EU Hiring: 1,490 Admin Jobs Available – €6,150 Starting Salary
The European Union is offering a significant opportunity for graduates: a public competition to fill 1,490 administrative officer positions, with starting salaries around €6,150 gross per month. As reported by Corriere della Sera, this reopening represents a key entry point into a career within the European institutions.
Applications are open until March 10, 2026, and the competition is open to graduates of any discipline interested in working in the European public administration.
A Return to the Generalist Competition
The competition is organized by the European Personnel Selection Office (Epso), the office responsible for selecting personnel for EU institutions. This marks the return of the generalist competition for the first time in seven years, considered the primary channel for accessing permanent careers within the European administration. Interest is expected to be high: in 2019, 22,644 people applied, and for the 2026 edition, estimates range between 50,000 and 60,000 applicants – an increase of over 150%.
The Salary and Benefits
The strong competition is offset by the economic and professional conditions offered: in addition to the base salary, an expatriation allowance of 16% is provided, along with European health insurance and career prospects that, at the highest levels, can reach approximately €21,000 per month.
Growing Italian Representation
In recent years, Italian participation in European competitions has grown steadily. Currently, Italy has approximately 2,570 employees in the European Commission, representing 10.2% of the total, and is the second most represented country in senior management positions after Germany. Competitive salaries compared to the Italian market, job security, and international prospects explain the increasing appeal of careers within EU institutions.
What Does a European Union Administrator Do?
The role of a European Union administrator doesn’t equate to a simple clerical position. It’s a professional role with transversal skills that can involve:
- Analysis of political and legal issues
- Drafting European legislation
- Coordination between institutions
- Management of programs and projects
- Institutional communication activities
Work is conducted in multicultural teams and concerns dossiers that impact European policies and the lives of hundreds of millions of citizens.
Where Can Winners Work?
Those who successfully pass the competition may be assigned to various institutions or bodies of the Union, including:
- The European Parliament
- The European Commission
- The Council of the European Union
- The Court of Justice of the European Union
- Various European agencies
Work areas can range from the environment to the digital sector, from competition to international relations. Since the competition is generalist, the destination is not chosen at the time of application; curriculum, language skills, and educational background will guide subsequent assignments.
The Selection Process
The selection process involves several stages, including:
- Tests of verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning
- A questionnaire on knowledge of European institutions
- Tests on digital skills
- A written test on European topics
Candidates can choose two languages from the 24 official languages of the Union to take the tests. You can find more information about the European Union and its functions on the official EU website: https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en. Further details on the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and its competitions can be found on their website: https://epso.europa.eu/. For a broader understanding of the European Union’s structure and history, Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union.