The competition model for selecting permanent positions (civil servants) within EU institutions is a structured process managed by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). It encompasses several steps to identify employees for various roles, either in a profile where you bring broad knowledge and competencies (sometimes called generalist) or a dedicated job as a specialist.

Key features:

• Types and differences:
  • Generalist competitions: Open to graduates with any time of diploma from university, no requirement for professional experience. Successful candidates may start as an administrator (AD) in salary grade AD5.
  • Specialist competitions: Targeted professional fields, relevant professional experience required. These are open to graduates and non-graduates. Successful candidates may start as an administrator (AD) in salary grade AD5 or an assistant (AST) in salary grade AST3.
• Notice of Competition: The process begins with a published notice detailing job profiles, duties, eligibility criteria and outlining the selection procedure.
• Self-Assessment: Applicants can use the Experience Assessment Survey Instrument (EASI) to check their eligibility based on qualifications and experience. Results shared only with the person inserting the data.
• Application process: Applicants apply via the Single Candidate Portal, which is also the main channel for communications throughout the entire process.
• Testing:
  • Reasoning Skills tests consists of three parts (Verbal, Numerical and Abstract) with a pass/fail outcome.
  • EU Knowledge or Field-related tests: Generalist competitions require passing an EU knowledge test, while specialists complete a field-related multiple-choice questionnaire.
  • Digital Skills tests: If relevant and mentioned in the Notice of Competition.
  • Written test focuses on communication skills, replacing the case study since 2024. The case study only remains for some ongoing competitions, assessing drafting abilities.
• Eligibility checks: Conducted at a certain stage to ensure compliance with requirements, evaluating language proficiency and other criteria before you can be added to the list of successful and recruitable candidates (called Reserve list).
• Reserve list is a database of ready to be recruited successful candidates, serving EU institutions for recruitment needs.
• Request for review: You may request a review of the test results if there has been a perceived error or procedural breach impacting the outcome of results.

Duration and additional resources:

• The total duration of the process can vary significantly, depending on the competition steps.
• You are advised to review staff regulations, EPSO’s FAQs for further information.

EPSO’s recently restructured its processes, notably removing tests taking place in person in assessment centres and continuously reflects efforts to further optimise and modernise recruitment within the EU institutions.​