Not all EPSO competitions are the same
"I want to work for the EU" is the starting point. But the first concrete decision is: which competition? AD5, AD7, AST, AST-SC, CAST are not levels of the same path — they are different entry points, with different requirements, salaries, and contract types.
Choosing the right one for your profile is the difference between applying with real chances and wasting months of preparation on the wrong competition. This guide compares everything, using verified data.
Comparison table
| Profile | For whom | Minimum requirements | Contract | Initial gross salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD5 | Recent graduates | 3-year degree, no experience | Permanent | ~6,153 € |
| AD7 | Specialists | Relevant degree + 5-9 years experience | Permanent | ~7,876 € |
| AST | Assistants | Diploma + relevant experience | Permanent | ~3,754 € |
| AST-SC | Secretarial staff | High school diploma + experience | Permanent | ~3,292 € |
| CAST | Contract agents | Variable by Function Group | Fixed-term (max 6 years) | Variable (FG I-IV) |
(Initial salaries according to the official table in force from 1 July 2025.)
AD5 — the entry point for recent graduates
For whom: those who have completed university and want to start a career in the EU institutions.
Requirements: a degree of at least 3 years. For the AD5 2026 competition, no professional experience is required — it is explicitly the entry category for recent graduates (requirements may vary for other competitions). Thorough knowledge of one EU language (Language 1, C1) and satisfactory knowledge of a second (Language 2, B2) are required.
Role: supporting decision-makers in the development and implementation of policies, or in resource management, within multicultural teams. The AD career path ranges from grade AD5 up to AD16.
Contract: permanent official. Starting salary: ~6,153 € gross per month.
AD7 — for experienced specialists
For whom: professionals with several years of experience in a specific field (ICT, audit, law, economics…).
Requirements: a relevant degree plus experience in the field. The exact number of years depends on the qualification: in the 2026 ICT competition, for example, requirements range from 5 years (with a five-year degree) up to 9 years (with a three-year degree in another field). Languages: one at C1 level + another at B2.
Role: specialist administrator. The 2026 ICT competition, for example, has 4 fields (ICT infrastructure, ICT project management, cloud and networks, data science) and you apply for only one.
Contract: permanent official. Starting salary: ~7,876 € gross per month.
AST and AST-SC — assistance and secretarial staff
For whom: those without a degree but with experience, who are seeking a permanent position within the institutions.
AST (Assistant): executive and technical support tasks — administrative, financial, communication, research. Requirements: high school diploma with relevant experience, or a relevant professional qualification (details vary by call for applications). Career path from grade AST1 to AST11. Starting salary ~3,754 € (AST1).
AST-SC (Secretaries/Clerks): office management and administrative support — preparing files, document management, department coordination. Requirements: high school diploma + experience. Career path from grade SC1 to SC6. Starting salary ~3,292 € (SC1).
Both are permanent official contracts.
CAST — the contract path
For whom: those seeking a faster entry (also to gain experience), accepting a fixed-term contract.
How it works: CAST Permanent is not a competition with a deadline, but a continuous registration. You sign up for a candidate database (updating your profile every 6 months to remain visible), and institutions select you when they need a profile like yours. This is followed by multiple-choice and competency tests, and an interview with the hiring institution.
Four Function Groups for increasing levels of responsibility:
| Function Group | Role | Education Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| FG I | Manual and administrative support | Compulsory education |
| FG II | Office and secretarial duties | Post-secondary or secondary diploma + access |
| FG III | Executive, drafting, accounting, technical tasks | Post-secondary or secondary diploma + experience |
| FG IV | Administrative, advisory, linguistic, technical tasks | Degree of at least 3 years |
Contract: fixed-term, maximum 6 years in the same institution (an open-ended contract is only possible in some bodies, such as agencies and delegations). Test validity: passing the reasoning tests is valid for 10 years, while competency tests are valid for 5 years. Registration does not guarantee a position.
Does CAST become AD? No (not automatically)
A common misconception: thinking that CAST is an automatic springboard to a permanent position. It is not. Contract agents and permanent officials are separate categories. To become AD or AST, a CAST agent must win an open competition just like any external candidate.
The word "permanent" in "CAST Permanent" refers only to the always-open registration, not to the duration of the contract. Nevertheless, CAST remains an excellent way to enter the institutions, gain experience, and become familiar with the EU environment — which is also useful for better preparing for a future permanent competition.
How to choose
- Are you a recent graduate with a degree? → AD5.
- Do you have a degree + years of specialist experience? → AD7 in your field.
- Do you have a diploma and experience, but no degree? → AST or AST-SC.
- Do you want a quick entry or experience within the institutions? → CAST (accepting the fixed-term contract).
- Do you have a degree but want to start immediately while waiting for a competition? → CAST FG IV as a bridge.
For full details on the AD5 selection — the largest of 2026 — read the complete guide to the EPSO 2026 competition. And to understand how much you actually earn in each category, see the EU officials' salary guide.
In summary
Choosing the right competition depends on your profile:
- AD5 = recent graduates, no experience, permanent.
- AD7 = specialists with experience, permanent, higher salary.
- AST/AST-SC = diploma + experience, permanent.
- CAST = fixed-term contract, continuous registration, faster entry.
Apply for the competition that is right for you, not the one that seems most prestigious on paper.
