Paid traineeships of 5 months duration for graduates who already have a university degree with at least 3 years of studies. Shorter paid traineeships for undergraduates are NOT available in the S&D Group. The S&D Group does not offer unpaid traineeships. There are six different funds that you can apply for, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, our trainees receive a traineeship allowance of €1600 per month, the reimbursement of the travel costs between home and Brussels (inward/outward), complementary sickness insurance and accident insurance. Upon presentation of proper justification, trainees with disabilities may receive a supplementary amount to cover additional living costs related to their impairment.
As a trainee, your daily work will vary depending on your profile, the needs of the service and on the team/committee in which you will be allocated. You should expect to perform specific tasks linked to our parliamentary activities and support the work of our MEPs and staff, such as:
- Taking part in all relevant meetings at unit, working groups, committee, and S&D Group level, as well as external meetings; and preparing minutes and briefings notes where required.
- Actively following the legislative procedures of specific reports under the guidance and supervision of the tutor.
- Supporting the administrators in drafting amendments, opinions, reports, letters, background notes, including liaising with the MEPs.
- General administrative support (including preparing correspondence, documents and dossiers for meetings and preparing events and conferences).
- Carry out research on relevant topics. In addition, you will also be asked to follow, at least once, the work of the European Parliament during its plenary sessions in Strasbourg. You will be placed under the responsibility of a tutor who will guide and supervise your work.
You will also be invited to take part in an Induction Programme, at the beginning of your traineeship, that includes various conferences, meetings, presentations and visits to other EU institutions and sister organisations (in Brussels).
Applications for traineeships are open twice a year:
- in October, for traineeships starting in mid-February until mid-July the following year;
- in May, for traineeships starting in mid-September until mid-February.
There is a maximum of 20 places per semester.
This can vary, but generally, there are 400-500 applications per semester in total for all funds, out of which around 4 - 5% are selected (per semester).
5 months.
There are two 5 months traineeship periods every year:
- Mid-February to mid-July (first traineeship period)
- Mid-September to mid-February (second traineeship period)
It takes place in Brussels.
No. There are no traineeships during summer period.
Yes, as long as long as you fulfil the eligibility criteria.
- be aged at least 18 and maximum 35 on the traineeship start date;
- be nationals of a Member State of the European Union unless the provisions of Article 26 apply;
- share the values of the Group;
- have a university degree (at least a BA or equivalent degree);
- have a thorough knowledge of English or French. A good knowledge of another of the official languages of the European Union is a plus.
Yes.
Yes.
No.
In order to apply you must be aged between 18 and 35 years old on the first day of your traineeship.
Have a thorough knowledge of English or French. A good knowledge of another of the official languages of the European Union is a plus.
Yes. The S&D Group offers a limited number of traineeships to applicants from outside the European Union through the Herwig Kaiser - International Cooperation Fund. If you are selected, you will need to apply for any visas, residence or work permits required. The expenses incurred will be reimbursed by the S&D Group.
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Yes, but if you are selected you will need to provide an official statement from your university confirming that you obtained your diploma at least one day before the first day of your traineeship.
Yes. However, a translation in EN or FR of the diploma must be provided, together with the description of the EU equivalent degree.
You have to apply online via the link provided on the S&D traineeship website.
No, the S&Ds do not accept spontaneous applications for traineeships.
No, the application form is available in English and French. Your CV (EUROPASS format) and motivation letter must also be drafted in English or French.
No, you have to apply for each traineeship period separately.
You should only list qualifications relevant to the traineeship and areas of interest selected. Generally, primary/secondary school qualifications are not considered relevant, unless they are the only way you can prove your knowledge of certain languages.
Yes. You are not required to have any work experience in order to apply for a traineeship.
Yes. During each application period, you may send a maximum of two applications, only in the case that one of the applications is for the Francis Vals Fund. In case you do not respect this rule, the latest submitted application will be considered.
Given that the selection process is very competitive, your motivation plays a key role in deciding if you are selected or not. Keep it simple and informative. Tell us why you are applying for this traineeship and explain why this position appeals to you. Give a brief summary of the main characteristics that set you apart from other applicants. Do not repeat your CV. Use the space to tell us something that will make a difference and will show that you have something valuable to contribute to our political family, our values and to the EU institutions.
Validated online applications for the first traineeship period (mid-February to midJuly) will be examined as of November (of the preceding year). Selected candidates will be contacted in December at the latest. Validated online applications for the second traineeship period (mid-September to mid-February) will be examined as of June. Selected candidates will be contacted in July at the latest. Successful applicants will receive an offer by e-mail stating the period of their traineeship. Once the offer has been accepted, the S&D Group will send the sample traineeship agreement. Please check your SPAM folder regularly.
Yes, your CV in the EUROPASS format (EN or FR).
Once submitted, it is no longer possible to modify your application.
Once you submit your application, you will receive an automatic email from the system.
If not specified differently in the call for applications, there is no need to submit any documents proving your eligibility when you submit your application online. Once the selection procedure is over, we will contact the selected candidates with an offer. Only then should you submit the requested documents.
Trainees are selected based on merit, taking into consideration the information provided in the application form. In some cases, candidates might be interviewed on the phone or via video conference (in this case candidates will be contacted). The applications for the Francis Vals Fund are assessed by the national delegations. The applications for all other funds are assessed through selection board panels organised within the secretariat. In case of equal merit, the S&D Group endeavours to ensure gender balance and geographical diversity.
All candidates will be notified by e-mail. Individual feedback will not be provided.
No, the results are not published. All candidates receive information on the outcome by email.
No, if you decline the traineeship offer, you need to apply again.
