Career opportunities in Europe: EU seeks young talent

University graduates can currently apply for a career at the European Union. Comprehensive information on the current selection process will be provided at an online event on 18 February 2026, where experts from Parliament, the Commission and the Federal Foreign Office will give practical insights into application processes and career opportunities.

For the first time since 2019, the European Union is once again organising an open competition ("Concours") for university graduates in the "Administration" (AD 5) function group. The selection procedure opens up the possibility of permanent employment as a civil servant with the EU institutions for qualified young professionals and offers a wide range of career prospects in an international working environment. The application period for the competition opens on 5 February 2026 and closes on 10 March 2026 at 12:00 (noon) Brussels local time.

The Liaison Office of the European Parliament, the Representation of the European Commission in Germany and the Federal Foreign Office are organising a joint information event to accompany the competition. This will take place on Wednesday 18 February from 16:00 to 17:30 and is aimed at anyone interested in finding out more about a career as an EU civil servant.

Under the title "A career as an EU official: more than a job", participants will gain insights into the current selection procedure for so-called generalists. Topics covered will include how to prepare for the selection procedure, common mistakes in the application process and career opportunities and fields of work at the European Commission and the European Parliament.

One of the speakers will be Tim Nover from the Federal Foreign Office, who will explain the current selection procedure of the European Personnel Selection Office. Tim Nover is already known to many Bocholters as an expert from two previous visits to the city. He will be supported by Jonas Roleder, EU official at the European Parliament, and Tobias Maassen from the European Commission. Both will describe their personal journey through the selection process and provide authentic insights into their day-to-day work. In the second half of the online event, viewers will have the opportunity to put their own questions to the panel of experts.

Registration and further information

Sonja Wießmeier from EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt is coordinating registrations for the online event. She can be contacted by email at sonja.wiessmeier(at)bocholt(dot)de.

About EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt

EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt is part of the mayor's office of the city of Bocholt and is the local contact point for questions relating to the European Union. Its task is to provide local citizens with information, advice, help and answers to questions about Europe. In addition, EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt aims to promote European involvement and provide information on current European political events.