Overview
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) runs open competitions to recruit permanent staff (officials) for the institutions, bodies and agencies of the European Union. A competition does not fill a specific job. It produces a reserve list of successful candidates, and the institutions recruit from that list as vacancies arise. Being on a reserve list does not guarantee a job.
Permanent staff fall into three function groups:
| Function group | Typical work | Grade range | Usual entry grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrators (AD) | Policy design, legal work, analysis, management | AD 5 to AD 16 | AD 5 to AD 7 |
| Assistants (AST) | Administrative, technical and training support | AST 1 to AST 11 | AST 1 to AST 3 |
| Secretaries and clerks (AST/SC) | Clerical and secretarial work | AST/SC 1 to AST/SC 6 | AST/SC 1 to AST/SC 2 |
Each competition has its own legally binding notice of competition, published in the Official Journal of the EU, which sets out eligibility, tests, pass marks and deadlines. The details below follow the 2026 graduate administrators competition (EPSO/AD/427/26), the main entry route for new graduates, with notes on how specialist competitions differ.
Who can apply
For EPSO/AD/427/26 (AD 5, 2026), a candidate must:
be a national of an EU Member State and enjoy full rights as a citizen
have met any military service obligations and meet the character requirements for the duties
know at least two official EU languages: one at minimum level C1 (language 1) and a different one at minimum level B2 (language 2), on the Common European Framework of Reference scale
hold a diploma for completed university studies of at least three years, awarded no later than 30 September 2026
No professional experience is needed for this competition. Specialist competitions at higher grades also require experience. For example, the 2026 ICT competition for administrators at grade AD 8 (artificial intelligence or cybersecurity) asks for a relevant degree plus five to seven years of relevant experience depending on the length of the degree, or a degree in another area plus nine years of relevant experience.
Exam pattern
All tests in EPSO/AD/427/26 are taken online with remote proctoring. Candidates choose their two test languages from the 24 official EU languages in the application form. Reasoning tests are taken in language 1; the other tests in language 2.
| Test | Language | Questions | Time | Score range | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal reasoning | Language 1 | 20 | 35 minutes | 0 to 20 | 10/20 |
| Numerical reasoning | Language 1 | 10 | 20 minutes | 0 to 10 | 10/20 combined with abstract reasoning |
| Abstract reasoning | Language 1 | 10 | 10 minutes | 0 to 10 | (combined with numerical) |
| EU knowledge | Language 2 | 30 | 40 minutes | 0 to 30 | 15/30 |
| Digital skills | Language 2 | 40 | 30 minutes | 0 to 40 | 20/40 |
| EU free-text essay (EUFTE) | Language 2 | Written assignment | 40 minutes | 0 to 10 | 5/10 |
All tests except the EUFTE are multiple-choice. The order in which the tests are held can differ from the order above. Failing to sit or complete any test ends a candidate's participation.
The 2026 ICT competition (AD 8) uses a different mix: online reasoning tests, a field-related test and the free-text essay on EU matters.
Syllabus
Reasoning tests: verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.
EU knowledge test: the EU, its institutions, procedures and main policies. EPSO publishes the reference sources for the test on its website after the notice appears.
Digital skills test: digital literacy based on the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp), covering information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem solving.
EUFTE: a written response to one or more assignments based on documentation about EU matters. The documentation is published on the EPSO website before the test and given again during the test. It assesses written communication, not language ability or factual knowledge.
Marking and results
EPSO/AD/427/26 is scored in stages, and a candidate who misses a pass mark at any stage goes no further:
The multiple-choice tests are marked in order: reasoning, then EU knowledge, then digital skills. Each test is marked only for candidates who passed the one before.
Candidates who pass all of them get a preliminary combined score from verbal reasoning (40%), EU knowledge (30%) and digital skills (30%). Numerical and abstract reasoning must be passed but do not count towards the score.
In order of that ranking, EUFTE scripts are marked and eligibility is checked against uploaded documents for a limited group, in principle no more than 1.5 times the number of places.
Candidates who pass the EUFTE and are found eligible get a final combined score: verbal reasoning 35%, EU knowledge 25%, digital skills 25% and EUFTE 15%.
The highest scorers go onto the reserve list until the places are filled. Everyone tied for the last place is included.
The 2026 AD 5 competition sought 1,490 successful candidates. Results are only sent to candidates at the end of the competition, and the reserve list is published in alphabetical order.
Candidates can complain about an error in a multiple-choice question within 3 calendar days of the test, and can ask the Selection Board to review a decision within 5 calendar days of its publication. Multiple-choice results themselves cannot be reviewed.
Important dates
For EPSO/AD/427/26 (2026):
Notice published: 5 February 2026
Application deadline, including uploading an identity card or passport: 10 March 2026, 12.00 Brussels time
Deadline for uploading all other supporting documents: 7 October 2026, 12.00 Brussels time
For the 2026 ICT competition (AD 8), applications run from 8 September to 13 October 2026 (12.00 Brussels time), with supporting documents due by 14 January 2027.
How to apply
Candidates apply online through the EPSO website, using a candidate account in the Single Candidate Portal linked to an EU Login. The EU Login email address must stay valid until the reserve list is published. Before applying, the "My CV" section of the account must be completed; a copy is attached to the application on submission. Each candidate may apply to a given competition only once, and the application cannot be changed after the deadline. Candidates with a disability or medical condition can request reasonable accommodations in the application form.
After the exam
Once on a reserve list, candidates may be contacted by recruiting services of the EU institutions or may apply for published vacancies. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to recruitment interviews, which are run by the recruiting service, not by EPSO, and are usually held in English and/or French.
Preparation tips
Verbal reasoning carries the largest weight in both the preliminary and final scores, so it is worth the most practice. Numerical and abstract reasoning only need to reach the combined pass mark. Read the EU knowledge reference sources and the EUFTE documentation as soon as EPSO publishes them, and check your candidate account at least every 3 days, as the notice advises, so you do not miss a booking or upload deadline.
Do I need work experience for the EPSO AD 5 competition?
No. The 2026 AD 5 graduate competition requires a degree of at least three years and two EU languages (C1 and B2), but no professional experience.
Does passing an EPSO competition guarantee a job?
No. Successful candidates are placed on a reserve list, and the EU institutions recruit from it as needed. Inclusion on the list confers no right to recruitment.
Which tests count towards the final ranking in EPSO/AD/427/26?
Verbal reasoning (35%), EU knowledge (25%), digital skills (25%) and the EU free-text essay (15%). Numerical and abstract reasoning must be passed but are not scored into the ranking.