EU Graduate Administrators Competition (AD5) 2026: Apply to Start a Permanent Career with the European Union

European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has officially launched the Graduate Administrators Competition (AD5), opening the door for talented graduates from all academic disciplines to begin a permanent career within the European Union institutions, bodies, and agencies.

This highly competitive selection process will establish a reserve list from which EU institutions recruit Administrators (AD5 grade)—professionals who support decision-making, policy development, and programme implementation affecting millions of people across Europe.

What the Graduate Administrators (AD5) Role Involves

Graduate Administrators play a key role in shaping and implementing EU policies. Successful candidates typically work in multicultural, multilingual teams across areas such as:

• Policy development and policy formulation

• Policy implementation and operational delivery

• Programme and project management

• Resource and financial management

Detailed descriptions of typical duties are outlined in the Notice of Competition (Annex II).

Why Start a Career with the European Union

An EU civil service career offers:

• Permanent employment with EU institutions

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits

• Opportunities to work on policies with real global impact

• A diverse, inclusive, and multicultural working environment

• Career mobility across EU institutions and policy areas

Eligibility Requirements

The AD5 competition is open to graduates from any field of study. Full eligibility rules, including nationality requirements and language criteria, are detailed in the official Notice of Competition.

Applicants must carefully review all eligibility conditions before applying.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The EU Graduate Administrators Competition (AD5) is one of the main entry routes into permanent EU civil service careers. It provides graduates with the chance to contribute directly to European policymaking while building a long-term international career.

Application Timeline

• Applications open: 5 February 2026

• Application deadline: 10 March 2026 (12:00 midday, Brussels time)

• Identity document upload deadline: 10 March 2026 (12:00 midday)

• Supporting documents upload deadline: 7 October 2026 (12:00 midday)

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the official EPSO platform.

APPLY HERE

Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to read:

• The Notice of Competition

• Eligibility and testing requirements

• EPSO’s competency framework

Selection Process

The competition includes several stages designed to assess candidates’ suitability for EU civil service roles, including:

• Eligibility screening

• Computer-based and/or assessment tests

• Evaluation against EPSO’s competency framework

Full details are provided in the official competition notice.

Support and Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
  https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/faqs

• Contact EPSO:
  https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/contact

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