European Union (EU) administrators work in all institutions of the European Union including the European Parliament, the Council, the European Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Ombudsman. You could be a Grade AD administrator (developing and implementing policies) or a Grade AST administrative assistant (working in a supporting role).

The Work

Grade AD administrator

You could be:

• drafting policies and new laws in areas such as trade, environment, science and technology, social affairs, transport or agriculture
• answering questions from members of the European Parliament and advising them on EU law and policy
• representing the Institutions of the EU
• researching, collecting and interpreting information
• coordinating broad economic policy across different Member States
• giving talks and writing reports
• carrying out trade negotiations with non-EU countries
• working with bodies such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or business groups
• drafting a decision of the European Court of Justice or the European Ombudsman.

Grade AST administrative assistant

You could be:

• providing secretarial, administrative or financial support to Grade AD administrators
• managing documents and collecting and interpreting information
• managing people, finances and budgets, computers and equipment.

Pay

Salaries are paid in euros. The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the department in which you work
• the demand for the job.

Assistant grades range from AST1 to AST11. Basic AST salaries start at €2,300 per month. Administrator grades range from AD5 to AD16. Top AD16 administrators with more than 4 years' experience can earn €16,000 a month. An additional allowance of 16% of basic salary is given to those working away from their EU country. There are generous allowances and a good pension scheme.

Conditions

• You would work in Brussels or Luxembourg, but you might have to go to meetings anywhere in the world. The majority of EU staff work in Brussels.
• You would spend most of your time at a desk or in meetings.
• Hours are usually regular, except during important meetings or when you have to meet a deadline.
• Part time work and flexi time might be possible.
• Salaries are based on the highest waged member state and are attractive to UK staff.

Useful Subjects

• Administration and IT
• Business
• Economics
• Mathematics
• Modern Languages
• Physics
• Science

Getting In

For Grade AD administrator

• You need a degree in any subject to start as a junior administrator at AD5 grade.
• You will need a degree and at least one year's relevant experience to start at grade AD6 or 7.
• A degree in law, finance, economics, maths, statistics or science is specified for some jobs.
• For some jobs you need 1-3 years suitable professional experience after your degree. Experience before your degree does not count towards this.

For Grade AST administrative assistant

You need 3-4 Highers and at least 2 to 3 years’ suitable work experience or a relevant Higher National Diploma (HND), depending on whether you start at grade AST1 or AST3.

For both grades

• You must be a citizen of an EU state.
• Entry is very competitive as there are few vacancies.
• Your main language (the language you know best) must be one of the 23 official languages of the EU. You must besides this have a very good knowledge of a second language which must be either English, French or German.
• Linguists (interpreters, translators, lawyer-linguists) must have additional knowledge of languages above the minimum stated above.
• Application for all jobs is made through an annual selection process known as open competition. This is made up of two parts, a computer based test in your own country, followed by an assessment stage held in Brussels. The assessment comprises a case study, group exercise, oral presentation and structured interview.
• Successful completion of this stage leads to you being placed on a reserve until a suitable job comes up. This could take up to one year.
• Check the European Personnel Selection Office website for details of the competitions timetables and sample questions.

Contract agents

• As well as the permanent posts filled by open competition, vacancies arise from time to time for contract agent jobs which can lead to short term or lifelong posts.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2026

16757

1.4 %

RISE

2031

16997

  United Kingdom

2026

146525

2.9 %

RISE

2031

150787

LMI data powered by Lightcast

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• interested in current affairs
• able to make decisions and work to deadlines
• willing to develop your knowledge and skills
• able to understand complicated ideas
• confident
• able to negotiate
• able to learn languages quickly
• able to adapt quickly to living and working abroad.

You should have:

• a good memory
• excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills
• good general knowledge.

Training

• As a new member of staff you will have a series of induction courses and you will complete a 9-month probationary period.
• Once you take up post, you do professional training, including intensive language study.
• Before your first promotion you must show a knowledge of a third language.
• You usually spend three to six years in each grade. There is an annual appraisal and promotion system.

Getting On

• Each grade has five levels which you automatically pass through but you have to pass an open competition to enter the next grade.
• You could move through the Grade AD posts from AD5 to AD16 and on to become head of a unit and then a director or director general.
• Heads of Unit are appointed from grades 9 to 14, while Directors and Directors-General occupy grades 14/15 and 15/16 respectively.
• You might take part in an exchange with administrative staff from other EU states.

More Information

The European Union (EU) is made up of 28 countries that work together for the benefit of their citizens. The largest employer of staff is the European Commission employing some 32,000 staff.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.