AD5 Documents: Finish by 7 October Without a Portal Surprise

EPSO/AD/427/26 candidates must upload supporting documents by 7 October 2026 at 12:00 Brussels time.

This deadline is separate from the reasoning tests. It is also separate from the identity-document deadline that passed with the application. Your test score cannot compensate for missing evidence when the Selection Board checks eligibility.

The safest approach is not “upload every file I own”. It is to make every eligibility declaration traceable to one clear document in the correct place.

Start with the exact legal test

The consolidated AD5 notice says that a candidate must have completed university studies of at least three years, attested by a diploma whose award was decided no later than 30 September 2026.

No professional experience is required.

That distinction keeps the document task focused. You must prove the qualifying education. You do not need to manufacture relevance arguments for jobs, traineeships or voluntary activity in order to qualify for this AD5 competition.

Your evidence map

EPSO’s supporting-document guidance asks AD candidates to provide the post-secondary diploma that gives access to the competition together with the list of courses followed. Names, stamps, signatures and serial numbers should remain visible where applicable.

The portal rule most likely to cause trouble

The application deadline has passed. Documents uploaded now must be attached directly to the submitted application, not merely added to “My CV”.

1. Open My account.
2. Open My applications.
3. Choose My submitted applications.
4. Open the unique application ID for EPSO/AD/427/26.
5. Find the existing Education & Training entry.
6. Use the paperclip icon to attach the document to that entry.
7. Repeat for every record that needs evidence.

According to the official upload instructions, files attached only to the CV after the application deadline do not transfer to the submitted application. They are not visible to EPSO or the Selection Board.

Correct file, wrong location, invisible evidence.

What “saved automatically” does—and does not—mean

Normal document attachments are saved automatically. The portal does not show a separate save button for each attachment.

That does not remove your verification work. After uploading:

• Reopen the application.
• Confirm the attachment appears beside the correct education record.
• Open the uploaded file if the interface permits it.
• Check orientation, completeness and readability.
• Record the file name and upload date in your own audit sheet.

If EPSO later sends a specific request through “My communications”, follow that request’s submission flow. A requested document may become final after submission and may need several pages combined into one file.

The four tests every file must pass

1. Identity

Can a reviewer connect this document to you without inference? Check full name, former name where relevant, date of birth if shown and consistency with the application.

2. Authority

Does the document come from the university, awarding body, registry or competent recognition authority? A personal note or unofficial screenshot is not equivalent to an official record.

3. Completeness

Are all pages present? A transcript without its final page, a diploma with a cropped seal or a translation separated from its source document creates avoidable doubt.

4. Connection

Is the document attached to the exact record it proves? Selection Boards assess declarations against evidence. Make the comparison easy.

Five common candidate situations

Your diploma will be awarded in September

The notice allows an award decision through 30 September 2026. Request the official final award evidence now. Do not assume a provisional student-status certificate proves that the diploma was awarded.

Your diploma uses a former family name

Keep the diploma unchanged. Add the official document that connects the former and current names. Use a clear file order: diploma first, name-link document second.

Your degree was awarded outside the EU

EPSO says qualifications issued in non-EU countries must be recognised by a competent authority of an EU Member State. The recognition document is not an optional translation. Start this check immediately if it is missing.

Your university provides only digital documents

Use the official downloadable file, including verification code or digital signature where provided. Avoid browser screenshots when the institution supplies a complete PDF.

Your application contains work history

Work experience is not required for this AD5 competition. Do not let employment paperwork delay the qualifying diploma evidence. If you attach evidence to a work record, use documents that prove both duration and duties. Unsupported entries will not be considered.

A six-week document plan

The legal deadline remains 7 October at midday Brussels time. The operational deadline above is 5 October. Portal congestion, a corrupt PDF or an unexpected name mismatch deserves time to fix.

Use a claim-to-evidence sheet

Create four columns:

Do not send this private sheet to EPSO unless asked. It is your control document.

Final 15-minute audit

• The correct competition application is open.
• Every essential document is attached to the correct record.
• The diploma proves an award decision by 30 September 2026.
• The course list or diploma supplement is included.
• Any non-EU diploma has EU Member State recognition.
• Name differences are explained by official evidence.
• Files open and all pages are readable.
• No file exceeds 20 MB.
• The identity document remains valid.
• You have checked the portal again after upload.

Then return to Part 1 preparation. Use the training planner to protect reasoning time, and use the exam builder for timed practice.

Primary sources

• EU Careers — EPSO/AD/427/26 Graduate administrators
• Consolidated notice of competition, information copy
• EU Careers — How to upload supporting documents
• EU Careers — Documents needed to prove eligibility

Last source check: 17 August 2026. The legally binding notice and messages in your Single Candidate Portal take priority over this guide.