Four paths into the EU institutions

The European Union employs staff across four distinct categories, each with its own competition track, eligibility requirements, and career trajectory. Understanding which category fits your profile is the first strategic decision in your EPSO journey.

AD — Administrators

Administrators are the policy backbone of the EU. They draft legislation, negotiate international agreements, manage EU funds, and represent the Union externally. This is the "cadre" category — the professional grade that most university graduates target.

Entry requirements

• AD5 (entry level): University degree of at least 3 years (bachelor or higher). No professional experience required.
• AD7: University degree + 6 years of relevant professional experience.
• AD9/AD10: University degree + 12 years of relevant experience.

Specialisations

AD competitions come in two flavours: generalist (policy, administration, communication, HR) and specialist (lawyers, economists, auditors, IT professionals, translators, statisticians, scientists). Specialist competitions typically require domain-specific qualifications and experience.

Salary range (2025-2026)

AD5 entry salary: €6,152 – €6,961/month gross, plus 16% expatriation allowance if posted outside your home country, family allowances, and 80% healthcare coverage. EU officials pay a reduced community tax and are exempt from national income tax.

Career progression

AD grades run from AD5 to AD16 (senior management). Promotion happens through biennial exercises based on merit reports. The typical career arc: AD5 → AD7 within 4-6 years → AD9 within 10-12 years. Management positions (Head of Unit) start at AD9/AD10.

AST — Assistants

Assistants provide technical and administrative support across all EU institutions. They handle the operational backbone: document management, IT support, accounting, communication, project coordination.

Entry requirements

• Secondary education diploma (baccalaureate equivalent) or vocational training.
• Professional experience requirements vary by competition — some require none, others up to 3 years.

Typical roles

• Administrative and financial assistants
• IT support and systems administration
• Communication and event coordination
• Human resources support
• Accounting and budget execution

Career progression

AST grades run from AST1 to AST9. Promotion follows the same biennial merit-based cycle. With a certification procedure, AST staff can transition to the AD function group — though this path is competitive and limited.

AST/SC — Secretaries & Clerks

The AST/SC category covers office management and direct administrative support roles. These are entry-level positions focused on clerical, secretarial, and operational tasks.

Entry requirements

• Secondary education diploma + relevant professional experience, or vocational training.
• Strong language skills are critical — many roles require managing correspondence and documents in multiple EU languages.

Typical roles

• Calendar and meeting management for senior officials
• Document processing and formatting
• Database management and data entry
• Travel coordination and logistics
• Front desk and reception duties

Career progression

AST/SC grades run from AST/SC1 to AST/SC6. Transition to AST or AD categories is possible through internal certification or by passing a new competition.

CAST — Contract Agents

CAST (Contract Agents Selection Tool) is fundamentally different from the other three. It is a permanent rolling recruitment — there is no deadline to apply. You register in the CAST Permanent database and get invited to test when an institution has a matching vacancy.

Function Groups

Key differences from permanent staff

• Contract duration: Fixed-term, generally up to 6 years maximum, renewable.
• No permanent status: Contract agents do not have the same employment protection as officials.
• Lower salary scale: Comparable work at lower pay than equivalent AD/AST grades.
• Stepping stone: Many contract agents use the position to gain EU institutional experience, then pass an open competition to become permanent officials.

The CAST process

1. Register in the CAST Permanent database on eu-careers.europa.eu (no deadline).
2. Wait for an institution to express a need matching your profile.
3. Receive an invitation to take computer-based tests (verbal, numerical, abstract reasoning).
4. If you pass, your name enters the pool for that institution's vacancies.
5. Interview with the hiring service.

Which path should you choose?

The answer depends on three factors: your education level, your professional experience, and your career ambition.

• University graduate, no EU experience: AD5 generalist competition. Highest competition ratio but best long-term career trajectory.
• University graduate, wants immediate EU entry: CAST FG IV for a contract position while preparing for the next AD competition.
• Diploma holder with technical skills: AST competition for a permanent operational role.
• Looking for any EU foot in the door: CAST FG II or III — rolling recruitment, no deadline pressure.