Twice a year the General Secretariat of the Council offers 5-month paid traineeship periods in Brussels:

• 1 February to 30 June (first period)
• 1 September to 31 January (second period)

 

Regular paid traineeships

Eligibility

• Applicants must be an EU citizen;
• Hold a university degree (at bachelor’s (BA) level or higher) by the closing date for applications at the latest;
• Proficiency in English or French (C1 level) and very good knowledge of at least one EU official language;
• Completing the first cycle of higher education is necessary.
• No previous training (paid or unpaid) or employment for more than six weeks at an EU institution, body, agency or office.

 

Benefits

• A monthly grant of €1 538.16 net.
• Two days of leave per month.
• €70 monthly allowance for use in Council’s restaurants.
• A travel allowance.

 

Application deadline: 19 March 2026, 12:00 CET.

 

Positive Action Programme for Trainees with a Disability

Eligibility

• EU nationals with a recognised disability.
• They must be at least a third-year student/college of a university/college and have a recognised disability.

 

Benefits

A monthly grant of €1 538.16 net and up to 50% disability allowance on top.

Application deadline: 19 March 2026, 12:00 CET.

 

For detailed information on the programme, join the info session on September 16 to learn everything you need to know. Register here.

Traineeships for students of national administration schools

Eligibility

• Students of national administration schools from EU Member States or candidate countries that have signed the accession treaty.
• Traineeships are split into 2 different periods, each lasting from 2 to 5 months
• Applications must be sent to the Traineeships Office by the candidates’ national administration school.
• For assistance contact: traineeships@consilium.europa.eu.

 

Read more here.