Why Choose An EU Career?

What’s so good about EU jobs?

If you’re a member of one of the 27 European Union states and interested in an exciting career, you may have wondered if an EU job should be on your radar. Does it have anything to offer in terms of professional development? It’s common knowledge that these positions are highly sought after, but is it all just hype? And what are the realities when we look at the nuts and bolts of salary and benefits?

There are several advantages to pursuing an EU career and compelling reasons why it could be right for you. Because of the nature of governing such a vast and diverse region with over 450 million citizens, people are employed in EU institutions and agencies with a variety of skills sets, ranging from economists to scientific experts, and in a variety of roles such as, policy officers, EU lawyers, or administrators in the fields of intellectual property or crisis management. Even if your professional background is quite niche, your knowledge and experience might be just what one of the EU organisations is looking for. 

EU jobs in Brussels: more than just fries and beer

Positions within the EU are usually located in Brussels, a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital in the heart of Europe where the locals are welcoming and speak excellent English. A hub of international politics and a melting pot of people from around the world, the city encompasses attractions of major historical and cultural significance. It has something for everyone, from nightlife to world-class museums, concert halls and restaurants. It’s also incredibly child friendly, with outstanding infrastructure for families and a low crime rate. 

If you are employed by the EU institutions, you also benefit from more legal protections and employee benefits than are offered in many other countries. For instance, staff here can take advantage of as much as five to six weeks of leave annually, excellent health care coverage, access to EU schools where your children can study in and of the EU’s 24 official languages.

Salary and benefits

One of the key criteria when considering a new job. EU salary levels for officials are very competitive compared with the public sector of other member states. Job security is high, and other benefits such as comprehensive health care, pension plans, allowances and education offered to employees and dependants are significantly attractive.  

The salary is based on the type of employment contract you receive (permanent contracts can place you in three categories: secretary, assistant, or administrator, while contract or temporary agent posts are also available), the pay grade associated with that position as well as the “step” you have attained–the seniority designated according to how many years you have worked. Generally, this takes into account the level of responsibility and complexity of the position in question, meaning as you progress through your career, your salary will increase accordingly. Also worth noting is that there is an annual adjustment in line with inflation. 

For administrators (AD) and assistants (AST), for example, the lowest grade is AST3 or AD5 where the basic salary ranges from around 3,000-4,500 EUR net per month, while a Director General can earn over 20,000 EURO per month. Additionally, a number of factors determine how the wage is calculated, and generous add-on elements–depending on personal circumstances– can give the base salary a significant boost. 

Give EU Training's updated EU Career Salary Calculator a whirl to see what your earning potential is.

Allowances for families

If you have a family, or are planning on starting one, a position with the EU will entitle you to several further benefits beyond just the standard parental leave. Household and child allowances, for example, are provided based on the number of dependents you have in your immediate family. 

Additionally, European schools that have been expressly set up to cater to the children of staff working at EU institutions are freely available and provide a high standard of multilingual and multicultural education, from nursery to secondary school level. 

What if I need to relocate?

It’s also worth pointing out that you don’t necessarily need to have already settled in the country before applying for a job. Because of the nature of the EU, and the necessity for it to fairly represent all the nationalities within its fold, you will not be at a disadvantage should you be living elsewhere. 

An expatriate or foreign-residence allowance, daily subsistence allowances as well as moving and travel expenses are also available for those who need to relocate to Brussels. This amount varies depending on how far away your “original” residence is located.

Get out of the rat-race

Beyond the scope of salary and benefits, working for an EU institution can be a welcome change from the usual pitfalls associated with climbing the corporate ladder. Above all, there’s a mission to make the working culture more humane and inclusive. 

To this end, flexible working hours and teleworking options have been introduced to give staff more control over their work schedule. There is also a variety of personal development courses and training on offer, such as EU diplomacy and IT and digital development, and an atmosphere of not only acceptance but encouragement for employees to enjoy a healthy work-life balance.

And let’s not lose sight of the big picture. While working in a multinational environment, you will help shape policies and implement plans that affect millions of people across the region. An EU job has the potential to be a uniquely motivating and career defining experience, where a diverse team of colleagues come together with the common purpose of serving the disparate nations of the EU.  

Which EU institutions could I work for?

If you are selected to go on the reserve list to work in an EU job, there are several prestigious institutions within the EU that could ultimately hire you, including:

• European Parliament
• Council of the European Union
• European Commission
• European Court of Justice
• European Court of Auditors
• European External Action Service
• European Economic and Social Committee
• European Committee of the Regions
• European Data Protection Supervisor
• European Ombudsman

Securing EU agencies’ jobs are, however, a little more complicated than simply knocking out a winning cover letter and CV. 

What is the recruitment process for EU vacancies?

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has the responsibility of screening, testing and selecting candidates who then go on to work for EU institutions and occasionally, agencies. During a recruitment drive (known as an EPSO competition), EPSO has the mammoth task of processing tens of thousands of applications to select approximately 1,200 “laureates” to fill in permanent positions. 

The first step in stepping into an EU career is applying for a competition. The positions advertised may vary from EU administrator roles to CAST (Contract Agents for Specific Tasks). The recruitment process requires applicants to pass various EPSO exams, which take place regularly at certain times of the year. Once you are selected, you join a pool of candidates on a so-called “reserve list” from which the various EU institutions can recruit staff. 

Having undergone a recent revamp, the EPSO exam process at present basically consists of one phase. This means that the required EPSO tests will now be done by each candidate in one sitting remotely and at their own computer. If an applicant passes those tests, they will be put directly on the reserve list and then subsequently called in for possible interview by the institutions themselves.

The changes to the appraisal system are so new that information is still trickling through. But as we understand it currently, the tests will consist of CBT (computer-based tests) and a written test or EPSO case study. You can find a list of the upcoming competitions for EU jobs here as published on the EPSO website.

How to prepare for the EPSO selection process and get an EU job in Brussels

Let’s look at how you can prepare for this quite intensive application process and secure an EU job. Firstly, you need to be familiar enough with the tests used to be able to not only pass but pass well. Some test results are ranked against other applicants, meaning you need to do as well as possible in order to be considered for the reserve list.

The good news is that there is a methodology involved. It is entirely possible, with enough practice, to be confident and comfortable enough with these tests to perform them optimally and at a level better than the rest of the candidates. Happily, EU Training can help with your EPSO exams training through the vast amount of material we have on the website, ranging from ebooks and practice tests to webinars. There is a lot of free material available to use and practice with, as well as some that require payment. 

A dream EU job, with its career-building prospects, competitive salary and benefits as well as the training and educational opportunities it affords, is within your grasp! But do keep in mind that EPSO preparation is key in making that dream a reality.