Everything you need to know to become a European civil servant

Are you interested in working in an international and dynamic environment? The multicultural setting of the European institutions might be suitable for you. As a European civil servant, you will actively contribute to the European construction for a better future.

Being a European civil servant is an attractive status, especially considering job security and its numerous benefits.

European competitions 

EPSO is responsible for the recruitment of European civil servants for all European institutions. On their website, you will find the competition calendar and all the key information to become a European civil servant. 

Each competition aims to select a defined number of candidates to build a reserve list. Once on the reserve list, you may be recruited as a civil servant by a European institution service. 

There are currently two main types of competitions organised by EPSO:

• Competitions for generic profiles where little or no professional experience is required.
• Specialist competitions related to a specific field which generally require professional experience. 

When you apply for a European competition, you are applying for a job category.

For the recruitment of future European civil servants, there are three job categories:

• Secretary (SC): Secretaries perform administrative tasks, secretarial duties, and logistical support.
• Assistant (AST): Assistants hold roles such as project management, administrative assistance, translation, and policy coordination.
• Administrator (AD): Administrators hold roles in management, consultancy, research, legislation, and policy within European institutions. 

The SC, AST, and AD categories mainly differ in the required level of qualification and the type of functions they provide access to, ranging from general administrative tasks to positions requiring specialised expertise and significant professional experience. 

A number is generally present behind the categories. It corresponds to the required level of experience, with the highest being the most experienced. 

The selection process for European competitions  

A notice of competition is published on the EPSO website for each European competition. 

The competition notice provides several types of information:

• The number of successful candidates sought.
• General eligibility conditions: nationality, languages, level of education, and professional experience.
• The competition phases: registration for the competition, types of tests, and establishment of the reserve list. 

Since 2023, all tests are conducted in one day, remotely, and on a computer. 

For all competitions, tests generally include:

• The 3 reasoning tests: verbal, numerical, and abstract.
• A multiple-choice test in the field for specialist competitions and a multiple-choice test on EU knowledge for general competitions.
• A written test.

Remember: the notice of competition is THE reference document if you wish to register for a competition, check your eligibility, and discover the selection procedure with computer-based tests.

If you pass the tests, you will be placed on the reserve list available to recruiting services. 

Finally, if you are invited to an interview and are selected, you will be hired as a European civil servant! 

Watch our video « Working in the EU institutions – EU official »

Preparing for an EU competition

European competitions are highly selective. With training, you increase your chances of success. ORSEU Concours helps you in your preparation.

• 1st step: Read the competition notice carefully. 

This document tells you everything you need to know about the eligibility conditions and the selection procedure.

• 2nd step: Prepare for the tests.

If you take the verbal reasoning test, numerical reasoning test, and abstract reasoning test, ORSEU Concours provides you with all the tools to succeed.

• Our books offer comprehensive methodology and a hundred questions with detailed corrections. With our pack of 3 reasoning test books, master the logic of the tests and develop automatisms.
• Our courses provide the essential of the methodology, specific advice, and a few corrected questions. With our pack of online courses for 3 reasoning tests, quickly review the key points of each test.
• Our online tests help you practice under similar conditions to those of the competition and evaluate yourself. They include detailed correction of each question. With our super pack of 3 reasoning tests, practice, progress, and succeed!  

Depending on the other tests in your competition, feel free to consult all of our available products.

• 3rd step: You are placed on the reserve list. 

Have you passed the selection tests?

Congratulations! You are now placed on the reserve list and can apply for positions corresponding to the domain and category of your competition. 

It's time to prepare for the interview with the book 'How to succeed in a job interview'.

Read our blog article for more information.

Becoming a European civil servant is demanding but offers great opportunities. Prepare yourself properly to maximize your chances of success.

ORSEU Concours, the Partner in Your Success.