EU careers
Before the tests come the questions that decide whether you should sit them at all. Which competition matches your degree and your years of experience. Whether CAST is a shortcut or a different road entirely. What "reserve list" means in practice, and how long a name stays on one.
This section answers the ones candidates ask before committing a year of evenings: the eligibility checklist, the difference between a lawyer and a lawyer-linguist, which second language actually helps you, and the salary — the grade, the step, the expatriation allowance and what is left after the Union tax.
Every figure here is anchored to a source: the Staff Regulations for pay and grades, the notices of competition for requirements, EPSO itself for procedure. Where an amount changes with the annual adjustment, the guide says which year it is quoting.
EU Competitions 2026: What Is Open, What Closed, and How to Get In
Which EU competitions are still to open in 2026, which have already closed, the three entry routes, the real requirements, what the job pays, and where the ranking is actually decided.
EPSO AD5 vs CAST: Which Should You Apply For?
Permanent official via AD5 or contract agent via CAST? Tests, timelines, salary logic and career paths compared — and why the real answer is often both.
EPSO CAST 2026: Tests, Profiles & How to Pass
How CAST Permanent really works: the three reasoning tests, function groups FG II–IV, the 10-year validity rule and the strategy that gets you recruited.
EPSO Reserve List: What Actually Happens After You Pass
Passing an EPSO competition puts you on a reserve list — not in a job. How institutions recruit from the list, what you control, and how to get contacted.
How to Register with EPSO: Your First Steps to an EU Career (Beginner's Guide)
Never applied to the EU before? This is the very first step. We explain every acronym in plain language and walk you through creating your account — EU Login, EPSO Account, the Single Candidate Portal — using a CAST contract-agent application as a worked example. Verified against official EU sources.
AD5, AD7, AST or CAST: which EPSO competition is right for you
AD5, AD7, AST, AST-SC or CAST: requirements, salaries, contract types and selection process compared. The guide to choosing the right EPSO competition. 2026 verified.
EU official salary: the complete guide for those dreaming of Bruxelles
How much does an EU official earn? Real salaries for AD5, AST and AD7 in Bruxelles: gross, net, allowances and career progression. Official data updated 2026.
ECB Graduate Programme vs EPSO Economist: Two EU Pipelines
Two different routes into EU economist careers. ECB Graduate Programme (PhD, Frankfurt, 2-year contract) vs EPSO AD6 (Master's, Brussels, permanent).
EPSO Lawyer vs Lawyer-Linguist: The Difference Explained
Lawyer-linguist and Lawyer specialist competitions are two different EU careers. Eligibility, tests, language regime, and which one fits your profile.
EPSO AST Competitions: The Complete Guide to EU Assistant Careers
AST competitions offer a realistic path into EU institutions for candidates without a university degree. Learn the requirements, test format, salary range, and how AST careers compare to AD positions.
EPSO Secretarial Competitions (AST/SC): Roles, Requirements, and How to Get In
EU institutions recruit secretarial and clerical staff through AST/SC competitions. Learn what the role involves, the entry requirements, the test format, salary expectations, and why this career path deserves more attention.
EPSO Eligibility Requirements: The Complete Checklist Before You Apply
Before you start preparing for EPSO, make sure you are eligible. This guide covers nationality, degree requirements, language rules, and the most common application errors that disqualify candidates.
EPSO and Languages: Which Language 2 Gives You the Best Advantage?
Your Language 2 choice affects your EPSO exam performance and your career in EU institutions. Learn how English, French, and German compare — and how multilingualism shapes your EU career prospects.
EPSO Reserve List: What Actually Happens After You Pass?
Passing the EPSO competition puts you on a reserve list — not in a job. Here is exactly how recruitment from reserve lists works, how long it takes, and what geographical balance guiding rates mean for candidates.
Working in Brussels: What to Expect as an EU Official
What life in Brussels actually looks like as an EU official — neighborhoods, salary, international community, work-life balance, and why thousands of professionals call it home.
The 7 EU Institutions: What Each One Does (and Why It Matters for Your Exam)
A clear, exam-focused guide to the 7 EU institutions — what each does, where they sit, and how they interact. Essential knowledge for the EPSO EU Knowledge test.
€7,137/Month + Lifelong Job Security: What an EU Career Actually Pays
Beyond base salary: expatriation and household allowances, pension rights, and total pay that can top €23,000/month at senior grades. The full EU pay breakdown.
CAST Permanent: Your Always-Open Door to EU Institutions
Unlike open competitions, CAST Permanent has no deadline. With 111,125 candidates and 190,014 applications in the database (end-2024) across the four Function Groups, it's the most accessible entry point to an EU career. Here's how it works.