When most people think about getting a job in the EU institutions, the first thing that comes to mind is EPSO- and rightly so. EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office) runs the most well-known competitions for permanent roles within institutions like the European Commission, Parliament, and Council.

But what if we told you there’s a much broader job market in the EU ecosystem? Whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, there are many pathways to a career in the European Union-and not all of them require an EPSO competition.

Let’s break down where and how to look, and how you can prepare smartly with EUknowledge.

1. Think Beyond Brussels – The EU is Everywhere

While Brussels is the hub, EU institutions and agencies are spread across Europe. Think about roles in:

• Luxembourg – A key location for the Court of Justice, EIB, and EU Publications Office
• Strasbourg – Where part of the European Parliament is based
• Frankfurt – Home of the European Central Bank
• The Hague – With agencies like Eurojust and Europol
• Smaller cities across Europe – Host dozens of decentralized agencies focused on specialized fields like medicines (EMA), food safety (EFSA), education (ETF), cybersecurity (ENISA), and more

Each of these institutions has its own hiring needs-many of which are outside of EPSO competitions.

2. Where Else to Find EU Job Listings

Here are some of the most valuable job portals and sources of opportunity:

• EU Agencies’ Career Pages
  Many agencies publish open positions directly on their websites. They often hire contract agents, temporary staff, or seconded national experts, especially for specialized fields like law, health, tech, and education.
• Delegations and Missions
  The European External Action Service (EEAS) regularly hires local agents and experts for EU delegations around the world.
• EuroBrussels.com
  A popular platform for EU-affiliated jobs, often listing NGO, consultancy, and think-tank roles in European policy and law.
• LinkedIn & EURACTIV Jobs
  Keep an eye out for consultancy contracts, research roles, and NGO positions in the EU public affairs space.
• Temporary Agents / Contract Agents (CAST)
  Not every CAST position is advertised through EPSO competitions. Some roles are open continuously, and you can apply through CAST Permanent listings or direct expressions of interest.

3. What Types of Roles Are Common?

Some job categories you’ll frequently see include:

• Policy Officers & Legal Experts
• Project Managers and Grant Coordinators
• Communications & Media Specialists
• Finance and Procurement Officers
• HR and Talent Acquisition Roles
• Cybersecurity & Digital Transformation Experts

Many of these require strong EU knowledge, understanding of EU programs, or even previous experience with institutions.

4. Why EU Knowledge Still Matters (Even Outside EPSO)

Even if you’re not applying through EPSO, you’ll still face selection processes that require understanding the EU institutions.

For example:

• You may need to write a motivation letter that proves your understanding of EU policy.
• You could be interviewed by a hiring panel and asked about EU programs or current legislative priorities.
• Contract roles may test your project cycle management, legal analysis, or budgeting in the EU context.

That’s where EUknowledge comes in.

We offer:

✅ 600+ EU knowledge questions based on real EPSO-style tests

✅ Blog posts and resources to help you stay up to date on EU policies

✅ Tips and test examples to boost your confidence for interviews and written exercises

Even if you’re not aiming for an EPSO exam today, this knowledge gives you a competitive edge.

5. How to Prepare Efficiently

If you’re preparing for both EPSO competitions and other EU job applications:

• Start with EUknowledge’s quiz-style tests to refresh and deepen your institutional knowledge.
• Use our free registration to try out questions and identify your weak spots.
• Follow our blog and email tips to stay on track with job market updates, exam prep, and interview strategies.

And when you’re ready to go deeper, you can purchase one of our EUknowledge packs that match your level-whether it’s 100, 300, or 600 questions.

Final Words

EPSO is not the only gateway to a career in the EU. Opportunities exist across a wide range of institutions and agencies-and being well-prepared with solid EU knowledge and reasoning skills gives you an advantage.

If you’re looking to confidently apply for these roles, start training with purpose.

👉 Visit EUknowledge.eu today to explore our free test questions and EU knowledge resources-and move one step closer to your EU career.