There is no point in applying if you do not meet all the general and all the specific eligibility conditions.
Is there an age limit on applying?
There is no age limit, however officials are automatically retired at 66. For more details, read the Staff Regulations of EU Officials.
Can I apply if I am over-qualified for the position?
The Notice of Competition or Call for expressions of interest describes the minimum requirements in terms of qualifications and professional experience. It also describes the nature of the duties you may be required to perform.
Anyone who meets at least these minimum requirements and whose qualifications/experience are relevant to the duties in question may apply.
Please note that if you have additional qualifications and/or professional experience, you can only be recruited at the grade/function group and for the profile indicated in the Notice or Call.
For example, if you have a bachelor's degree you may still apply for an assistants' selection procedure. You should carefully read the nature of the duties, however, to ensure that you have the right experience and motivation to perform the duties required.
Where can I find further information on the tests?
The complete list of tests for a specific selection procedure is available in the notice of competition/call for expression of interest.
You can find some samples of the different tests on our website on the dedicated page.
With the exception of the sample tests, EPSO does not provide any preparatory learning material or guidance regarding taking the tests. Some Member States organise courses for training EU nationals for the European Institutions' open competitions. To find out more, please check the information on the same page.
What is an Assessment Centre?
The purpose of the Assessment Centre is to assess your general and/or specific competencies by means of different exercises, the content of which is validated by the selection board: a case study, an oral presentation, a structured interview, an interview in the field, an e-tray, etc. For detailed information about the tests and the test languages, see the notice of competition. Please check here for more information on the general competencies.
During each exercise, you will be observed/evaluated in a systematic way by at least 2 trained assessors. Your final results are based on the evaluation of each competency tested through the Assessment Centre exercises.
For organisational reasons, the case study may be organised in test centres in the Member States, separately from the other Assessment Centre tests.
The other Assessment Centre tests will normally be held remotely. Exceptionally, a certain part of the Assessment Centre may take place in Brussels or Luxembourg at the address communicated in the invitation letter.
Are travel costs reimbursed?
EPSO does not contribute to any travel expenses incurred by your participation in any computer-based tests or preliminary/intermediate tests (i.e. multiple choice question tests, e-tray exercise and translation tests).
Candidates invited to the case study or to a written test in the field having an address of residence in a country outside the EU are entitled to claim a contribution towards their travel expenses if these tests are part of the assessment center (please refer to the relevant notice of competition).
When you participate to the assessment centre tests you may, if you are eligible, request a contribution for your travel expenses, but not a reimbursement of all expenses actually incurred (Article 2). In addition, as regards subsistence costs, a contribution is foreseen only if the various tests at the assessment centre take place over two consecutive days or are separated by a maximum of three days (Article 6). You will not receive any contribution to the accommodation costs for the night before or the night after the assessment centre in accordance with the rules below:
- Rules on financial contributions towards travel and subsistence expenses for persons invited to tests organised as part of a competition or selection procedure, or to an interview or medical examination (applies to selection procedures published from 1 January 2018)
Important: Please note that you have 3 months from the date of your test to send the whole request for a contribution towards travel/subsistence expenses.
As a general rule, the address of residence indicated in your EPSO account will be used as the basis for the calculation.
If you are eligible please:
- fill in the documents (legal entity form (select "Natural person") and Financial identification form);
- print and sign them;
- ask your bank to stamp the financial identification form;
- print, fill in and sign the "contribution form";
- send the above documents with a copy of your identity card or passport, and proof of travel and/or accommodation to:
European Personnel Selection Office
Travel expenses candidates
L-107
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
To know more on how to apply for a contribution to travel and/or subsistence expenses, please visit this related question.
How do I apply for a contribution to travel and/or subsistence expenses?
On the day of the Assessment Centre, please bring:
- the three forms below (completed and signed);
- a copy of your identity card (both sides if applicable) or passport;
- travel documents.
The following documents will be accepted as supporting documents:
- plane: boarding pass or a copy of your ticket (the invoice alone is not sufficient);
- train, bus, boat: copy of the ticket (the invoice alone is not sufficient);
- car: the original of a fuel bill and/or toll ticket (proof of payment must be dated no more than 2 days, prior to the date when the candidate takes part in the assessment centre and from a road leading to the Assessment Centre).
If these documents are not provided, your request will be refused.
- a hotel bill, if you are entitled to a contribution to accommodation expenses (see section 6 of the rules).
If you do not yet have all these documents on the day of your tests, you can send your complete file by post to:
If your test centre is in Brussels:
European Personnel Selection Office
Travel expenses candidates
L-107
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
Or
If your test centre is in Luxembourg:
EPSO - EU Careers
European Parliament, Konrad Adenauer (KAD) building
15 Av. John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
The address in your EPSO account must be your official residential address at the time of the selection procedure. We recommend that you keep copies of all documents.
When you participate to the Assessment Centre tests you may, if you are eligible, request a contribution for your travel expenses, but not a reimbursement of all expenses actually incurred (Article 2). In addition, as regards subsistence costs, a contribution is foreseen only if the various tests at the Assessment Centre take place over two consecutive days or are separated by a maximum of three days (Article 6). You will not receive any contribution to the accommodation costs for the night before or the night after the Assessment Centre, in accordance with the rules below:
- Rules on financial contributions towards travel and subsistence expenses, for persons invited to tests organised as part of a competition or selection procedure, or to an interview or medical examination (applies only to selection procedures published from 1 January 2018).
Important: Please note that you have 3 months from the date of your test, to send the whole request for a contribution towards travel/subsistence expenses.
Important documents:
- Request for contribution form
- Legal entity form (LEF): select "Natural person"
What are the instructions for sitting the computer-based tests?
The instructions for sitting the CBT will be provided first via your EPSO account and afterwards via the external contractor through email.