European Commission Blue Book Traineeship Programme | 5-Month Paid Traineeship in Europe

Applications are now invited for the Blue Book Traineeship Programme, a prestigious 5-month paid traineeship offered by the European Commission. This programme provides hands-on experience in fields such as administration (e.g., competition law, human resources, environmental policy) or translation with the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT).

The next session runs from 1 March 2026 to 31 July 2026, with applications accepted from 15 July 2025 to 29 August 2025. It is partially funded, offering a monthly grant of €1,493.36 to cover living expenses. The programme is open to university graduates (minimum Bachelor’s degree) from any country, with no age limit, and no prior EU institution work experience exceeding 6 weeks. There is no application fee, making it accessible to all eligible candidates. You can check more internship opportunities here.

Key Details

• Programme: Blue Book Traineeship (Administrative or Translation).
• Duration: 5 months (1 March 2026 – 31 July 2026).
• Grant: €1,493.36/month (taxable based on your country’s regulations).
• Application Deadline: 29 August 2025 (10:00 a.m. Brussels time).
• Who Can Apply: EU and non-EU nationals (limited non-EU spots); no age limit.
• Application Fee: None.
• Locations: Primarily Brussels, some in Luxembourg or other EU cities.
• Positions: ~1,000 per session (5% for translation).
• Nationality: Open to all

About the Traineeship

The programme offers two types of traineeships:

• Administrative Traineeship: Work in areas like competition law, human resources, environmental policy, and more.
• Translation Traineeship: Focus on translation tasks within the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT).

The programme is open to all eligible candidates, regardless of citizenship, sex, race, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation, promoting diversity and equal opportunities.

What Will You Do?

Your daily tasks depend on the assigned department but may include:

• Attending and organizing meetings, working groups, and public hearings.
• Researching, drafting, and editing reports or consultations.
• Responding to citizens’ inquiries.
• Supporting project management.
• For translation trainees: Translating, revising translations, or researching terminology.

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Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Have completed a Bachelor’s degree.
2. Provide diplomas/certificates with final grades and proof of EQF 6 level.
3. No prior work experience exceeding 6 weeks in any EU institution, body, agency, delegation, or with MEPs/Advocates General at the EU Court of Justice.
4. Language Proficiency:
   • Administrative Traineeship:
     • Very good knowledge of two EU official languages (one must be English, French, or German at C1/C2 level; the second at least B2 level).
     • Non-EU nationals need only one procedural language (English, French, or German) at C1/C2 level.
   • Translation Traineeship (DGT):
     • Ability to translate into your main/target language (usually your mother tongue, which must be an official EU language) from two other EU languages.
     • First source language: English, French, or German (C level or mother tongue).
     • Second source language: Any EU language (minimum B2 level).
     • Note: 91.6% of documents are in English, 2.6% in French, 0.8% in German.

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Additional Points

You can earn extra points for:

• Work experience.
• International profile (education, work, or volunteering abroad).
• Rare fields of study.
• Multiple mother tongues (with written evidence).

Note: No points are awarded for your mother tongue.

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Application Process

Timeline for March 2026 Session

• Application Period: 15 July 2025 (10:00 a.m. Brussels time) to 29 August 2025 (10:00 a.m. Brussels time).
• Preselection: September–November 2025.
• Selection: December 2025–February 2026.
• Traineeship: 1 March 2026–31 July 2026.

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How to Apply

1. Create an EU Login:
   • Register via the European Commission Authentication Service (EU Login).
   • Complete the sign-up form, verify your email, and create a password.
   • Use your EU Login to access the application form.
2. Complete the Application Form:
   • Log in to your candidate account, select “Send an application,” and choose either Administrative (ADMIN) or Translation (DGT).
   • Fill out all sections carefully, ensuring declarations match your supporting documents.
   • You can save progress and return later, but no changes are allowed after submission.
   • Important: You can only submit one application per session and per traineeship type.
3. Upload Supporting Documents:
   • Provide diplomas, language proofs, and supporting documents.
   • Ensure all documents support your application claims (e.g., studies, language skills, experience).
   • Prepare documents in advance to meet the deadline; no additional documents are accepted post-submission.
4. After Submission:
   • Check your candidate account regularly for evaluation results (allow a few weeks).
   • If preselected, you’ll be invited to apply for up to three traineeship positions via the Virtual Blue Book.

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Selection Process

Administrative Traineeship

• Phase 1:
  • Access the Virtual Blue Book to view available positions.
  • Apply for up to three posts (one per round) during three application rounds.
  • Submit a general motivation statement (500–1,500 characters) and a tailored cover letter (PDF) for each post.
  • Directorates-General (DGs), services, or agencies select candidates; you may be contacted for an informal interview.
  • Only a written placement offer from the Traineeships Office confirms selection.
  • Non-EU Candidates: Selection concludes in Phase 1 due to additional administrative steps.
• Phase 2:
  • If not selected in Phase 1, departments may contact you for remaining posts.

Translation Traineeship (DGT)

• Similar to the administrative process, but:
  • Only EU nationals are eligible.
  • Motivation texts and cover letters must be in your target language (unless specified otherwise).
  • Limited positions (5% of total posts), so vacancies fill quickly.

Note: Being preselected does not guarantee a placement. If you decline a placement offer, your application is withdrawn for that session.

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Benefits for Selected Trainees

• Grant: €1,493.36/month, taxable based on your country’s regulations (consult local tax authorities).
• Visa/Travel Costs: The Commission may reimburse visa costs and travel expenses to/from the traineeship country.
• You must have personal health insurance for the entire traineeship.
• No accommodation.
• Leave: 2 days/month plus public holidays (must be approved by your advisor).