Working at the European Commission

Make a difference

Do you want to help shape the future of European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU? Then come and work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different nationalities, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive working place. Job opportunities range from secretaries, scientists and policymakers to economists, trade negotiators and nuclear inspectors. You can learn more about our staff composition through our official key figures and statistics.

Meet our staff: Rasa Galykte

Meet our staff: Per Haugaard

Meet more of the Commission's staff

Your next job at the Commission

The Commission offers job opportunities with various types of employment status that range from permanent (civil servants) and non-permanent staff positions to traineeships. 

Permanent staff 

If you are looking for a permanent position, you have to pass an open competition. The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) manages this selection process for all EU institutions. Visit their website to find out how to apply.

Once you pass a competition, any EU institution can recruit you from the reserve list of successful candidates.

Non-permanent staff 

You can also apply for a fixed-term position as temporary or contract staff. Selection procedures vary depending on the staff category and type of contract.

You can find vacancies for temporary and contract staff on EPSO’s website. These include secretarial, specialist and management positions. 

Traineeship  

Twice a year, the European Commission offers 5-month paid traineeships to 1 800 university graduates. These start every March and October. Find out how to become a trainee.

Jobs at the Commission

Life at the European Commission

Jobs at the Commission offer varied and fulfilling careers in a vibrant, multilingual and multicultural environment, excellent learning and career development opportunities, competitive and flexible working conditions and a modern work environment.  

Attracting talent from all Member States

The European Commission has adopted a Decision to ensure a balanced presence of all EU nationalities among its staff.  This Decision introduces stronger measures to address possible imbalances, while maintaining the principle of merit-based recruitment. 

Currently, 15 of 27 nationalities are underrepresented among Commission staff. The Decision complements earlier efforts to address the imbalances, which included Joint Action Plans developed with the 15 underrepresented countries.  

This Decision provides the Commission with additional tools linked to the selection and recruitment processes, to achieve gradual improvements in the presence of underrepresented nationals.  

The Mission Letter of Commissioner Piotr Serafin, in charge of Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Public Administration, made it a political priority to make our workforce better reflect European society. 

All of the Commission’s efforts to address imbalances are outlined in the Joint Action Plans on Geographical Balance. The first assessment of these was conducted in 2024. You can find out more about the Action Plans (2023) at the link below.  

Consult the Action Plans