European Commission Blue Book Paid Traineeship 2026 for University Graduates Worldwide

The Blue Book Traineeship programme is a five-month paid internship offered by the European Commission, providing graduates from around the world with hands-on experience in EU policymaking and administration. 

Trainees work in a multicultural environment, develop professional skills, and gain insights into the operations of EU institutions.

• Table of Content
• About European Commission
• Blue Book Paid Traineeship
• Aim and Benefits of Blue Book Paid Traineeship
• Requirements for Blue Book Paid Traineeship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Blue Book Paid Traineeship

Aim and Benefits of Blue Book Paid Traineeship

• 2 sessions a year
• +/- 1,000 traineeship positions available per session
• 1,493.36€ grant

Requirements for Blue Book Paid Traineeship Qualification

The Blue Book Traineeship programme is open to university graduates who:

1. have completed a standard 3-year higher education degree (minimum EQF 6 level), corresponding to a complete Bachelor’s cycle, or equivalent. Only if you have a certificate or official confirmation from your university that you have such a degree will you be eligible to apply.
   
   You will have to provide the following documents:
   • diplomas or certificates with final grades clearly indicated
   • and proof of minimum EQF 6 level. Find out more about EQF levels
      
2. have no prior work experience of any kind, in excess of 6 weeks in any EU institution, body or agency, delegation, with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), or Advocates General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (EUCJ)
    
3. have a very good knowledge of languages:

• For the administrative traineeship – you must have a very good knowledge of two EU official languages, one of which must be a working language: English, French or German at C1 or C2 level as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and a second one at B2 level at least as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
  For non-EU nationals, only one procedural language is required at C1 or C2 level.
• For the translation traineeship in the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) – you must be able to translate into your main/target language (normally your mother tongue), from two other official EU languages (‘source languages’*).:
  • your main/target language must be one of the official EU languages
  • your first source language for translation must be a working language of the EU: English, French or German (C level or mother tongue)
  • your second source language can be any of the official EU languages with at least B2-level proficiency

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit European Commission Traineeship webpage