Trainee

Each year around 1,200 young people are offered the chance to increase their professional skills, develop their personal qualities, and enhance their EU knowledge through the EU trainee programmes. The European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the External Action Service, Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Ombudsman organise traineeships for young university graduates, each lasting 3-5 months. Trainees will all have completed their first university degree, and so receive tasks similar to those of the lower administrator grade officials.

Traineeships (or internships) are available in a wide range of fields and offer a great insight into the work of the EU. The content of the job largely depends on the service you are assigned to. Opportunities are available in the fields of competition law, human resources, environmental policy, communication and many more.

The majority of traineeships are paid, usually in the region of 1000€/month and are based in Brussels or Luxembourg.

How do I apply?

Selection procedures for traineeships are run by the individual EU institutions and agencies. Check our Traineeships page for more information. Applications are usually online, but paper copies of the application form are sometimes required. In general, applications are accepted about four to nine months before the beginning of the traineeship and applications should be submitted in good time.