A work experience in the heart of Europe: internships at the EU institutions

Are you really interested in the European Union and its activities? Do you want to get involved while spending some time abroad? Do you want to understand how the behind-the-scenes process of the European Institutions works and gain a (first) work experience?

Then an internship at the institutions of the European Union suits you best! Do you want to find out how to join? Well then, keep reading!

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What are the EU internships in the Institutions?

An internship at the EU Institutions is a temporary job opportunity, usually of an average duration between 3 to 5 months. The internship can be carried out at one of the Institutions of the European Union, such as the offices of the European Parliament, the Liaison Offices in the Member States, the Court of Justice or the various European Agencies. 

The internships at the European Parliament are definitely the most popular and there are two types:

In addition, you can do an internship at other EU Institutions, such as:

Moreover, there are many opportunities to carry out internships at various European Agencies, such as EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) or EUSPA (EU Agency for the Space Programme), which offer more specific roles in their respective sectors. 

Click here and select the organisation you are interested in to check all the available internships.

How do the EU internships work?

Depending on the type of internship, the procedures change. Now let’s take a look at how they work, how long they last and your possible tasks during the internships:

  • Schuman internships: these internships relate to various fields, such as EU internal and external policies, finance, law, translation and interpreting, journalism and IT. They last 5 months and are held from October to the end of February or from March to the end of July.
  • Internships with Members of the European Parliament: the purpose is to allow the trainee to work closely with a Parliament member and understand their work. You will decide with the Member of Parliament the duration of your internship, which normally varies from 1 to 5 months. You can start your internship at any time.
  • Internships at the Court of Justice: they can be carried out in the translation, research and documentation offices, legal office, administration and Registry of the Court. They usually last from 10 to 12 weeks.
  • Internships at the Central Bank: it’s perfect if you are interested in the financial and economic field and have a degree in economics. They last from 6 to 12 months.
  • Internships at the EU Delegations worldwide: they are perfect if you want to understand how the EU Institutions work within individual countries and within non-member countries that have relations with the European Union. Here you can indeed further explore your knowledge of the EU foreign policies and their implementation. The duration of these internships varies depending on the Delegation.

How can you apply for the EU internships in the EU Institutions?

Requirements for the application are different, it depends on the type of internship or institution. Below, you will find the necessary steps to apply for the internships described above:

  • Schuman internships: you must be 18 years old; you must have a degree; you must possess the required language skills (which vary based on the activity you will carry out); you must provide an extract from your criminal record; you must have not worked for more than two consecutive months in an EU Institution or body; you must have not visited an EU Institution for the purpose of learning or research in the six months prior to the start of the internship.

If you are interested in this type of internship and want to register, click here.

  • Internships with Members of the European Parliament: please contact directly the Member of the EU Parliament of your interest to apply. Here you can find a list of all the MEPs. 
  • Internships at the Court of Justice: you must have a degree in law or political science or in conference interpreting if you are an interpreter. To check the deadlines for submitting your application and to apply, visit this website. 
  • Internships at the Central Bank: the requirements for these internships vary depending on the role, but you will always be required to possess an economic degree and an excellent knowledge of the English language. If you want to view all the currently available offers, click here and select students/graduates.
  • Internships at the EU Delegations around the world: the requirements for these internships are variable. Find out all the opportunities and the information you need at this link, in the traineeships section. 

Which expenses are included?

During your internship you will have the right to an allowance; its amount depends on the type of assignment, duration, and job location.

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