AD5 TA vs AD5 Epso

EPSO COMPETITIONS
Nihaku Gastfel Sat, 08/09/2025 - 18:56

Hi,

I am currently on a reserve list for AD5 temporary agent. I hope to be called. Is it worth training for the EPSO competition AD5 Generalist ? And what are the differences between the two status ?

In my current understanding :
- one needs to be in as much reserve lists as possible to eventually get one offer. So of course I should go for AD5 generalist competition anyway.
- And about the status, as temporary agent, there is one period of several years to do, then get a renewal, and at the end of the renewal, I will be permanent official. 
With the AD5 EPSO generalist, after one year, I am permanent official. 
Among all EU civil servants, is everyone aiming to become permanent official as soon as possible, are doign every EPSO competition,  or the Temporary Agents are ok with their status ?

Thanks !

 

I have not heard about

strangequark Tue, 08/12/2025 - 19:35

I have not heard about reserve lists for temporary agents before. Are you sure you're not mixing this up witth having passed a CAST FG IV? 
The advantage of being recruited as a TA is that the salary is the same as for officials (while for contract agents it is typically lower), but no you will absolutely NOT become an official "automatically". If you don't pass a competition (internal or external) you will have to leave after 6 or 7 years. The renewals are inside the 6-7 years period, not after. So your initial contract will be shorter. 
 

For AD5 officials you have to pass a 9 month probation period then you're permanent. 

Thanks for the clarification.

Nihaku Gastfel Thu, 08/14/2025 - 12:02

Thanks for the clarification. I should definitively try to become a permanent official.
The number of candidates for AD5 will be massive !

I don´t know if you

M. Thu, 08/14/2025 - 15:36

I don´t know if you understand well the concept of being a permanent official or a temporary/contract agent.

1. Permanent official: if you pass a competition you´re on a reserve list. Maybe you will never be hired because you´re only on a reserve list. But if you´re ever hired, after the probation period you´re a permanent official and thus you have a job until you retire or otherwise.

2. Temporary agent or contract agent: typically you pass a CAST competition and you´re also on a reserve list. You may be hired as temporary agent in lieu of an official or you´re a contract agent. Both types of contract are temporary and thus limited in time (maximum 6 years, typically, very rarely more). You have to change position and go somewhere else once your maximum time has elapsed.

This is a simplistic explanation because there are more details. In conclusion: being on a reserve list is never a guarantee you will be hired, either as permanent or as temporary/contract agent. Surf around this site because EU training has free videos explaining these concepts and there´s a myriad of posts here in the forum with the same explanation.