EPSO Competition Calendar 2026: What's Open, What's Coming, and How to Prepare

2026 is the biggest year for EU recruitment in over a decade

When EPSO published its 2026 competition calendar in December 2025, it was the most ambitious list in years. The reason: the EU institutions are undergoing a generational shift. Many senior officials are approaching retirement, the Commission is expanding its digital and security capabilities, and there is strong political will to bring fresh talent into the European civil service.

This means more competitions, more profiles, and more reserve list places than candidates have seen in a long time. Here is the complete picture of what is available and what is coming.

Current status: March 2026

AD5 Graduate Administrators — Applications closed

The AD5 generalist competition — the main entry route to becoming a permanent EU administrator — attracted a historic 174,900+ applicants. If you applied, you now have a valuable preparation window of several months to build your skills and confidence before tests begin.

The test format includes verbal reasoning (20 questions, 35 min), numerical reasoning (10 questions, 20 min), abstract reasoning (10 questions, 10 min), EU knowledge (multiple choice), digital skills (40 questions, 30 min), and a written test (EUFTE essay).

What to do now: Focus your preparation on verbal reasoning (35% of final score) and EU knowledge (25% of final score) — these two components alone determine 60% of your ranking.

CAST Permanent — Always open

CAST (Contract Agents Selection Tool) Permanent is the EU's continuous recruitment system for contract staff. Unlike competitions, there is no application deadline — you register your profile and institutions search the database when they have vacancies.

When shortlisted, you are invited to take reasoning tests (verbal, numerical, abstract). If you pass, you go on a list from which institutions can recruit directly.

Why consider CAST: It is the fastest path into an EU institution. Contract agent positions are available across all institutions and agencies, in Brussels, Luxembourg, and other EU locations. Many contract agents later move to permanent positions through internal competitions or new external competitions.

What to do now: Register your profile on the EU Careers portal. Make sure your qualifications, languages, and field of expertise are accurately described — institutions search by these criteria.

Coming in 2026: the specialist competitions

EPSO has announced the following competitions for publication during 2026. Exact dates are subject to change as EPSO completes the transition to its new testing platform (OAT).

Profiles worth watching

Lawyer-Linguists are among the most unique EU profiles — you need both a law degree and near-native proficiency in an EU language, plus thorough knowledge of a second. These competitions typically have fewer applicants relative to places, making them a strong opportunity for qualified candidates.

ICT Experts at AST grade cover three distinct fields: IT infrastructure and cloud/networks, software development, and user support. These are technical roles and the tests will include domain-specific questions. If you have IT experience, this is a direct path into EU service.

Auditors work primarily at the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg but also in other institutions. Expect domain-specific questions on financial management, internal controls, and EU budget procedures.

Data Management Experts reflect the EU's growing investment in digital transformation. These roles are increasingly central to policy-making and institutional operations.

How to prepare when you do not know the exact date

The fact that exact dates are not yet confirmed is actually an advantage for proactive candidates. Here is why: when a competition is published, EPSO typically gives 4-6 weeks for applications and then schedules tests within a few months. Candidates who start preparing now will have a significant head start.

You can get ahead by focusing on what is common across all competitions:

Reasoning skills — Verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning appear in every EPSO competition. Time invested in these skills applies to any competition you enter.

EU knowledge fundamentals — The institutions, treaties, decision-making procedures, and key policy areas are tested across multiple competition types. This knowledge is universal.

Language proficiency — All competitions require at least two EU languages. Strengthening your second language (or third) is always a productive investment.

Domain-specific knowledge — If you are targeting a specialist competition (law, audit, IT, data), start reviewing the relevant EU legislation and frameworks now. You will have a significant head start when the notice of competition is published.

Three smart moves to make this month

1. Register for CAST Permanent if you have not already. It costs nothing, takes 30 minutes, and puts you in the database immediately. Some institutions recruit from CAST every month.

2. Start reasoning practice. Whether you are targeting AD5, AST, or a specialist competition, reasoning tests are the common denominator. Building this skill now pays dividends no matter which competition you enter.

3. Monitor eu-careers.europa.eu regularly. EPSO updates its upcoming opportunities page when new competitions are confirmed. Setting a weekly check takes two minutes and ensures you never miss an application window.

This is a generation-defining moment for EU careers

The combination of a seven-year gap in AD5 recruitment, an expanding institutional mandate, and a wave of upcoming retirements means that 2026 offers more entry points into the EU institutions than any year in recent memory. Whether you are a recent graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone with specialist expertise, there is likely a competition that matches your profile.

Your next opportunity could open any day. Be ready. Join the EU-Now waitlist for competition tracking, adaptive preparation across all test types, and instant alerts when new EPSO competitions are published.