The European Court of Auditors (ECA) Traineeship Programme is one of the most respected entry pathways into the European Union institutions. Based in Luxembourg, the programme gives students and graduates hands-on experience in EU auditing, administration, communications, translation, IT, artificial intelligence, legal work, and other key fields.
This guide provides a full breakdown of the traineeship options, eligibility requirements, deadlines, application procedures, and benefits—fully optimized for SEO and suitable for publication on a professional website.
The traineeship allows young professionals to gain first-hand experience working inside the EU public administration. Trainees support ongoing projects, learn directly from experts, and contribute to missions that improve the effectiveness, transparency, and impact of EU policies and spending.
Trainees work alongside experienced teams and are assigned a supervisor to support their integration, tasks, and professional development.
Work on meaningful projects that contribute to better EU governance.
Develop professional skills in a multicultural environment.
Collaborate with experts across various fields.
Build long-lasting networks with fellow trainees.
Participate in seminars, conferences, and training sessions.
Audit trainees may have opportunities for field missions in EU Member States.
The programme begins with all trainees starting on the same day, creating a strong sense of community and a valuable professional network.
The European Court of Auditors offers several traineeship pathways. Each has unique eligibility criteria and application processes.
This is the main traineeship open to university students and graduates who wish to work in one of the following areas:
Audit
Communications
Translation
Legal Services
IT
Institutional Relations
Library and Archiving
Administration
Broadcasting
Artificial Intelligence (see separate section below)
Two sessions are available each year:
1 April – 30 September
1 October – 31 March
This specialised programme is designed for candidates with strong technical backgrounds.
Applicants must:
Be a national of an EU Member State
Have completed at least three years of university studies or be undertaking doctoral studies in AI, computer science, data science, IT, or related areas
Have very good knowledge of one EU language and satisfactory knowledge of another
Have C1-level English in speaking, writing, and comprehension
Not have previously worked or been a trainee in any EU institution
Europass CV
Motivational cover letter
Recommendation letter
Applications must be emailed to: ECA-AI-Traineeship@eca.europa.eu
Deadline: 12 December 2025 (midnight, Luxembourg time)
The ECA provides inclusive traineeship opportunities for EU nationals with recognised disabilities. Two positions are offered each year.
Where necessary, the ECA may adapt:
Equipment
Work arrangements
Workspaces
These adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis to ensure equal participation.
This programme is tailored for auditors from candidate countries’ Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). It offers practical exposure to EU audit processes and supports institutional capacity building for EU accession.
Applications must be submitted through the relevant national SAI department.
Below are the upcoming deadlines for the standard and disability traineeship programmes:
| Session | Applications Open | Deadline (Luxembourg Time) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | October 1, 2025 | November 30, 2025 | Open |
Applicants may apply to multiple traineeship programmes within the same session.
Candidates must complete the official online application form linked to each open session. Applications submitted by email are not accepted for these programmes.
Submit required documents by email to: ECA-AI-Traineeship@eca.europa.eu
Apply through your Supreme Audit Institution.
Monthly traineeship allowance
Professional experience inside an EU institution
Career development and skills enhancement
Access to training courses and seminars
Collaboration with experts across disciplines
Networking with a diverse group of trainees
Opportunity for audit field missions (audit trainees only)
Michiel
“My opinion and abilities were taken seriously from the very first day.”
Maciej
“The experience and knowledge I gained at the Court have greatly strengthened my career prospects.”
Ebba
“Every day was different, and the hands-on exposure helped me understand many aspects of the Court.”
Jennifer
“The ECA provides an excellent environment for learning, with opportunities to attend seminars, conferences, and training.”
Should you require any further information about the traineeship or have a technical problem during your application, please contact our traineeship team.
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