EPSO AD5 Graduates 2026: Applications Open

The long-awaited Notice of Competition has finally been published. The European Selection Office is running an AD5 Administrator competition to create a reserve list for EU institutions, bodies and agencies.

Eligibility is straightforward: you need completed university studies of at least three years. This is the bit most candidates will like: no professional experience is required. And the reserve list number does not disappoint. Scroll down for full details

Considering whether to apply? Save yourself some time and start with a walkthrough of the Notice of Competition with András Baneth. Join our free live webcast to find out what EPSO is asking for at each stage: the application steps, the selection tests, weighting of scores, and what to focus on in your preparation.

Join our dedicated EPSO Facebook group to compare notes with other candidates, ask questions, and keep up with the latest EPSO updates: EPSO Administrator Generalist Exams (AD5)

Starting your EPSO prep on a budget? EU Training has a solid set of free resources: sample questions, webinars, and expert advice from our trainers - so you can build a strong base before you spend anything.

• Free practice questions when you register an account on EU Training - 5 each of Verbal, Numerical and Abstract reasoning.
• View free, on-demand webinars here - Beginner's reasoning skills series included.
• Tips & Tricks from the experts:
  • EPSO applications
  • EPSO Reasoning skills
  • EPSO EUFTE
  • EU Knowledge resources

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Competition Snapshot

• Open for Applications: 5 February 2026
• Application Deadline: 10 March 2026 at 12:00 PM (Brussels time)
  • ​Applications can be submitted in any of the 24 official EU languages
• EPSO reference number: EPSO/AD/427/26
• Grade: AD5
• Profile: Graduate administrators
• Reserve list places: 1490

Find Annex II in the Notice of Competition to read all about what duties will be expected of you as an AD5 administrator working in the EU institutions.

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

General criteria:

• Have EU citizenship
• Fulfilled any military service requirements
• Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned

Language Requirements 

Candidates must know at least two official EU languages.

• Language 1: Minimum C1 level of one of the 24 official EU languages (regardless of your citizenship).
• Language 2: Any of the remaining 23 official languages of the EU at a minimum level of B2. 

Language 1 and Language 2 must be different.

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SELECTION PROCESS

1. APPLICATION

To apply, candidates need to complete their application via the Single Candidate Portal by 10 March 2026 at 12:00 (midday), Brussels time. A valid ID must also be uploaded by this deadline. You can submit your application in any of the EU’s 24 official languages.

In addition, any more supporting documents helping to back up the statements in your application must be scanned, uploaded, and linked to your EPSO profile by 7 October 2026 at 12:00 (midday), Brussels time.

2. TESTS

All candidates who have validated their applications on time will be invited to sit a series of tests:

REASONING TESTS | Language 1

• Numerical reasoning and abstract reasoning are pass/fail and do not count for the preliminary score, nor for the final score.
• Verbal reasoning counts for both the preliminary and final scores and carries a weight of 35% in the final score

EU Knowledge MCQ | Language 2

• Multiple-choice test on the EU, its institutions, procedures and main policy areas.

• EPSO will publish the reference list used to develop the test

• This test's results contributes to both the preliminary and final results, and it makes up 25% of the final score.

Digital Skills Test | Language 2

• Multiple-choice test assessing digital literacy, aligned with the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp).
• What it covers: information & data literacy; communication & collaboration; digital content creation; safety; problem solving.

EUFTE | Language 2

• type of Written Test which only assesses written communication skills
• not a language test.
• the document will be published about two weeks before the exam date, and the assignment will be given on exam day.
• only counts towards your final score at a weight of 15%

3. SCORING + ELIGIBILITY CHECKS

Here’s how EPSO will score the tests and decide who moves forward. The key thing to know: your results are added up in stages, and only the highest preliminary scores go on to the EUFTE marking and eligibility check.

EPSO scores the MCQ tests in order: reasoning → EU knowledge → digital skills (you must pass each one to have the next one scored).

If you pass all MCQs, EPSO combines your MCQ results (with the official weightings) into a preliminary score and ranks candidates.

Only the top-ranked candidates (roughly up to 1.5× the number of places) get their EUFTE marked and their eligibility checked.

If you’re in that group and you pass EUFTE + are eligible, EPSO adds the results into a final score and ranks candidates again.

4. RESERVE LIST

After scoring and eligibility checks are finished, EPSO creates the Reserve List from the final ranking. Here’s the process, simplified:

• Candidates who pass all required scores, have one of the highest final scores, and are confirmed eligible.
• EPSO adds names from the top of the final ranking until the target number is reached (or there are no more eligible passers).
• Ties: anyone tied for the last place is also included.
• The final list is NOT RANKED - names are listed alphabetically and shared with EU recruiters.
• You’ll be notified by EPSO directly if you've made the Reserve List

Reality check: being on the reserve list is not a job offer and doesn’t guarantee recruitment.

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HOW TO APPLY

1. Read the official Notice of Competition (NoC) properly.
   
   It’s the single source of truth for eligibility, deadlines, required documents, the test format, scoring, and the rules that can disqualify you. Keep it open while you work through your application. It also helps to familiarise yourself with the General Rules Governing Open Competitions, as they apply across EPSO selection procedures.
2. Use our step-by-step guide for practical tips.
   
   We’ve broken down the application process into clear actions and common pitfalls here: How to apply to an EPSO competition.
3. Submit your application via the EPSO website.
   
   (Editor's note: when the link becomes available later today it will be added here) Start and complete your application in your EPSO account, and make sure you meet the upload requirements and deadlines listed in the NoC.
4. Check the EPSO competition page regularly.
   
   (Editor's note: when the page becomes available it will be added here) EPSO posts clarifications and updates during the application and testing phases. Don’t rely on screenshots, forwards, or rumours - check the official page.

Need help while applying or preparing? Contact EU Training Customer Support — we typically reply within 24 hours on working days.

BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR EPSO EXAMS!