Do you want to see how the European Union really works? The European Parliament Schuman Traineeships give university graduates five months of paid work inside a major EU institution. The next session runs from 1 March to 31 July 2027. There is no application fee.
Applications are open only until 31 October 2026 so time is short.
Quick Facts
Last Information checked: 26 October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Host | European Parliament |
| Programme | Schuman Traineeships in the Secretariat |
| Places of work | Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg and selected Liaison Offices in EU countries |
| Session | 1 March to 31 July 2027 |
| Length | 5 months full time |
| Monthly grant | About 1889 euros. The official rate can change |
| Travel allowance | 300 euros flat rate |
| Number of trainees | About 500 each session and around 1000 each year |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time |
What the Traineeship Is
The European Parliament offers the Schuman Traineeship to help graduates build their careers. Participants gain hands-on experience in different fields and work with people from different countries. Training opportunities are available in Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg, and other EU locations.
Traineeship Fields
About 500 traineeships are available in these fields:
- Communication
- Law
- Multilingualism
- International relations
- Administration
- Infrastructure and logistics
- EU internal policies
- Information technology
- Human resources
- Many other fields
Traineeship Benefits
- Monthly grant. About 1889 euros a month
- Travel allowance. A flat rate of 300 euros
- Insurance. Sickness and accident during the traineeship
- Practical training. Real work inside the European Parliament
- International experience. A multicultural and multilingual workplace
- Skills. Better policy and communication skills
- Understanding. A clear view of how EU institutions work
- Network. Professional contacts across Europe
Who Can Apply
You should meet these points.
- You are at least 18 years old
- You hold a university degree or diploma
- You know one official EU language very well
- You have a very good command of another official EU language
- You have not worked for more than two consecutive months in an EU institution or body
- You did not do a study visit at the Parliament Secretariat in the six months before the traineeship starts
- You can provide a criminal record extract
- You meet the needs of the traineeship you choose
Nationality. Candidates are generally nationals of an EU member state. A limited share of places can go to nationals of other countries. One listing of the programme says this share is 10 percent of trainees. Citizens of non-member states must show good knowledge of English, French or German.
Documents You Need
- CV. The Europass format may be required
- Motivation letter. One listing says it can be up to one page for each application
- Degree certificates
- Proof of language skills
- Criminal record certificate
- Any supporting documents the offer asks for
Key Dates
- 1 to 31 October 2026: Application period
- 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time: Application deadline
- 1 March 2027: Traineeship starts
- 31 July 2027: Traineeship ends
How To Apply
- Go to the European Parliament traineeship application page.
- Read the list of traineeship offers for the March to July 2027 session.
- Choose up to three traineeships.
- Write a motivation letter for each choice.
- Fill in your details and upload your documents.
- Review everything carefully. One listing reports that you cannot change an application after you submit it.
- Submit before 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Waiting for the last day. The system can be busy near the deadline
- Choosing offers that do not match your degree or languages
- Using the same general motivation letter for all three choices
- Forgetting the criminal record extract
- Not checking whether you worked at an EU institution for more than two consecutive months
- Missing the six month rule after a study visit
- Applying for the wrong session
