People first - Working at the European Commission

Make a difference

Do you want to help shape the future of European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU? Then come and work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different nationalities, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive working place. Job opportunities range from secretaries, scientists and policymakers to economists, trade negotiators and nuclear inspectors. You can learn more about our staff composition through our official key figures and statistics.

 

Meet more of the Commission's staff

Your next job at the Commission

The Commission offers job opportunities with various types of employment status that range from permanent (civil servants) and non-permanent staff positions to traineeships. 

Permanent staff 

If you are looking for a permanent position, you have to pass an open competition. The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) manages this selection process for all EU institutions. Visit their website to find out how to apply.

Once you pass a competition, any EU institution can recruit you from the reserve list of successful candidates.

Non-permanent staff 

You can also apply for a fixed-term position as temporary or contract staff. Selection procedures vary depending on the staff category and type of contract.

You can find vacancies for temporary and contract staff on EPSO’s website. These include secretarial, specialist and management positions. 

Traineeship  

Twice a year, the European Commission offers 5-month paid traineeships to 1 800 university graduates. These start every March and October. Find out how to become a trainee.

Jobs at the Commission

Life at the European Commission

Jobs at the Commission offer varied and fulfilling careers in a vibrant, multilingual and multicultural environment, excellent learning and career development opportunities, competitive and flexible working conditions and a modern work environment.  

The European Commission is striving to achieve a balanced representation of people from all Members States among its staff. To that end, Joint Action Plans were developed for those nationalities which are currently under-represented at junior Administrator grades. Selection is based on merit and no posts are reserved for any specific nationality. These tailored documents include country-specific analyses of the reasons for the low representation and measures to address it - at national level, at the European Commission level and jointly. 

Consult the Action Plans