Every year, thousands of Italians dream of building a career within European institutions, but few really know where to start. Working at the European Commission is one of the most prestigious and challenging professional opportunities that exist in the international institutional landscape, yet the path to getting there is often confused and unreachable.

The good news is that there is a well-defined process, accessible to anyone who possesses the right requirements and the necessary determination. In this complete guide, we will accompany you step by step through everything you need to know to apply successfully. You will find out which profiles are most sought after by the European Commission, how EPSO competitions work, what skills you need to develop and how to prepare a candidate that really stands out.

Whether you're a university student, a graduate or a professional looking for a breakthrough in your career, this guide has been designed for you. At the end of reading, you will have a clear and concrete view of all the steps to be taken to transform your European dream into a concrete professional reality.

The European Commission as employer

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union and represents one of the largest institutional employers in the world. Headquartered in Brussels and Luxembourg, and representative offices on every corner of the planet, the Commission employs tens of thousands of permanent officials organized in thematic Directorates-General, each responsible for a specific sector such as agriculture, health, climate or competition. For an Italian citizen who aspires to a stable and prestigious career, this institution represents an indispensable reference point.

Who can apply

One of the most encouraging aspects for Italian candidates is the accessibility of the entry contest. To participate in the AD5 generalist competition, the standard access level for graduates, it is enough to have a three-year degree, regardless of the discipline studied and without any requirement of previous professional experience. This means that a graduate in economics, jurisprudence, political science or any other field can apply exactly to the same conditions as those who have years of working experience behind them.

A unique working environment

The Commission's working culture is the result of a rare combination: institutional rigor and lively multiculturalism. Members come from all 27 EU Member States, work in several official languages and each decision is oriented to the European collective interest rather than to the national one. For those looking for an exciting and international environment, this is a difficult opportunity to replicate in the private sector.

Beyond the Commission: other accessible institutions

It is important to clarify a point often misunderstood by candidates: overcoming an EPSO competition does not necessarily mean working at the European Commission. The winners of the AD5 competition enter a reserve list from which they can also be recruited by the European Parliament, the EU Council, the Court of Justice and many other European agencies and agencies. This institutional plurality significantly expands the chances of being actually assumed.

Stability and career progression

Working as a permanent EU official means accessing a career regulated by the EU Staff Regulations, a regulatory framework that accurately defines grades, salaries and staff rights. It is a long-term employment, with solid contractual safeguards and a predictable and transparent pay progression, qualities difficult to find in the ordinary labour market.

How to access the European Commission: the role of EPSO

Access to a permanent position at the European Commission, or any other EU institution, passes through a single official channel: the EPSO, the European Personal Selection Office. In the past, each institution independently managed its recruitment procedures; today this function is completely centralized. As confirmed by the Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union, all contests for recruitment of staff indefinitely are organized by the ESO, regardless of the institution in which the candidate will then go to work. This means that, to aspire to stable employment with the Commission, the European Parliament or the Council of the EU, an EPSO competition must be overcome.

A highly competitive labour market

The AD5 General Competition numbers of 2026 immediately make clear the difficulty of selection. 1.490 seats are available on the reserve list, but registered candidates have already exceeded 174,000 from all EU Member States. This relationship between demand and offer makes the contest AD5 one of the most competitive selective processes in the panorama of European public employment. It is essential to understand that overcoming the selection does not guarantee immediate intake: the winners enter a reserve list from which the institutions draw according to their personal needs.

The categories of staff managed by EPSO

EPSO does not organize only one type of competition, but manages access to different categories of staff. The main are:

AST-SC: secretariat and door staff
AST: technical-administrative assistants
AD5: entry-level administrators, the most common profile among graduates
AD6-AD9: specialist administrators with specific sectoral skills
Language administrators: profiles dedicated to jurist-linguists and translators
AD10 and higher: senior roles and management
Contractual agents (FG I-IV): fixed-time contracts, accessible through the CAST procedure

How to apply: requirements and procedures

The entire application process takes place online through the EU Careers portal, with strict deadlines established by EPSO. For the expiry of 10 March 2026 at 12:00 (Brussel time), the minimum requirements for participating in the AD5 competition include three essential conditions: citizenship of a EU Member State, possession of a three-year degree obtained by 30 September 2026, and knowledge of at least two official EU languages, with level C1 in one language and B2 in the second. Respecting these basic requirements is the first step; preparing properly for testing is what determines real success in the path towards European institutions.

