The institution’s employee-centric approach, combined with the kind and considerate attitude among colleagues, creates a genuinely positive environment.
What does your role in the European Parliament involve?
I work in the Transparency Unit of the European Parliament, specifically in the Public Access to Documents (PAD) team. I am a lawyer/case handler, responsible for handling requests for public access to documents submitted by EU citizens under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.
My role mainly involves analysing the scope of each request, consulting the competent services within and outside Parliament, carrying out a legal assessment of the documents falling within the scope of the request in light of the exceptions laid down in the Regulation, and drafting the replies to applicants.
What I enjoy most about my job is that it never gets boring. Our "clients" are the European citizens, who never fail to be the first to find out about scandals and current political developments and to request all kinds of documents related to them.
How would you describe your experience of working in Parliament?
I particularly appreciate the positive working atmosphere and flexible working conditions that promote a good work-life balance. I also appreciate my role, which offers me interesting and important responsibilities while ensuring a very good remuneration.
How has the Parliament contributed to your learning and professional development?
Parliament has supported my learning and development in many ways, especially through its language classes, which have helped me make significant progress in French. I’ve also benefited from targeted training sessions that were specifically tailored to my team’s needs. These initiatives have greatly strengthened my skills and support me in my daily work.
How would you describe the working culture and how does it impact your daily work experience?
The working culture here is strongly based on respect, which makes a remarkable difference in daily life. The institution’s employee-centric approach, combined with the kind and considerate attitude among colleagues, creates a genuinely positive environment. I enjoy coming to the office to interact with my team, while the option to telework also helps me manage my daily obligations more effectively.
What has your experience been of living in Brussels?
Life in Brussels feels like the perfect setting for maintaining a healthy work–life balance. The city is not too small and not too big, offering an international atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to meet new people, while still keeping everything within easy walking distance. This mix makes it easy to plan ahead but also to enjoy spontaneous moments, like an improvised after work drink with colleagues.
What do you think is important for the outside world to know about working in the Parliament?
What’s most important for people to know is the unique combination the Parliament offers: an international, interesting, and dynamic environment with real opportunities for professional development. At the same time, it provides very human working conditions that support a well-balanced life, with free time for art, hobbies, and a rich social life.