[Attention, this text is valid as from the March 2023 session.]
Step 1: Create an EU Login or connect with an existing account
Register on European Commission Authentication Service (EU Login) to begin your application.
If you are a new user
EU Login
- click here to create an account
- fill in the sign-up form
- click ‘submit‘
- check your email account (including your spam folder) for confirmation
- in the email, follow the link to ‘create your password‘
- choose your password and submit it
- click ‘proceed‘ to the application form
- use either the email or your ECAS username to login afterwards. Candidates for EC traineeships cannot login using electronic IDs.
Issues? Check ‘Help for external users‘.
For all questions regarding your registration with EU Login (European Commission’s authentication service) see the EU Login FAQ page or contact eu-login-external-support@ec.europa.eu.
Step 2: Complete and submit the application form
a) Go to your account, click on Send an application and choose the traineeship type to access the application form. Fill in the form section by section or jump from one section to another using the menu on the left-hand side of the page. Read and follow carefully the instructions provided for each section.
You do not have to fill in everything in a single session. Save your entries and log back in at any time to continue and submit your application. You can preview your application form at any time, before or after submitting it.
You cannot make changes to the application once it has been submitted.
Log in and complete each section of the application form following carefully the instructions provided.
You do not have to fill in the entire form in a single session. You can save your entries and log in later to make changes and submit your application using your username and password. You can also preview your application form in a printer-friendly pdf format at any time during the application period.
b) Upload your supporting documents.
You must attach the following supporting documents to your application form:
- a copy of your:
- valid ID card or passport
- university qualifications of studies completed before the deadline for applications
- proof of
- ongoing) studies (incl. proof of EQF level), university exchange programmes abroad, participation in EU or international programmes, seminars or workshops
- all declared language skills (other than mother tongue/s)
- all declared work experience
Please ensure that you upload all the justification documents to support every item declared on your application form, before submitting it. The pre-selection committee will reject your application if you do not provide adequate evidence of your declared studies, language knowledge, experience and other information stated on the form. Document only the items you have declared.
It is highly recommended to prepare your supporting documents well in advance to avoid missing the deadline. No additional documents or justifications will be admitted after the reception of the application.
Allow up to 3 working days for a response if you require (technical) assistance.
c) Once your application is submitted, you will need to wait for the results of its evaluation. You will be informed about the results via e-mail. In case of acceptance, you will be invited to apply to available traineeship positions.
Have you already submitted your application? Wait for the result of the evaluation phase! We will send the results via e-mail and publish them in your account. Make sure you check your account regularly.
If successful, we will invite you to apply to available traineeship positions.
Step 3: Apply for up to 3 traineeship posts in VBB
You will receive instructions to connect to Virtual Blue Book portal where Commission services and agencies propose various traineeship positions. The number of proposed positions matches the number of trainees per session. Carefully read the job description and the details of the post. You may mark as many positions as you like as favourites.
Candidates may apply for up to three posts. Applications for traineeship positions in VBB will be allowed for one week and there will be a cap of 25 candidates per post. Post openings will be unpublished as soon as the maximum number of applicants has been reached or after one week.
Please do not wait until the very last few days for applying.
Once there are enough applications registered for a specific post, the position will disappear from the list.
Questions related to the application procedure
How can I prove a ‘very good knowledge’ of a language for the ADMIN traineeship? (For the DGT traineeship please refer to the appropriate FAQs.)
You can prove your proficiency in a language by one of the following means:
- certificates of language courses clearly indicating the level of knowledge achieved issued by :
- Language centres such as Instituto Cervantes, Alliance française, Goethe Institut, …
- State-recognised language schools issuing certified attestations.
- University course: BA or MA taught wholly or partly in the language declared, i.e. corresponding to at least half of the credits needed to obtain the degree (this must be clear from the transcripts: the teaching must be given and the examinations taken and passed in the said language)
- University transcripts showing language courses taken and passed with a clear indication of the level of knowledge achieved.
