European Union Blue Book Traineeships program 2026 ( Fully Funded) : Unlock Your Career in EU Institutions

The European Blue Book Traineeship is a five-month paid internship program designed for university graduates. It provides a unique insight into the daily work of the European Commission and other EU institutions and agencies. Trainees work in a dynamic, multicultural environment, developing professional skills, expanding their networks, and gaining a deep understanding of how the EU operates.
Program overview
Category | Details |
---|---|
Program Name | Blue Book Traineeship Programme |
Duration | 5 months
traineeships.ec.europa.eu
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Frequency | Twice per year |
Type | Paid internship |
Monthly Allowance | €1,493.36 |
Organizer | European Commission |
Location | EU Institutions |
Working Languages | English, French, German |
Eligibility | All EU citizens (subject to criteria) |
Education Requirement | Completed bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) |
Age Limit | No limit |
Session Periods | March-July OR October-February |
Application Window | July-August (for March session) |
Program Focus | Hands-on experience in EU policymaking and administration |
Work Environment | Multicultural setting |
Eligibility criteria
Category | Requirements |
---|---|
Citizenship | Open to EU citizens |
Education | Must be either a student or recent graduate |
Language Requirements | Two EU official languages required for administrative traineeship |
Special Language Requirements for Translation Traineeship | • Main/target language must be one of the official EU languages • First source language must be English, French, or German (C level or mother tongue) • Second source language requires B2-level proficiency in any official EU language |
Mobility | No prior work experience of any kind |
International Profile | Demonstrated through education, work, or volunteering experience abroad |
Application Period | 15 July 2025 (10:00 a.m., Brussels time) to 29 August 2025 (10:00 a.m., Brussels time) |
Application Limitations | Only one application per session and per type of traineeship (ADMIN or DGT) |
Program Duration | March 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026 |
Financial Benefits | Monthly stipend of €1,376.89 |
Additional Benefits | • Visa expenses covered • Medical costs paid • Travel expenditures reimbursed |
Mark your calendars! The application window for the March 2026 Blue Book Traineeship session is from July 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Brussels time) to August 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Brussels time). Early application is highly encouraged due to the competitive nature of the program.
The subsequent selection process typically unfolds as follows:
- Preselection: September – November 2025
- Selection: December 2025 – February 2026
- Traineeship Period: March 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
Application process
The application process is entirely online and involves several key steps:
- Create an EU Login Account: If you don’t already have one, register on the European Commission Authentication Service (EU Login) to begin your application. click here to create an account
- Complete the Application Form: Access your candidate account and fill out the online application form. Ensure all information is accurate and matches your supporting documents. You can save your progress and return to it later, but once submitted, no changes can be made.
- Upload Supporting Documents: Crucially, upload all required justification documents to support every item declared on your application form. This includes:
- A copy of your valid ID card or passport.
- University diploma(s) or certificates with final grades.
- Proof of declared language skills (certificates, university courses taught in the language).
- Proof of work experience (letters of reference, contracts, payslips).
- Proof of international mobility (Erasmus certificates, diplomas obtained abroad, volunteer work).
- A table of contents for your single PDF file containing all documents.
- Note: Non-EU language documents need to be translated into an EU working language (no certified translation necessary).
- Submit Your Application: Once you’ve meticulously completed the form and uploaded all documents, submit your application. You can only submit one application per session and per type of traineeship (administrative or translation).
- Virtual Blue Book (VBB) Portal (If Shortlisted): If you are pre-selected, you will gain access to the Virtual Blue Book portal. Here, you can view available traineeship positions offered by various Directorate-Generals (DGs), services, and agencies. You may apply for a maximum of three posts, crafting tailored cover letters for each.
For complete details on the program, visit the official traineeship page on EU website : https://traineeships.ec.europa.eu/index_en
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