• Afghanistan
• Arms control
• Climate change
• The Commonwealth
• Conference on Somalia
• Conflict minerals
• Council of Europe
• Counter proliferation
• Counter terrorism
• Conference on Cyberspace
• European Union
• Britain and Europe
• The EU Act
• EU Careers
• Discover EU careers
• Why work in the EU?
• Do you have what it takes to work in the EU?
• How to apply
• Other ways to join
• How the EU works
• March European Council
• EU Twinning & TAIEX Programmes
• Growth and prosperity
• Human rights
• London 2012 Olympics
• Middle East and North Africa
• NATO
• Peacekeeping
• Piracy
• Polar Regions
• United Nations
• US - UK relations
• Women, peace & security

Other ways to join the EU civil service

Many EU civil servants begin their career via one of the routes listed below and then go on to apply for the EU Careers selection procedure once they have more experience.

European Fast Stream

The European Fast Stream is designed for graduates whose ultimate ambition is to work permanently for one of the EU institutions as a European civil servant.  The scheme was established in order to increase the UK’s presence in the EU. And to join you must be a national of the EU (although to work in the FCO as a European Fast Streamer you must be a British citizen), have achieved or be predicted to achieve at least a 2:2 degree and have French or German to at least A-level (A - C) standard. You must also undertake to enter all EU competitions for which you are eligible during your time in the scheme and to complete the necessary training.

During the two year EFS programme, participants will work in a UK Civil Service department with significant EU-related responsibilities. You may also have the chance to work in the European Commission for five months on an internship. If you are not successful in the EU’s recruitment competitions you can remain in the UK Civil Service as a Fast Streamer, broadening your experience to take in some of your department’s domestic responsibilities.

To find out more about opportunities in the European Fast Stream visit their website for more information.

Non-graduates

Non graduates can apply to sit an ‘Assistants’ (AST) competition. These are permanent positions, also recruited through open competition. They are typically support roles, working in the field of budgetary and financial affairs, personnel or computing, but may also involve assisting with policy implementation. Find out more about the Assistant's selection procedures.

Fixed Term Contract Positions

The EU Institutions also often look to fill specific positions on fixed-term contracts. These may require specialist skills or knowledge. These vacancies are usually advertised on the EPSO website. Candidates will need to meet the recruitment criteria and go through the assessment process. This tends to be a less rigorous than the competitions for permanent roles.  

Temporary Agents

Temporary agents may be employed to perform a wide variety of highly specialised or temporary tasks for a maximum period of six years. You can also apply to be a temporary agent by introducing your details into the EU CV online database managed by the Commission’s Human Resources and Security DG.

Trainees

Each year more than 1,200 young people have the chance to increase their professional skills, develop their personal qualities, and enhance their EU knowledge through the EU trainee programmes. The European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, Court of Justice, the Social and Economic Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Ombudsman organise traineeships for young university graduates, each lasting 3-5 months. Trainees will all have completed their first university degree, and so receive tasks similar to those of the junior AD grade officials. The trainee programmes are managed by the Institutions themselves and further details regarding the programmes and application procedures can be found on their websites.

Seconded National Experts (SNE)

SNEs are persons employed in the public sector of EU member States who are working temporarily for an EU Institution. They bring to the Institution their experience of issues with which they are used to dealing, and take back to their home administration a knowledge of EU policies and procedures which they will have acquired during their period of secondment. SNEs are selected through a specific procedure, which does not involve EPSO. Information about current opportunities can generally be obtained from the offices of the Permanent Representations of the Member States to the EU (in Brussels). For the UK, contact sandrine.thill@fco.gov.uk.

   

Useful links

• European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
• Find out more about the selection process for EU careers
• European Fast Stream
• European Union website
• European Commission

Related documents

• European Fast Stream brochure [PDF, 7.3 Mb]