- certificates of bilingual education at secondary level issued by European Schools, international lycées, …
Ccertificates of attendance are not sufficient.
Recommendation letters from professors/employers are not accepted as proof of the declared language knowledge.
Mother tongues are also considered a ‘very good knowledge’.
No points are awarded for mother tongues and therefore no points are attributed.
What supporting documents should be attached to the application form?
You should provide the following documents, preceded by a table of contents, in this order:
0. Table of contents showing the list of documents in the PDF, point by point.
1. Copy of a valid passport or identity card proving the nationality indicated in the application form.
2. Copies of all university degrees indicated in the application form, together with transcripts from the relevant university (i.e. list of subjects studied each year) and proof of a minimum European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level 6.
You can find help with
- Description of EFQ Levels
- Obtaining your EQF level certificate through your National information center (ENIC-NARIC network)
Please ensure that the date of graduation and final grades are indicated.
3. Copy of proof of enrolment in current studies, if applicable.
4. Copies of certifications/licenses obtained, as indicated in the application form, if applicable.
5. Copies of evidence of all declared work experience in the home country, as indicated in the application form, if applicable.
This may include
- letters of reference from an employer, which must be headed, duly signed, dated and clearly indicate the period of work
- contracts that clearly state the period of work
- pay slips which clearly state the period of work
Note: Letters written on plain paper without a letterhead are not acceptedas evidence, nor are e-mails.
6. Copies of evidence of all international experience indicated in the application form, if applicable.
For work experience, this may include
- letters of reference from an employer, which must be headed, duly signed, dated and clearly indicate the period of work
- contracts that clearly state the period of work
- pay slips which clearly state the period of work
Note: Letters written on plain paper without a letterhead are not acceptedas evidence, nor are e-mails.
For experience of mobility abroad, this may include
- copies of diplomas obtained abroad
- Erasmus certificates
- certificates from study exchange programmes
- certificates of volunteer work
Note: Letters written on plain paper without a letterhead are not acceptedas evidence, nor are e-mails.
7. Copies of evidence of language skills declared in the application form.
This may include
- certificates of language courses clearly indicating the level of knowledge achieved issued by
- language centres such as Instituto Cervantes, Alliance française, Goethe Institut, …
- state-recognised language schools issuing certified attestations
- University course: BA or MA taught wholly or partly in the language declared, i.e. corresponding to at least half of the credits needed to obtain the degree (this must be clear from the transcripts: the teaching must be given and the examinations taken and passed in the said language)
- University transcripts showing language courses taken and passed with a clear indication of the level of knowledge achieved
- certificates of bilingual education at secondary level issued by European Schools, international schools, …
Note: Certificates of attendance are not sufficient.
In addition: A thorough knowledge of at least one of the Commission’s working languages – English, French, German – is required. The Commission considers that level C of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages corresponds to a thorough knowledge.
8. For general skills, no certificate is required. However, you must justify them in the box provided for this purpose in the application form.
9. For numerical skills, proof is not compulsory but only recommended. However, you must provide evidence of these skills in the appropriate box on the application form.
10. For other achievements, it is not compulsory but only recommended that you provide evidence. You must nevertheless justify them in the box provided for this purpose on the application form.
Can I apply again if my application is not selected?
Yes. You can apply for as many sessions as you want.
What kind of work experience should I declare in the form?
You can declare all types of work experience, also holiday or student jobs, as well as jobs carried out on a casual basis only (e.g. in the evening, over the week-end, etc.).
The system allows you to indicate up to five work experiences.
Start with the longest one and put the following ones in the descending order of their duration.
If you have more, select the most relevant ones. Full-time volunteering activities or civic service may count as work experience and shall be supported by the same kind of proof as latter.
I have completed my studies but have not yet received a diploma. Can I apply?
Yes, but at the stage of your application you should be able to provide a formal statement from your university confirming that you have obtained your degree.
Date of the award and final mark awarded must be clearly indicated and match your declaration on the application form.