Yes, you can apply again if you fulfil the eligibility criteria, but you must fill in a new application in a subsequent call.
Only in the case of successful candidates refusing the offer, will candidates on the reserve list be contacted, by order of merit. This could happen anytime, although very rarely, even at the last minute just before the beginning of the traineeship.
This can be requested, but rejected because the Induction Programme is an essential component of the traineeship. However, in very exceptional and duly justified cases, it may be possible to delay the start date of the traineeship. The end date of the traineeship will not be affected and remains the same.
No. If you cancel your traineeship, you would need to apply again.
Yes. Each selected trainee receives a sample traineeship agreement, which is sent by e-mail prior to the start date. The traineeship agreement will be signed on the first day of the traineeship.
Supporting documents are accepted in all official languages of the EU. It is also helpful to provide the English or French version of diplomas, if available. Applicants whose diplomas are not issued in one of the EU official languages must provide a translation of these documents into English or French.
No. Supporting documents need to be sent by e-mail. There is no need to provide certified copies. However, in case of falsification of documents or false declarations, the candidate’s traineeship will be terminated.
No. The language certificate(s) will not be requested. However, you may be interviewed by phone to assess your language skills at any stage of the selection procedure.
The Expat Welcome Desk of the Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations will help you, free of charge, with any practical or legal problem that may arise during your stay, such as how to register with your municipality, questions about lease contracts or any other matter regarding settling down in Brussels.
Web: Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations
E-mail: info@commisioner.brussels
Phone: +32 (0) 2430 66 00
Yes. At the beginning of the traineeship, trainees follow a 5 days Induction Programme with an introduction to the work of the S&D Group and S&D Secretariat in the European Parliament. The programme includes different meetings and visits to other EU institutions (e.g. Council, Commission) and our sister organisations (PES, FEPS, FES, YES, etc.).
In exceptional cases and based on a substantiated request by the trainee, the traineeship can be terminated early (with a two weeks’ written notice).
On the basis of a reasoned request from the trainee, a traineeship may be interrupted by means of a decision by the S&D Secretary-General. During that period, payment of the monthly allowance will be interrupted and the trainee will not be entitled to any reimbursement of travel expenses associated with the interruption.
No. Trainees are responsible for finding and paying for their accommodation during the traineeship.
Normal working hours are between 8h30 - 13h00 and 13h30 - 18h from Monday to Thursday and 8h30 to 12h30 on Friday (40-hours week). The exact working hours may be decided with your tutor, based on the needs of the service.
You are entitled to 10 days leave to be taken in agreement with the tutor and competent HR service. Days of leave not taken will not be reimbursed.
No, there is no formal dress code. It is expected to dress appropriately to your functions and tasks. Trainees are recommended to dress “smart casual” and more formally, if protocol requires so.
No. All trainees have to work full time, namely 40 hours/week.
Each trainee is assigned a traineeship adviser (tutor) who is responsible for providing guidance during the traineeship.
Tutors receive guidelines before the traineeship starts and exchange practices regularly.
You should immediately inform your tutor and the traineeship coordinator in human resources. As from the fourth day of absence, a medical certificate is required indicating how long you will be absent.
No. Traineeships run for 5 months and may not be extended.
Trainees will be sent on mission to Strasbourg once, and possibly a second time when justified in the interest of the service, to observe parliamentary work. In exceptional cases and if needed, trainees might be sent on missions related to their tasks and/or special activities of the Group outside the usual working places.
Yes. Trainees are allowed to telework 3 half days per week (4 during “Green Weeks”).
In 2024, the monthly allowance is €1600 per month. Upon presentation of proper justification, trainees with disabilities may receive a supplementary amount to cover additional living costs related to their impairment. The traineeship monthly allowance is paid at the beginning of the traineeship period, and subsequently in the middle of each month that follows.
All trainees are insured, free of charge, for the duration of the traineeship. Health insurance is provided by Allianz Worldwide Care. Detailed information can be found on their website. This insurance covers the trainee only (not family members). As a primary coverage, EU trainees must have a European Health Insurance Card from their own country, which covers any periods away from home.
Trainees are entitled to a travel allowance (€300 ceiling per way), which is a contribution towards the journey between the trainees’ home address and Brussels (outward/return). Travel expenses will be reimbursed as long as the travel is taking place up to one month before the start of the traineeship and one month after the end of the traineeship. In addition, for the plenary session in Strasbourg, trainees also receive an allowance to cover the mission expenses (travel, accommodation, daily allowance) in line with the S&D Group’s internal rules on missions.
Trainees do not receive any lunch vouchers; however, with the badge, trainees will get a discount in the EP canteens. Trainees are not entitled to reimbursement of public transport expenses. Trainees can benefit from special rates at the fitness centre situated in the European Parliament’s premises.
No, you can use a bank account in another country, provided it is in your name and that it accepts transfers in euros. You will have to bear any costs that may arise from transfers.
No. It is not possible to receive an advance payment. The first payment will be issued as from the first day of your traineeship, upon signature of the traineeship agreement.
Yes, automatically. All trainees receive an advance payment of maximum €300, the week before the mission to Strasbourg.
As the traineeship is not considered an employment, your monthly allowance is not a salary. Nothing is deducted from your monthly allowance (neither social security, nor taxes). As for social security payments, each country has its own laws, so you should find out how to proceed in your country. As regards taxes, the monthly allowance is subject to the weighting applicable in the country in which the traineeship takes place.
Yes. At the beginning of the traineeship, all trainees are equipped with an office PC, a hybrid computer and headsets. The IT equipment will be returned at the end of the traineeship.
Yes. Trainees share two offices of 4 and one office of 12.
- Published: 27/02/2024
- Published: 27/02/2024