Guidance

EU Careers: Job opportunities in the EU Institutions

Updated 17 July 2015

This guidance was withdrawn on 24 January 2017

This page has been withdrawn. The content no longer reflects current government policy. There are no plans to update this information until after the conclusion of the UK’s EU exit negotiations. For more information about the UK leaving the EU visit www.gov.uk/transition.

This publication was withdrawn on 24 January 2017. The content no longer reflects current government policy. There are no plans to update this information until after the conclusion of the UK’s EU exit negotiations. For more information about the UK leaving the EU visit the Department for Exiting the EU website.

1. Background

The government recognises the importance of UK personnel working in the EU institutions as both a channel for UK influence and a way to help generate creative new approaches to EU policy making. This guide sets out what opportunities are available to UK citizens looking to work in the EU Institutions in both Brussels and elsewhere.

The institutions and agencies of the European Union (EU) represent a unique career opportunity. Their work has a direct impact on daily life throughout the Europe, and offers responsibility, variety and real intellectual appeal as well as the social stimulus of working alongside a hugely diverse and dynamic set of colleagues.

2. Overview of the EU institutions

2.1 The European Commission

The largest direct employer among the EU institutions, with some 30,000 employees, the Commission is the EU’s executive arm. It proposes new legislation and supervises its implementation. The commissioners are appointed by the Member States and head up Directorates-General which deal with areas of EU policy such as finance, consumer affairs, competition, transport or agriculture that offer good, varied career opportunities such as drafting and negotiating legislation, translating documents, conducting policy evaluations and research.

2.2 The Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers adopts European legislation and acts as the EU’s primary decision-making body. It comprises government ministers from each Member State – for example, there may be meetings between finance ministers, agriculture ministers or environment ministers. The Council Secretariat is the official body which supports the Council’s work, working with other EU institutions on the legislative process.

2.3 The European Parliament

The European Parliament is directly elected, with Members of European Parliament representing all the citizens of the EU. It plays a key role in scrutinising European legislation, adopting the EU budget and conducting inquiries. Following the Lisbon Treaty, it now has a major decision-making role along with the Council of Ministers. The European Parliament Secretariat fulfils a similar role to that of the Council Secretariat.

3. Why do we want British Nationals in EU institutions?

The government is keen to increase the number of British nationals working in the EU institutions. Merit-based recruitment to secondments in the EU provides excellent opportunities for talented individuals to work in an engaging, multi-national, diverse environment, and to demonstrate their leadership skills, strengthen their EU and geographical expertise and influence a range of policy issues of strategic importance to the UK and wider international objectives.

The government is keen to ensure British nationals are aware of the career opportunities the EU can offer and the support we can provide to help you be well prepared going into the application process.

The government is also keen to increase the number of British nationals working in international organisations. For further information, consult our guidance on working for international organisations.

4. What does a job in the EU institutions offer?

• an international career in an EU institution likely centered on Brussels, Luxembourg or Strasbourg or one of the EU offices across a global network. Working with colleagues from all 28 Member States in a multi-cultural and multi-linguistic environment, you would struggle to find any career that offers a more diverse and stimulating working environment

• the opportunity to make a difference: the EU directly serves the 500 million citizens of Member States, and an EU career means you will help make policy that impacts upon all citizens. The EU is a global actor with an important role on the international stage – the EU is responsible for negotiating the largest trade deals in the world, administering the biggest international aid budget, and overseeing the world’s largest market

• challenging and rewarding work ranging from drafting policy and implementing EU law to managing projects and developing innovative solutions to global problems. Want to help solve the financial crisis, fight the AIDS epidemic or bring about the cold fusion revolution? The EU is the place to work

5. How do I get a job in the EU?

There is a central recruitment process for EU Careers organised by the European Personnel Selection Office(EPSO).

5.1 Recruitment for graduates / professionals

The recruitment process for the EU Institutions is known as ‘the concours’. There is usually an annual graduate entry level competition, as well as ad-hoc specialist competitions. Several years previous experience may be required for the latter.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a citizen of an EU Member State
• have a good knowledge of a second EU language, in addition to English
• have a bachelors degree or be in your final year of study

Details of open competitions and how to apply can be found on the EPSO website.

5.2 Internships

The EU institutions and bodies offer a variety of in-service trainings also called ‘stages’. These internships usually last from 1 to 5 months. If you are considering a career in any of the European institutions, doing an internship will give you a taste of what it actually means to work for the EU. It will also boost your chances for future job applications, as it is very well regarded.

To be eligible, you must:

• have a good knowledge of a second EU language, in addition to English
• have a bachelors degree or be in your final year of study

Details of how to apply for an internship are available on the EPSO website.

5.3 European Fast Stream

The European Fast Stream (EFS) is now a four year programme with the twin aims of increasing UK representation in the EU institutions and building the EU capability within the UK civil service. European Fast Streamers (EFSers) are assigned to UK government departments with strong EU responsibilities and will predominantly be working in EU policy posts but they can also expect to undertake roles aimed at offering them broader corporate and operational experience. EFSers receive training and support aimed at preparing them for the concours process including face-to-face and group French or German language training, an intensive week long EU introductory course, a five month placement in the European Commission or European External Action Service and access to concours preparation tests including practice computer-based tests and mock concours assessment centres.

For full details see the Civil Service Fast Stream website.

5.4 UKRep

The United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union (UKRep) represents the UK in EU negotiations. Working at UKRep offers a challenging, varied and interesting opportunity to work for an organisation at the heart of the decision-making process in the EU.

Further details on opportunities at UKRep can be found here.

5.5 Opportunities for UK civil servants

If you work for the UK civil cervice, there are regular secondment opportunities to the EU Institutions. These are highly regarded within the civil service, and offer a fantastic opportunity to develop new skills and contacts. For details for how to apply, please contact the EU Staffing Unit at eucareers@fco.gov.uk.

5.6 The European External Action Service (EEAS)

There are also opportunities for UK civil servants in the EU External Action Service either as a ‘temporary agents’ or Seconded National Experts. The EEAS is distinct from other EU institutions and requires ‘temporary agents’ to be graduates, have several years experience in their professional field and take special unpaid leave from their parent departments for up to four years. The majority of EEAS opportunities are advertised annually in the Autumn and are aimed primarily at middle to senior management levels. For further details of ‘temporary agent’ positions, please contact the EEAS team in the FCO at EEAS.SecondmentOpportunities@fco.gsi.gov.uk.

6. Want to learn more about EU careers?

The UK government has a team based in London and in Brussels whose role is to support the entry of UK nationals into the EU. They can provide UK nationals with advice, guidance and support throughout your EU career. Please contact eucareers@fco.gov.uk.

If you are interested in a career in the EU, please register your details and we will keep you up to date with the latest job opportunities.

7. Disclaimer

We hope that you find the information on these pages useful. It is intended for general information and is not comprehensive advice which you should rely on. Please note in particular that the information does not contain any promises of future employment within the EU Institutions or endorsement of any kind.

We do not accept liability for any loss or damage arising from use of these pages to the extent that this is permitted by law. Any dispute arising from use of these pages will be subject to the law of England and Wales. The general terms and conditions which relate to information on the GOV.UK website apply to the information on these pages.