Am I eligible to apply?
Do you want to know if you are eligible to apply for an EU career? On this page, you will find out what the minimum eligibility criteria are for applying to an EU post. We also explain what the basic language requirements are for applying to an EU vacancy.
To be eligible to apply for an open competition or a selection procedure you must:
- be a citizen of an EU country
- be entitled to full rights as an EU citizen
- have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws concerning military service in your country
- have thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages (Level C1) and satisfactory knowledge of a second (Level B2) official EU language
- for language competitions, you must have a perfect knowledge of one official EU language (Level C2) and a thorough knowledge of a second and third (Level C1) official EU language
Language requirements:
Language 1 - must be one of the 24 official EU languages
Your main language. It can be your mother tongue or another language of which you have at least a thorough knowledge (level C1) as defined in the European Language Levels – Self-Assessment Grid.
For some competitions/selections, you will need to have a perfect command (level C2) of this language.
Language 2 - must be different from language 1
You need at least a satisfactory knowledge (level B2) of your chosen language.
For some competitions/selections for linguists, you will need to have a thorough knowledge (level C1) of it.
Further languages
For some competitions, selections or calls for expression of interest, notably linguist competitions, other language skills may be requested.
Please refer to the Notice of competition or Call for expression of interest.
Qualifications and professional experience requirements:
You must also meet any specific requirements set out in the relevant competition notice or call for expression of interest regarding qualifications and professional experience.
Please see our Frequently asked question on professional experience and on the different types of qualifications accepted.
Minimum educational requirements vary according to the position.
In general:
- all non-graduate positions (function group I, manual and administrative support; assistant-level/function groups II – clerical/secretarial/office management, function group III - administrative/advisory/ linguistic/technical) require (at least) that you have completed secondary education
- all graduate positions (administrator-level/function group IV) require at least that you have completed university education (of three years).
Relevant work experience may be required in some cases.
Age requirements:
There is no age limit to apply for an EU post, however, officials are automatically retired at 66. For more details, read the Staff Regulations of EU officials.