The reality of the reserve list: what happens after the contest

Overcoming an EPSO competition is an extraordinary result, but it is essential to immediately understand a crucial distinction: being eligible does not mean being hired. When a candidate exceeds all tests, he acquires the status of "lauréat" and is entered in a reserve list managed by the ESO. This list works as a structured database containing the profiles of all the winners, from which individual institutions draw independently whenever a vacancy opens. The European Commission, the Parliament, the Council and other EU institutions consult the list independently, without the EPSO involved in the final selection process.

The duration of the list does not guarantee an offer

The validity of the reserve list varies according to the type of competition. For generalist competitions such as AD5, the initial duration is typically one year, with the possibility of extension by EPSO according to the needs of the institutions. For specialist competitions, validity can extend up to three years. This means that it is entirely possible to stay on the list for months, or even for the entire duration of validity, without receiving any concrete offer. There is no public aggregate data on how many winners are actually contacted within the standard period, which makes it even more important to manage their expectations with realism.

The recruitment process continues after EPSO

The institutions can contact candidates on the list in two ways: looking independently between the available profiles or posting vacancies directly in the EPSO account of the eligible graduate. In both cases, the institution conducts its own selection interview, independent and autonomous with respect to the already exceeded EPSO tests. Overcoming the competition is therefore only the first step of a more articulated path.

The parallel strategy with CAST

While waiting to be contacted, it is advisable to apply actively to the positions of Contracting Agent (CAST), an always open registration procedure. Working as a contract agent allows you to acquire direct experience within the EU institutions, build an internal professional network and remain active in the European ecosystem waiting for an indefinite offer. This parallel strategy transforms a passive expectation into a concrete and targeted career growth path.

Understanding this reality must not discourage, but rather guide preparation more consciously. Those who approach the selections with a clear view of the entire path, from preparation to trials to post-contact stage, are able to plan their European career with realistic expectations and lasting motivation.

The four test areas of the EPSO AD5 competition

The EPSO competition AD5 evaluates candidates through four distinct test areas, each designed to measure specific skills. Understanding the structure of these tests is the first step necessary to address selection with awareness and method.

Mining, numerical and abstract (Language 1)

The first area includes three logical-analytical reasoning tests, administered in the first official language of the candidate (Lingua 1, at level C1). These are multiple response questions with very stringent time limits: the verbal reasoning provides 20 questions in 35 minutes and weighs for 35% on the final score, representing the test with the greater weight of the entire selection. Numerical reasoning requires 10 questions in 20 minutes, while abstract reasoning provides 10 questions in just 10 minutes; both these last two tests have a pass/not pass rating. Time pressure is a central element: any time management error can compromise the entire performance. To deepen the official type of these tests, it is useful to consult the EPSO test page on EU Careers.

EU knowledge (Language 2)

The second area evaluates the understanding of the functioning of the European Union, and is supported in the second language of the candidate (Lingua 2, at level B2). The test consists of 30 questions to be completed in 40 minutes and contributes for 25% to the final score. The questions cover European institutional architecture, fundamental treaties, key EU policies and the specific role of the European Commission and other institutions. For a novice candidate, this test requires a systematic and structured study: a general knowledge of the EU is not sufficient, but it is necessary to master the operational functioning of the institutions with a terminological precision in the foreign language chosen.

Digital skills (Language 2)

The third area measures the ability to work with digital tools and environments, reflecting the growing technological transformation within EU institutions. With 40 questions in just 30 minutes, this test imposes the tightest pace of the entire contest: about 45 seconds per question. He also weighed 25% on the final score. Digital skills are now a transversal requirement in all the Commission's Directorates-General, and this test sanctions formal recognition within the selective process.

