board members are nominated formally by their organisation of origin. They must have no conflict of interest as regards their competition in order to be confirmed as members of the selection board.

The members of the selection board are EU officials appointed by their organisations of origin to a particular competition for their technical or linguistic expertise, for example.

Nominated selection board members are trained on selection and assessment methodologies before they take up their duties and continue to receive specific training and guidance from EPSO’s team of psychologists during the different stages of their competition.

Selection boards decide on the difficulty of the competition tests and approve their content, assess the candidates’ compliance with the specific eligibility criteria, compare candidates’ merits, and select the best candidates in the light of the requirements set out in the notice of competition. The proceedings of the selection boards are secrete and their work is facilitated by EPSO.

An administrator career covers grades AD 5 to AD 16. 

AD 5 is generally the entry level for University graduates.  In most cases, no professional experience is required.

Selection and recruitment may also be offered at AD 6 / AD 7 for specialist roles. Several years' relevant experience will be required. 

AD 9 / AD 12 is middle management level. Selection/recruitment at these grades requires previous management experience.

See the European Parliament's website for information about parliamentary assistants working for Members of the European Parliament.

See also the individual websites of the Political Groups for information about their own recruitment procedures.

Are there opportunities for freelance linguists?

To become a freelance translator

• for the European Commission, please consult the notices of call for tenders.
• for the Court of Justice, consult the contract notices.  

To become a freelance interpreter at the European Commission, the European Parliament or the European Court of Justice, please see Interpreting for Europe.

No, in order to be eligible you must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union on the date of validation of your application form. A valid residence permit is not considered proof of citizenship.

More information on what it means to be an EU citizen can be found here: EU citizenship: Rights and opportunities (europa.eu)

There is no point in applying if you do not meet all the general and all the specific eligibility conditions.

There is no age limit, however officials are automatically retired at 66. For more details, read the Staff Regulations of EU Officials.