EPSO blog — page 2
Article 50 TEU Explained: The Withdrawal Clause
How a Member State leaves the EU: notification, negotiation, the two-year clock and what Brexit proved — with the exam traps EPSO builds from Article 50.
Articles 101 & 102 TFEU Explained: EU Competition Rules
Cartels under Article 101, abuse of dominance under Article 102 — the two pillars of EU competition law and the distinctions the EPSO EU Knowledge test probes.
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.
Article 258 TFEU Explained: The Infringement Procedure
How the Commission pursues Member States that break EU law — the reasoned opinion, the referral to the Court, and the 258/259/260 distinctions EPSO tests.
Article 267 TFEU Explained: Preliminary Rulings
How the preliminary ruling procedure really works — who may refer, who must refer, and the 'it is not an appeal' trap EPSO builds EU Knowledge questions from.
Article 288 TFEU Explained: Regulations, Directives, Decisions
The five EU legal acts and exactly how they bind — the single most tested article in the EPSO EU Knowledge syllabus, with the trap matrix.
Articles 289 and 294 TFEU Explained: The Ordinary Legislative Procedure
Article 289 defines the ordinary legislative procedure and Article 294 runs it. Commission proposal, two readings, conciliation — and the who-does-what traps the EPSO EU Knowledge test builds from the OLP.
Article 45 TFEU Explained: Free Movement of Workers
What Article 45 TFEU actually guarantees, the public-service exception, and how EPSO tests it — with the traps the EU Knowledge test loves.
Council of the EU vs European Council vs Council of Europe
Three 'Councils', three different things — the single most tested confusion in the EPSO EU Knowledge test, settled with the treaty articles.
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 EUFTE Written Test: Format, Document Types & Strategy
The EUFTE written test explained: 40 minutes, Language 2, the 5 official evaluation anchors, the 5 document types EPSO assigns, and a template for each.
EPSO Preparation 2026: The Complete Guide
Every EPSO test explained — formats, pass marks, scoring weights and a 12-week preparation plan. For AD5 generalist, AD7/AST specialist and CAST candidates.
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.
11 Free EPSO Practice Resources That Actually Help (2026)
Free EPSO practice tests, official sample material, planning tools and study sources — 11 resources worth your time in 2026, and what each one is best for.
TEU vs TFEU: Which Treaty Does What?
The two founding treaties of the EU, told apart in five minutes — same legal value, different jobs, and the mapping every EPSO EU Knowledge candidate needs.
DigComp 3.0 Explained: The Complete Guide to the EU Digital Competence Framework (and What Changed from 2.2)
DigComp is the EU's official framework for digital skills. This complete, plain-language guide explains what it is, where it came from, how it's structured, and everything that changed in the new DigComp 3.0 (2025) versus DigComp 2.2. Verified against the official JRC source.
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.
EPSO 2026 competition calendar: all competitions and deadlines
All EPSO 2026 competitions: AD5 (1,490 posts), AD7 ICT and Audit, CAST Permanent and announced competitions. References, vacancies, deadlines and test dates. Updated 2026.
EPSO Digital Skills: the guide to the test and the DigComp framework
The EPSO Digital Skills test (40 questions, 30 minutes) is based on DigComp: 5 areas and 21 competencies. What to actually study and how to prepare. Verified 2026 guide.
EUFTE: how to pass the EPSO competition written test
EUFTE (Free-Text Essay on EU matters): the EPSO written test in 40 minutes. Real format, what is assessed, the five official criteria and the preparation method. 2026 Guide.
EPSO Verbal Reasoning: the complete guide to the highest-weighted test
How the EPSO Verbal Reasoning works (AD5 2026): real format, 20 questions in 35 minutes, distractor traps and the answering method. Verified guide.
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.