EUFTE: the written test on European themes (Language 2)

The fourth area is the most complex and articulated. The EUFTE (Free-Text Essay on European Matters) is a 40-minute written test in Language 2, accessible exclusively to the best 2.235 candidates who have passed multiple response tests. That is 15% of the final score. EPSO provides a reference document two weeks before the test: the candidate must use it as a basis to argue structuredly on a topical European issue. The official EPSO AD5 notice analysed by the University of Trieste confirms that this test requires analysis, argumentative consistency and mastery of the foreign language.

It is important to emphasize a critical point for Italian candidates: The EUFTE is often the least-prepared proof, because the argumentative writing model required differs deeply from the academic writing typical of the Italian university system. In Italy you are accustomed to descriptive essays and content exposure; the EUFTE instead requires a thesis-arguments-conclusion structure, synthetic, direct and supported in the foreign language. Acquiring this specific method, with regular practice on simulated tracks, is the concrete difference between an insufficient computer and one that conquers the decisive points for access to the reserve list.

Language requirements: what C1 and B2 means in practice

To participate in any EPSO competition, each candidate must meet precise linguistic requirements, defined by the official EU Careers portal. The structure is bilingual by definition: It is necessary to demonstrate a C1 level in at least one of the 24 official EU languages (the so-called Language 1) and a B2 level in a second official EU language (Language 2). It is not symbolic thresholds: These skills are actually tested during exam tests.

What concretely means C1 and B2

The C1 level, defined by the Common European Framework of Reference (QCER) as "mastership", indicates the ability to understand complex texts, express themselves with fluidity and use the language in advanced academic and professional contexts. For most Italian candidates, this level naturally corresponds to its native speaker, making Italian the obvious choice as Language 1.

Level B2, on the other hand, is not a passive competence. The QCER describes it as the ability to produce clear and detailed texts on a wide range of topics. This distinction is fundamental: during the EUFTE test (the essay written on European issues), the candidate must draw up an articulated computer directly in Language 2. It is not enough to understand a text in English or French; it is necessary to produce it with argumentative consistency and lexical precision.

A strategic choice to make immediately

The selection of Language 2 is one of the most important decisions of the whole preparation. Influence directly the perceived difficulty of the tests, the time to devote to the linguistic preparation and the quality of the final essay. As EPSOHQ's guide on EPSO's linguistic requirements and the reform of 24 languages deepens, after the rulings of the EU Court of Justice of 2023 the choice has theoretically expanded to all 24 official languages, but in practice English remains the dominant language, also because most preparation materials and institutional working environments work in that language.

To prepare effectively, EPSOHQ offers EUFTE essay simulators and tutorial tools in major European languages, allowing candidates to train directly in the language they will use on the day of the exam. Initiating active language preparation is not an option in advance: it is a necessary condition to compete seriously in a contest that has collected over 174,000 applications for only 1.490 places.

salaries and benefits: how much an official of the European Commission earns

The economic question is often the first that a candidate arises, and it is right to address it with precise data. The salaries of officials of the European Union are not established by the individual Member States, but by the Statute of the European Personnel, a Community regulation which uniformly defines the conditions of employment for all staff of the EU institutions. The pay depends on two fundamental variables: the degree (grade), which indicates the hierarchical level, and the click (step), which represents the progression within that degree. The shots automatically advance every two years, ensuring periodic wage increases without formal promotion.

The salary structure: gross, net and Community taxation

The degree of entry for graduates who exceed an EPSO AD5 contest is, in fact, AD5 click 1. The gross salary at this level is approximately between 4,800 and 5,200 euro monthly. However, the fact that it surprises many candidates is the net one: Thanks to a Community internal taxation system, which is considerably more favourable than the Italian IRPF or equivalent rates in other Member States, the net pay for an AD5 with expatriation allowances is between 5,800 and 6,200 euro per month. This means that a top-level official can bring home a figure that in Italy would correspond to that of a manager with years of career behind him. The values are updated annually and depend on the personal situation of the employee, so it is essential to calculate them carefully before making any comparison.

