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Contract staff

Contract staff in the EU institutions are grouped into different types based on their work and the institution or body they work for. There are specific rules on the length of the contracts. 

Levels and responsibilities

Contract staff positions are grouped in 4 levels, called function groups. Each function group reflects a different level of responsibility and type of work. 

  • Function group I (FG I) - manual work or basic administrative support work
  • Function group II (FG II) - clerical and secretarial work
  • Function group III (FG III) - executive and technical work
  • Function group IV (FG IV) - administrative, advisory, linguistic or similar technical work 

How contract staff are recruited

The Contract Agent Selection Tool (CAST) is a database of candidates for contract staff roles. It is managed by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and you can register your profile at any time. The process works as follows:

  1. Registration

    Create an EPSO account and register for specific function groups and job profiles, such as finance, IT, policy or administration. 

  2. Database

    Once registered, your profile is added to CAST. Recruiters from the EU institutions search this database when they need to fill a vacancy. 

  3. Shortlist

    If your profile matches a specific job, the recruiting institution will shortlist you and invite you to take tests, which are organised by EPSO. 

  4. Tests*
    • verbal reasoning
    • numerical reasoning
    • abstract reasoning

                                  *Tests are not mandatory for all EU institutions and bodies.

  5. Eligible

    If you pass the tests, your results stay valid for several years. This means that other EU institutions may also consider you for similar roles without requiring you to take the tests again. 

  7. Interviews

    You may then be invited for interviews or submit spontaneous applications for contract staff positions. 

Types of contract staff

There are two main types of contract staff: 

  • Article 3a: contract staff working in various function groups (I to IV) under the supervision of permanent staff or temporary staff.
  • Article 3b: contract staff usually recruited for support tasks or short-term needs within the EU institutions. 

The names come from the articles in the EU legal text that sets out the types of contract staff.

Contract length

Article 3a

Article 3a contract staff are generally recruited by agencies or the EU’s offices across the world (known as delegations). 

  • 1st contract: usually between 3 months and 5 years.
  • 1st renewal: may be renewed once for up to 5 years.
  • Minimum duration: the 1st contract and 1st renewal together must last at least 6 months for function group I and at least 9 months for function groups II, III and IV.
  • Indefinite contracts: any renewal after the first renewal must usually be for an indefinite period; for function group I, there is an exception: the institution may decide that a permanent contract is only given after the 4th renewal, as long as the total fixed-term period does not exceed 10 years.
  • Probationary period: for contracts of at least 1 year, a probationary period must be completed: 6 months for function group I and 9 months for the other groups.
  • Language requirement: if you are in function group IV, before an indefinite contract can be renewed, you must show that you can work in a 3rd EU language. 
Article 3b

Article 3b contract staff aregenerally recruited by the European Commission or Parliament.

The total length of service under an Article 3b contract, including any renewals, can’t be more than 6 years in the same institution.