Home » Blog

» Blue Book Traineeship 2026: what it is, requirements and how to get into the European Commission traineeship

Blue Book Traineeship 2026: what it is, requirements and how to get into the European Commission traineeship

The Blue Book Traineeship is the European Commission’s paid traineeship programme: it lasts 5 months, runs twice a year (sessions starting on 1 March and 1 October) and offers around 1,000 placements per session across the Commission, its agencies, Commissioners’ Cabinets and the European External Action Service. It is one of the most recognised ways to gain first professional experience inside the institutions of the European Union. All official information and the application form are on the official European Commission Blue Book Traineeship website.

What is the Blue Book Traineeship?

The Blue Book Traineeship (officially the Blue Book Traineeship programme) is a five-month traineeship the European Commission organises twice a year for young graduates. Its name comes from the “Blue Book”, the database of pre-selected candidates from which Commission departments choose their trainees.

During those five months you work inside a real Commission department, in a multicultural and multilingual environment, gaining hands-on experience of how EU policymaking and administration actually work. Most placements are in Brussels, but there are also positions in Luxembourg and elsewhere across the Union. There are three types of traineeship: administrative for university graduates (ADMIN UG), administrative for vocational education and training graduates (ADMIN VET) and translation (TRA).

Who can apply for the Blue Book: eligibility

The requirements below apply to the administrative traineeship for university graduates (ADMIN UG), the most popular strand. Every condition is mandatory: if one is not met, the application is rejected at the eligibility check.

Qualifications

You must have completed a full three-year university degree (EQF Level 6 or higher, at least 180 ECTS credits) and hold the diploma by the time you apply. Being about to finish is not enough: if you complete your studies after the application deadline, you are not yet eligible. Degrees obtained outside the EU are accepted if they correspond to a completed three-year higher-education cycle.

Languages

EU nationals must demonstrate a very good knowledge of two official EU languages: the first must be English, French or German at C1 or C2 level (or mother tongue) and the second, another official EU language at B2 level at least. Levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Nationality, age and other conditions

Nationality: a national of an EU Member State or of a candidate country benefiting from a pre-accession strategy. A limited number of places is reserved for non-EU nationals.
Age: 18 or older on the start date of the traineeship.
ID: a valid passport or national identity card.
No prior EU experience: you are excluded if you have had experience (paid or unpaid) of more than 6 weeks (42 days) in any EU institution, body or agency.

Duration, sessions and deadlines

The traineeship lasts five months and there are two sessions a year: one starting on 1 March and one on 1 October. The application period opens several months before each session and only for a few specific weeks; outside those windows the form is not available.

Exact application dates change from year to year. The safest way not to miss the deadline is to check the official calendar of sessions and to create your EU Login account in advance. For reference, the last window, for the session starting on 1 March 2027, ran from 22 July to 4 September 2026 (10:00 Brussels time).

Grant and allowances

The Blue Book is a paid traineeship. Each trainee receives a monthly grant adjusted by a correction coefficient according to the country or city of assignment, to reflect the local cost of living. As an indication, for the March 2027 session the Commission publishes figures such as €1,471 in Spain, €1,572 in Belgium, €1,390 in Italy or €1,572 in Luxembourg. These amounts are indicative: the Commission updates them for each session.

In addition to the monthly grant, depending on your assignment and personal circumstances you may be entitled to a travel allowance (€275), a meal and public transport allowance (5% of the adjusted grant) and an accommodation allowance (20% of the adjusted grant, in Luxembourg only). Trainees with a recognised disability may receive a supplement of up to 50% of the adjusted grant. The traineeship also includes accident and health insurance.

The selection process step by step

Create your EU Login account and access the application form (only available during the application period).
Complete the application, choosing a single traineeship type per session. If you submit applications for more than one type, all of them are rejected.
Upload your supporting documents (qualifications, languages, identity and experience) as a single PDF file. Only what you can prove is taken into account.
Submit your application. After submission, no corrections or additional documents are accepted.
Assessment: eligibility is checked and applications are scored in order of relevance (education, languages, work experience, international profile and rare field of studies). The process usually takes 4 to 8 weeks after the deadline.
Virtual Blue Book: if you pass the eligibility stage, you enter the pre-selected database and can apply for specific placements offered by Commission departments. Passing pre-selection does not guarantee a placement: this is the stage where departments choose their trainees.

Blue Book Traineeship at a glance

What it is: the European Commission’s paid traineeship.
Duration: 5 months.
Sessions: 2 a year (starting 1 March and 1 October).
Placements: around 1,000 per session.
Requirements: a 3-year university degree (EQF 6), two EU languages (one EN/FR/DE at C1-C2 and another at B2), 18 or older, no prior EU experience over 6 weeks.
Grant: a monthly grant adjusted by location (e.g. ~€1,471 in Spain) plus possible travel, meal/transport and accommodation allowances.
Where: mainly Brussels, also Luxembourg and other locations.
How to apply: online, via EU Login, on the official website.

Tips to prepare your application

Don’t leave it to the last day: create and verify your EU Login account early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Prepare your documents in advance: diploma, language and experience certificates, all in a single PDF and translated if needed.
Mind your language level: English and French are the most common working languages at the Commission; arriving with a solid C1 makes a difference, including in later interviews.
Highlight your international profile: study stays or mobility programmes add points in the assessment.
Be strategic in the Virtual Blue Book: once pre-selected, you will need to “sell” yourself to the departments offering placements; a strong CV and a tailored cover letter for each unit are key.

Frequently asked questions about the Blue Book Traineeship

Is the Blue Book Traineeship paid?

Yes. You receive a monthly grant adjusted to the cost of living of your assignment (for example around €1,471 in Spain for the March 2027 session, an indicative figure the Commission updates each session), plus possible travel, meal and transport, or accommodation allowances.

How long is it and when does it start?

It lasts five months. There are two sessions a year, one starting on 1 March and one on 1 October.

Do I need previous work experience?

It is not essential, but work experience adds points in the assessment. Note: you are excluded if you have already worked more than 6 weeks (42 days) in any EU institution or body.

What language level is required?

Two official EU languages: the first (English, French or German) at C1 or C2 level, and a second, different official language at B2 level at least.

Can I apply for more than one type of traineeship?

No. You can choose only one traineeship type per session. If you apply for several types at once, all applications are rejected.

Does pre-selection guarantee a placement?

No. Passing the eligibility stage puts you in the Virtual Blue Book, but Commission departments then choose their trainees from among the pre-selected candidates.

Official sources

Prepare with EU Campus

For many people, the Blue Book is the gateway to the world of the European institutions. If your goal goes beyond a traineeship and you want to build a career in the EU, the natural next step is the EPSO competitions, the system through which the Union selects its permanent staff. At EU Campus we help candidates prepare for EPSO processes and strengthen the skills that also make a difference in the Blue Book: reasoning, EU knowledge and languages (English and French at C1). If you are thinking about your future inside the European institutions, explore our courses and take the first step.

Want personalised help with your Blue Book application? With EU Campus’s Blue Book – Guidance and support service you get the complete programme guide, a review of your CV and cover letter, and support to access the European institutions. Discover the Blue Book service →