The Blue Book Traineeship is a prestigious five-month, paid internship program run by the European Commission for university graduates. It is an opportunity for young professionals, both from EU and non-EU countries, to gain hands-on experience in European Union policymaking and administration.
About the program
- Duration: The traineeship lasts for five months. There are two sessions each year: the “Autumn” session runs from October to February, and the “Spring” session runs from March to July.
- Locations: Most trainees are placed in Brussels or Luxembourg, but positions are also available at European Commission sites in other cities across the EU.
- Placement: Trainees work in one of the European Commission’s various departments, known as Directorates-General (DGs), or services. The assignments cover a wide range of policy areas, from law and environmental policy to communications and digital transformation.
- Types of traineeships: The program offers two main tracks:
- Administrative Traineeship: For graduates interested in EU policy and governance.
- Translation Traineeship: For language specialists who work for the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT).
- Compensation: The traineeship includes a monthly grant of approximately €1,493.36 (rate as of July 2025). It may also cover some travel, visa, and medical costs.
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for the Blue Book traineeship, applicants must meet specific requirements:
- Education: Hold a standard three-year higher education degree (at least a bachelor’s degree).
- Experience: Have no more than six weeks of prior work experience within any EU institution, body, or agency.
- Language skills:
- For EU nationals: A very good knowledge of two official EU languages is required. One must be a working language of the European Commission (English, French, or German) at a C1 or C2 level. The second can be at a B2 level.
- For non-EU nationals: A very good knowledge of only one procedural language (English, French, or German) is required at a C1 or C2 level.
Application and selection process
The Blue Book traineeship is highly competitive, attracting thousands of applicants for each session. The process is multi-staged and includes:
- Online Application: Candidates register via the European Commission’s online portal and submit a single application for either the administrative or translation traineeship, along with all required supporting documents.
- Eligibility and Assessment: Applications are screened based on academic background, language skills, and other relevant qualifications. Candidates who pass are placed into a database known as the “Virtual Blue Book”.
- Placement Selection: From the Virtual Blue Book, candidates are invited to apply for up to three specific traineeship positions across the DGs, services, and agencies.
- Recruitment: Recruiting units review the tailored applications and may conduct informal interviews before making an offer. The final placement offer is confirmed through the official traineeships office.
A rewarding experience
The Blue Book traineeship provides numerous benefits for participants:
- Career springboard: Many former trainees go on to secure permanent positions within EU institutions or related sectors.
- Professional development: Trainees develop key skills in areas such as research, policy drafting, and project management by working on current EU initiatives.
- Networking: The program offers exceptional networking opportunities with EU officials, policymakers, and fellow trainees from across the globe.
- Cultural immersion: Trainees work in a diverse, multicultural environment that fosters a deeper understanding of European cooperation and culture.
I’m Peter, an education content creator focused on schools and colleges. I share news, tips, and insights that help students, parents, and educators stay informed and inspired. My goal is to make learning resources accessible, engaging, and useful for everyone in the academic community.