Expatriation allowance and family allowances

For most officials working in Brussels or Luxembourg, who are not nationals of the host country, there is a decisive additional voice: the expatriation allowance, equal to 16% of the basic salary, with a minimum guaranteed amount. This component can add between 800 and 2,000 euro net monthly depending on the degree. Family allowances are added to this: the allowance for spouse or dependent partner amounts to approximately 241 euro per month plus a percentage of the basic salary, while the allowance for each dependent child reaches approximately 527 euro per month, with additional tuition fees that may cover the fees of international schools. For those with a family, the total pay package becomes even more beneficial.

Non-paying benefits: health, pension and flexibility

In addition to the salary, European Commission officials access a structured and solid benefit package. The JSIS system (Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme) covers approximately 80-85% of the health expenses for the employee and dependents, effectively eliminating the need for a supplementary private policy. The pension system is defined, with a maturing of 1.8% for each year of service and accessible after a minimum of 10 years of contribution. In addition to this, generous paid leave, up to three days of telework per week and, for those who move to the beginning of the service, a one-time allowance up to two months of basic salary. To deepen the official working conditions to the European Commission, the institutional site offers a complete and updated overview.

Calculate your expected pay with EPSOHQ

With so many variables in play, estimate your net salary is not an immediate operation. EPSOHQ includes modules dedicated to the EU salary estimation, specifically designed to help candidates calculate the expected pay taking into account all components: basic salary, expatriation allowances, family allowances and Community tax rate applicable. This approach allows you to face the path towards a career in EU institutions with a concrete and realistic economic vision, not entrusted to approximate estimates found online.

How the exam works remotely: technical preparation and logistics

Since 2025, EPSO competitions are held entirely in remote mode. It is no longer necessary to go to a physical examination center: the session takes place directly from your computer, wherever you are. This structural change simplifies logistics for many candidates, but introduces a series of mandatory technical requirements that is indispensable to know and meet before the day of the test.

Essential technical requirements

To access the exam session regularly, each candidate must have a stable and reliable internet connection, a computer with a working webcam and a silent physical environment, without visual and auditory distractions. Before the session, it is mandatory to install the specific surveillance software indicated by EPSO: This is a program that allows remote monitoring of the candidate throughout the duration of the test. The absence or malfunction of any of these elements is not a secondary issue; can permanently compromise or invalidate the test.

Preliminary system check

In the days prior to the exam, each candidate is required to complete a preliminary technical control, commonly called system check. This step checks device compatibility with surveillance software, connection quality and proper operation of the webcam. It is strongly advisable to perform this check in advance of the session date, so you have the time to solve any hardware or software incompatibilities without risking getting unprepared.

The proctor and behavioral rules

During the exam, a remote proctor monitors the candidate in real time through the webcam. Behaviours considered suspicious, such as repeatedly diverting the look from the screen, the presence of other people in the environment or abnormal noises, can lead to the interruption or cancellation of the session. The aim of the ESO is to ensure the fairness of the evaluation for all participants, regardless of their geographical position.

Simulate real conditions during preparation

Remotely testing logistics is an integral part of an effective study strategy. Those who train by reproducing the same environmental and technical conditions of the real exam, including the presence of the active webcam and the absence of distractions, develop a greater familiarity with the format and significantly reduces the performance anxiety on the day of the test. Platforms like EPSOHQ offer structured paths designed to simulate the real conditions of EPSO tests, helping candidates to present themselves to the session with the utmost preparation both content and technical.

How to prepare for EPSO competition with EPSOHQ

Dealing with an EPSO competition without a structured preparation is one of the most common mistakes among Italian candidates. The complexity of the tests, the variety of the tested areas and the level of competition — more than 174,000 candidates for only 1,490 places in the AD5 2026 — make an organized and targeted study trip indispensable. EPSOHQ is the independent training platform designed specifically to meet this requirement, offering structured courses for AD, AST, AST-SC and CAST categories that systematically cover all four evaluation areas required by EPSO: verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning; knowledge of the European Union; digital skills; and EUFTE written argumentative proof.

