european commission official

The work

The European Commission is the civil service of the European Union (EU). Its various departments have a wide range of powers and functions, including:

• proposing new laws
• making sure all member countries obey current EU laws
• administering agricultural and other policies
• managing EU programmes and budgets
• representing the EU in international affairs.

Jobs in the European Commission are Administrator (AD) and Assistant (AST) grades. Depending on the department you work in, your duties at Administrator (AD) grade might include:

• drafting new laws
• taking part in negotiations with non-EU countries
• putting new policies and programmes into practice
• attending meetings and conferences
• preparing research and reports
• answering questions from members of the European Parliament
• managing staff, finances or equipment.

There is also a large number of people employed at these grades to provide language services -  Translators, Interpreters and also Lawyer linguists, qualified lawyers who translate legal texts into their native language.

Assistants (AST) support Administrators. At this level your work might involve collecting and analysing information, accountancy, computing or library services, or secretarial and clerical support.

Most European Commission officials work in several different departments during their career.

Hours and Environment

As an official in the European Commission you will normally work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday, although in theory you are expected to be available for work at all times. 

You will be office-based, but may travel to attend meetings and conferences.

You will usually have a good standard of living, with access to a range of social facilities to help you integrate into the working and living in the host country.

Skills and Interests

To be a European Commission administrator you should:

• be fluent in at least one other European Union language as well as your native language
• have excellent spoken and written communication
• have good presentation skills
• have drive and initiative
• be able to think clearly and logically
• have computer skills
• be able to adapt to a multilingual, cosmopolitan working atmosphere
• be interested in current affairs.

Entry

To work for the European Commission, you must be a citizen of one of the EU member states. You must also have good knowledge of a second EU language. You do not need a qualification in the second language as you will be tested in it during the recruitment process, but you will need to be roughly A level/H grade standard to pass the test. Some jobs may specify the second language that you need.

For Administrator (AD) jobs you must have a university degree. If you are a recent graduate, you will usually start as a junior administrator at AD5 or AD6 grade. For many jobs at this level, your degree can be in any subject. Some jobs may need you to have a degree in a subject relevant to the job, such as law, economics, statistics or a scientific subject.

To start at grade AD7 and above, you will usually need a degree and at least a year's relevant work experience. Some jobs may need you to have at least three years’ professional experience and a degree in a relevant subject. 

To be a Lawyer linguist (grade AD7), you must have a recognised law degree or be a qualified solicitor or barrister, and be fluent in two more EU languages as well as your native language. One of the other languages should usually be French or German.

For Assistant (AST) jobs, you must have either:

• a Higher National Diploma or equivalent, or
• two A levels/H grades or equivalent, and at least three years’ relevant work experience. 

You must apply for jobs at all grades by open competition. Competitions normally involve three stages - a series of pre-selection tests, a written examination and finally an oral exam, which is usually held in Brussels. The whole process normally takes around twelve months.

You can find out about open competitions:

• on the European Personnel Selection Office website
• in the national press
• published in the Official Journal of the European Communities
• from the European Commission Representations in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.

If you are a graduate, you may be able to get useful work experience before applying, through:

• the European Fast Stream of the British Civil Service, which prepares graduates for careers in the European Community institutions
• the European Commission 'Stagiaire' Scheme, a five-month training and work placement programme.

See the Further Information section for all contact details.

If you pass all the stages of the recruitment competition, you will be put on a reserve list until a suitable job comes up.

Training

Throughout your career you will be able to take in-house training courses to develop your language, management and communication skills.

You will also be encouraged to work in different departments and to go on exchanges and secondments to other European Union institutions and governments.

Opportunities

The European Commission employs about 16,500 officials, mainly working in Brussels or Luxembourg.

Career prospects in the Commission are good, with regular reviews, examinations and competitions for promotion to higher grades.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

Assistant grade entrants earn about £19,000 to £22,000 a year, depending on the grade of job.
New graduate Administrators (AD5 grade) start on about £31,000.
Administrators with three or more years' experience earn around £36,000 per year.
Senior administrators with ten years' experience can earn up to £80,000 or more.

Salaries are paid in euros. There is also a 16% expatriate allowance paid to officials who work outside their home country, plus other allowances depending on personal circumstances.

Further information

C80 0/48
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
Room G.1.4
Admiralty Arch
The Mall
London
SW1A 2WH

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