Youth Opportunities Hub Internships, Learnerships, & Career Development
Traineeships at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union
If you’re a graduate looking to gain genuine, firsthand experience inside one of the European Union’s most influential institutions, the Consilium Traineeship Programme at the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union could be exactly the opportunity you’re searching for. This paid, structured traineeship gives young professionals from around the world direct exposure to EU policy making, right at the heart of Brussels.
About the General Secretariat of the Council
The General Secretariat of the Council, often referred to as Consilium, supports the Council of the European Union in its central role of shaping EU legislation and coordinating policy among member states. The name Consilium comes from the Latin word for counsel or deliberation, reflecting the Council’s core function in EU decision making. As a trainee, you’ll be placed directly within one of the Secretariat’s working teams, contributing to real institutional work and gaining a genuine understanding of how EU decisions are prepared, debated, and implemented.
Brussels itself is home to several major EU institutions, including the European Commission, making it a dynamic hub for anyone interested in international governance, diplomacy, and policy.
How the Traineeship Works
The Council offers 5-month paid traineeships twice a year, with around 110 positions available annually. Trainees are placed within one of two broad categories of teams:
- Policy teams or the legal service, covering areas such as economics and finance, environment and climate, foreign affairs, and justice and home affairs
- Support teams, covering areas such as communication and media relations, human resources, information technology, and translation
Beyond the general traineeship programme, the Council also offers specialised traineeship tracks for students enrolled in national administration schools from EU Member States or candidate countries, with these placements typically split into two periods lasting between two and five months.
What Trainees Receive
Consilium traineeships are fully paid and include a range of financial support designed to help trainees live and work comfortably in Brussels, generally including:
- A net monthly grant of over EUR 1,500
- Two days of leave per month
- A monthly allowance for use in the Council’s restaurants
- A travel allowance
This level of support makes the opportunity genuinely accessible to graduates from a wide range of financial backgrounds, not just those who can afford to relocate to Brussels unsupported.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for a Consilium traineeship, applicants generally need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a university degree at bachelor’s level or higher by the closing date of applications
- Have completed at least the first cycle of higher education
- Demonstrate proficiency in English or French at a C1 level, along with very good knowledge of at least one other official EU language
- Not have completed more than six weeks of previous paid or unpaid training or employment at an EU institution, body, agency, or office
While the majority of applications typically come from candidates with backgrounds in law, political science, international relations, EU studies, or economics, the Council also actively seeks trainees with qualifications in fields such as translation, human resources, communication, computer science, civil engineering, graphic design, and several other specialised areas, so candidates from a genuinely wide range of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Why This Traineeship Is Worth Pursuing
A Consilium traineeship offers far more than typical work experience. Benefits include:
- Direct exposure to how EU legislation and policy are shaped at the highest institutional level
- The chance to work in a genuinely multicultural, international environment
- Full financial support, removing much of the financial barrier to gaining this kind of experience
- A powerful credential for young professionals aiming to build long term careers in European or international affairs
- Strong networking opportunities within one of the most respected institutions in European governance
For graduates serious about a future in policy, law, or international relations, few opportunities offer this level of institutional access so early in a career.
How To Apply
Applications for the Consilium Traineeship Programme are submitted through the official Council of the European Union traineeships page. Since the programme runs on a fixed twice yearly cycle, it’s essential to confirm the current round’s exact deadline before applying.
When applying, make sure to:
- Confirm the current application deadline and traineeship start date, since these shift with each cycle
- Prepare proof of your university degree and language proficiency ahead of time
- Submit your online application well before the stated deadline, since late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances
- Review the official FAQ page before applying, since it addresses many of the most common questions about eligibility and the selection process
If you’re ready to gain real, paid experience at the heart of EU policy making, the Consilium Traineeship Programme is a genuinely valuable stepping stone toward a career in European or international affairs.