The EUFTE module: bridge a real gap

Among the preparation areas, the EUFTE (EU Free-Text Essay) test is what Italian candidates tend to underestimate more. It is an argumentative essay to be drawn up in a language other than its native language, usually in English or French, following a precise format that the ESO expects to find. Writing fluently is not enough: We must be able to build a coherent, balanced and relevant argument on European issues, respecting the structure awaited by the Committee on the Environment. The EUFTE module on EPSOHQ guides candidates step by step through this competence, providing concrete examples, gradual exercises and clear evaluation criteria. For those who want to deepen the structure of the tests, it is useful to also consult resources such as this complete webinar on EPSO AD5 tests, which offers a practical overview of the structure of the contest.

Numerical reasoning: a critical area for Italian candidates

The numerical reasoning is historically one of the greatest difficulties for candidates from the training systems of southern Europe. EPSO tests require calculation speed, mastery of division and ability to interpret statistical data in very reduced times. EPSOHQ includes specific and progressive exercises on these skills, allowing the candidate to build computational automatisms through repeated and guided practice.

Flexible plans and total accessibility

EPSOHQ adopts a flexible and scalable access model. The free plan allows you to immediately start the preparation without any economic commitment, ideal for those who want to evaluate the platform before investing. The Pro Plan unlocks full access to all materials, realistic examination simulations and specialized modules, including the one dedicated to the estimate of the salary of EU officials (EU salary estimation), a practical tool to understand the pay structure of European institutions.

The platform is accessible from any device, computer, tablet or smartphone, without installing additional software. This means you can prepare yourself anywhere: during a train ride, lunch break or at home, adapting your study to your own pace of life without sacrificing the quality of the content.

From where to start today: a practical checklist for Italian candidates

Now that you have a complete view of the competition, the selection process and the trials that await you, it is time to transform the information into concrete action. Here is an operational checklist designed specifically for Italian candidates who want to start today.

1. Check eligibility requirements first of all. Make sure you have the citizenship of a Member State of the EU, have already obtained or are in the process of obtaining a three-year degree by 30 September 2026, and can demonstrate a C1 level in your Language 1 and B2 in the Language 2 choice. These three requirements are non-negotiable: the lack of even one involves automatic exclusion from the procedure.

2. Create your profile on the EU Careers portal now. Don't wait for the next call to register. The online application form requires a detailed compilation of professional experiences, qualifications and language skills. Familiarizing with the platform in advance allows you to avoid errors under pressure, since the application windows are often very short.

3. Choose your Language 2 carefully and start training. English and French are the most frequent choices among Italian candidates. The EUFTE test, which requires written production based on European issues, takes place entirely in Language 2. Start reading official documents of EU institutions in that language right away.

4. Access EPSOHQ free plan for a first self-assessment. Before planning a course of study, it is essential to understand your starting point in the areas of verbal, numerical, abstract reasoning and EU knowledge. The EPSOHQ free plan allows you to do exactly this without any initial economic commitment.

5. Plan a realistic and structured study calendar. With over 174,000 competing candidates for only 1,490 seats, the success rate is less than 1%. In this context, systematic and constant preparation is not an optional advantage: is the determining variable between those who access the reserve list and those who are eliminated in the very first stages. Dedicate regular sessions to each test area, progressively increasing the intensity as the test date approaches.

Conclusion: the European Commission is accessible, but requires serious preparation

Working at the European Commission is a concrete and attainable goal for Italian graduates. It is not a dream reserved for a few elect, but requires clarity: over 174,000 candidates compete for 1,490 places in the AD5 contest, a relationship that makes this selection one of the most competitive in the world. The awareness of this reality must not discourage, but guide the choices of preparation from the first day.

Knowing the structure of the EPSO competition, the operation of the reserve list, the four test areas and the methods of the examination remotely is not an option: it is the indispensable starting point to build a solid application. Those who face these tests without a structured preparation disperse time and precious opportunities.

EPSOHQ is the platform designed to accompany Italian candidates at every stage of the route, from numerical and verbal reasoning tests to EUFTE, with flexible plans suitable for each starting level, from free plan to advanced packages.

The best time to start is now. Each structured study week results in a real and measurable advantage over other candidates.