European Union Traineeships Program – Blue Book Traineeship
The European Union Traineeships Program, commonly known as the Blue Book Traineeship, presents a prestigious opportunity for students to gain high-level professional experience within the European Union. This exclusive traineeship takes place twice a year, offering students the chance to work in the EU’s Directorates-General, agencies, and institutions.
Through this hands-on experience, trainees will engage in real-world assignments, developing expertise in various domains such as competition law, human resources, and environmental policy. They will participate in meetings, group projects, and public hearings, gaining firsthand exposure to the operational mechanisms of globally recognized institutions and the collaborative processes that drive a progressive and sustainable future.
European Commission Traineeship – Overview
The European Commission Traineeship is available twice a year and offers approximately 1,800 paid internship positions. This five-month program runs during two sessions:
- March to July
- October to February
Trainees can choose between administrative or translation roles, working in a dynamic and multicultural environment while gaining insight into EU policymaking.
The Blue Book Traineeship begins on March 1 or October 1 each year. Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week, immersing themselves in the EU’s operational and legislative frameworks. Applications for the European Commission internship are submitted online.
European Union Traineeship – Key Details
- Offered By: European Commission
- Duration: 5 months
Benefits of the European Union Traineeship
Selected candidates will enjoy the following advantages:
- Comprehensive insight into the policies and procedures of European institutions.
- A meaningful role in contributing to the Commission’s daily operations.
- A practical learning experience, bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice.
- A monthly living allowance of €1,252.68 for the 2024 sessions.
- Reimbursement of visa costs and medical expenses related to the traineeship.
- Coverage of travel expenses, making the experience more accessible.
Eligibility for the European Commission Traineeship
The European Commission traineeship is open to all EU citizens, regardless of age, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. A limited number of spots are also available for non-EU nationals.
This program is designed for university graduates who:
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Hold a university degree: Candidates must have completed a minimum 3-year higher education program (EQF level 6 or higher), equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree. Only applicants with an official diploma or a university-issued certificate confirming degree completion are eligible to apply. The required documents include:
- Diplomas or certificates with clearly stated final grades
- Proof of achieving at least EQF level 6 (Learn more about EQF levels)
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Have limited prior work experience: Applicants must not have more than six weeks of prior work experience in any EU institution, agency, delegation, or body, including roles with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or Advocates General at the EU Court of Justice (EUCJ).
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Possess strong language skills:
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For administrative traineeships: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in two official EU languages. One must be a procedural language (English, French, or German) at C1 or C2 level (as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), while the second must be at least B2 level.
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For non-EU nationals, only one procedural language at C1 or C2 level is required.
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For translation traineeships (Directorate-General for Translation – DGT): Applicants must be able to translate into their main/target language (typically their mother tongue) from two other official EU languages. At least one of these source languages must be English, French, or German.
- The main/target language must be an official EU language.
- The first source language must be an EU working language (English, French, or German).
- The second source language can be any official EU language, with at least B2-level proficiency.
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European Commission Traineeship – Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed anonymously based on the following criteria, ranked in order of importance:
- Educational background: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is required.
- Language proficiency: A strong command of at least one of the three working languages of the European Commission (English, French, or German) is mandatory.
- Additional language skills: Proficiency in other EU official/working languages or any non-EU languages (for non-EU applicants, only one procedural language is required).
- Relevant work experience (if applicable).
- International exposure: Experience in education, work, or volunteering abroad, as well as an ability to adapt to multicultural environments (if applicable).
- Motivation and quality of reasoning behind the application.
- Specialized fields of study that are less common.
- Academic papers and publications (if applicable).
How to Apply for the European Commission Traineeship
To apply for this prestigious traineeship program, follow the steps below:
STEP 1: Register
Click the Apply button below to register on the application platform and begin your application.
For any questions regarding your EU Login (European Commission’s authentication system), refer to the EU Login FAQ page or contact eu-login-external-support@ec.europa.eu.
STEP 2: Complete Your Application
Log in and fill out the application form. You are not required to complete everything in a single session—you can save your progress and return later to finish and upload the necessary supporting documents.
STEP 3: Submit Your Application
Before finalizing, the system will display an overview of your application and indicate any missing sections. Once all fields are fully and correctly completed, you may proceed with submission. No further modifications will be possible after submission.
Confirmation of Submission
Upon successfully submitting your application, a confirmation receipt will appear on your screen, along with your candidate number. This serves as proof that your application has been correctly submitted.
Important: It is strongly advised not to wait until the last few days to submit your application.
Next Steps After Submission
Once your application is submitted, it will go through an evaluation process. You will be informed of the results via email.
If your application is accepted, you will be invited to apply for available traineeship positions.
STEP 4: Apply for a Traineeship
Selected candidates will receive instructions on how to access the Virtual Blue Book (VBB) portal, where Commission services and agencies post various traineeship opportunities.
Next Steps:
- Carefully review the job descriptions and position details.
- Mark multiple positions as favorites if interested.
- You may apply for up to three traineeship positions.
- Applications for traineeship positions in VBB will be open for one week.
- Each post will be limited to a maximum of 25 candidates before being removed from the list.
Reminder: Do not wait until the last few days to apply. Positions will be removed as soon as the maximum number of applications is reached or after one week.
Required Supporting Documents
Your application must include:
- A copy of a valid ID card or passport
- A copy of your university degree(s) (completed before the application deadline)
- Proof of ongoing studies, exchange programs, or participation in EU/international programs, seminars, or workshops
- Documentation supporting all declared language skills (except for your native language)
- Evidence of all declared work experience
- Copies of any declared publications
Application Deadline
Deadline: March 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM (Brussels time)
For further details on the European Commission Traineeship Program, please visit the official website here.
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