FAQ Traineeship

1. Overview of the programme

What tasks will I be doing during the traineeship?

As a trainee at the Council of Europe, you will support a multi-cultural Organisation committed to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and have the chance to work alongside people from diverse backgrounds. Typical responsibilities during your traineeship can include:

Conducting research and analysis
Assisting in the preparation of draft reports for meetings of experts
Drafting meeting reports
Helping with committee and event organisation
Developing communication content (such as web articles or social media posts)
Observing and participating in meetings

Your day-to-day work will depend on your team and background. You will always have the opportunity to get actively involved and make a real contribution.

Most traineeships are based at our Strasbourg headquarters, but there are also a few opportunities in our offices in other states. To find the best fit for your skills and interests, we recommend exploring the different available traineeships before applying.

What is the difference between the Council of Europe and the European Union?

Although their names may sound like siblings, the Council of Europe and the European Union are actually different international institutions. Whilst there are historical links (e.g. the flag and the anthem originate from the Council of Europe!), the Council of Europe has 46 member states, including many that are not in the EU, and focuses on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. So, while both strive for a better, united Europe, the Council of Europe welcomes more than just EU nationals.

2. Eligibility

Who can apply?

You are eligible to apply, if you fulfil the following criteria:

You have the citizenship of a member state of the Council of Europe
You have a very good level of either French or English (unless the traineeship description indicates otherwise)
You are not a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent or grandparent to a current staff member of the Council of Europe
You are at least 18 years old by the closing date of the applications
You have completed at least three years of university studies and have been awarded a first cycle (Bachelor’s or equivalent) degree before the application deadline
You did not previously undertake a traineeship or study visit with the Council of Europe or have been employed by it in any capacity

If you have a doubt, you can take our eligibility test for reference.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. At the closing date of the applications, you must be at least 18 years of age.

If I have previously completed a traineeship or study visit at the Council of Europe, can I apply again?

No, to keep things fair among all our applicants, a traineeship at the Council of Europe remains a once in a lifetime experience.

I am not a national of a Council of Europe member state, can I still apply?

Only nationals of member states can access the official traineeship programme. We recommend checking with your university or educational institution to see if they have an agreement with the Council of Europe. If so, they may be able to nominate you as their candidate for a study visit.

Do I need to be able to speak English and French?

You need to have a very good knowledge of English or French. This being said, any other language is always useful in a multicultural environment!

Can current students apply?

Yes, you can apply provided you fulfil the requirements of the traineeship you apply to.

Are there any academic or language requirements?

Academic requirements:

at least three years in higher education and to have been awarded a Bachelor’s degree

Language requirement:

you need to have a very good knowledge of one of the two official languages of the Council of Europe (English or French)

3. Application process

When is the application deadline?

The deadline for applications is indicated in the General information section of the vacancy notice and is fixed at 23:59:59 (CET/CEST).

What documents do I need to submit?

You do not need to upload any certificates or similar documents as part of the application itself. However, these may be requested at a later stage during the selection process.

I have a disability – can I receive any assistance during the recruitment or traineeship?

If you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the selection process or traineeship due to a disability or special need, we encourage you to contact us. We are dedicated to providing support tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring that each candidate’s needs are considered on a case-by-case basis. Your experience with us matters, and we are committed to making the process as fair and comfortable as possible for everyone.

How do I apply?

When the traineeship session is open for applications, the vacancy notice is published on our Career Portal.

Before you start your application, make sure you carefully read the vacancy notice to confirm that you meet all the necessary requirements.

You can submit your application by uploading your CV directly from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Your application will be assessed solely based on the information provided in your online form, so there is no need to send any extra documents or information by email. These will not be added to your application.

If you have any difficulties during the application process, please check our application FAQ for help.

Please remember: hyperlinks in your application will not be opened for security reasons and their content will not be considered during the selection process.

And a final tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! We encourage you to submit your application well before the deadline to ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Can I apply for more than one position?

At the end of the application process, you will be asked to make a first and a second choice.

4. Selection process

Will there be an interview?

If the team you applied for considers that your application complies with the profile they are looking for, they may conduct an online interview with you. The link and invitation will be sent to you via e-mail by the corresponding team.

When and how will I be notified of the result?

Selected applicants will receive an official offer by e-mail; others will be informed of the outcome (placement on a reserve list or rejection). The process generally takes about two months, and notifications are usually sent two to three months before the traineeship begins.

How long does the selection process take?

The selection procedure can take approximately two months and notifications (selection, reserve list, rejection) are usually sent two to three months before the start date of the traineeship.

How does the selection process work?

After the application deadline, all applications are reviewed against the eligibility criteria and requirements. Selected candidates may be invited for an online interview by the corresponding team.

5. Organisation of the traineeship programme and working conditions

Will I receive a certificate or recommendation letter at the end of my traineeship?

Yes, upon successful completion of your traineeship, you will receive a certificate of attendance and, depending on your individual arrangements with your traineeship team, a letter of recommendation may also be provided.

Where does my traineeship take place?

Depending on which team you apply for, most of our traineeships take place in Strasbourg. There are however regular options in other duty stations, in particular Brussels and Geneva.

What is the duration of the traineeship?

The duration of the traineeship is indicated in the vacancy notice or in the traineeship description. As a rule, it ranges between a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 8 months.

What are the usual working hours and conditions?

The usual working hours for trainees are similar to those of staff, so 38 hours 45 min per week. Core hours in which presence is required are 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m. A lunchbreak of at least 30 minutes is mandatory.

Trainees are entitled to 2.5 days’ holiday per month, which can also be taken in accumulation (e.g. 6 months of traineeship equal 15 days of paid leave).

While we strongly recommend spending as much of your time in presence as possible at the Council of Europe, you may request up to 50% of telework, provided you remain within a 2-hour radius of your duty station and unless otherwise agreed with your mentor. Please note, that teleworking is not feasible for all traineeship positions, for example, if your work requires you to be present in a laboratory. All requests for remote working or leave must be submitted to and approved by your mentor in advance.

Should you unfortunately fall sick during your stay with us, please inform your mentor as soon as possible.

Local public holidays will be respected.

Is the programme full time or part time?

The Council of Europe Traineeship programme is a full-time traineeship with weekly working hours of 38 hours and 45 minutes.

Is the programme also possible to do fully remotely?

No, being present on site is an essential part of the traineeship experience, enabling you to immerse yourself fully in the work of the Council of Europe. In-person participation allows you to build meaningful connections, collaborate directly with colleagues, and gain a much deeper understanding of our work and values – something that is difficult to achieve from a distance or through occasional teleconferences and e-mails. For these reasons, we strongly encourage all trainees to be present at our offices during their traineeship.

6. Visa

Do I need a visa?

If your duty station is in the European Union and you hold a citizenship of an EU member state, you will not need a visa.

Should you be an EU national and your traineeship takes place in Geneva, you will need a residence permit, as your traineeship will exceed 90 days.

Should you be from a member state of the Council of Europe that is not part of the European Union, you will need to apply for a visa and, depending on the length of your stay.

For any questions or assistance regarding your visa application, you can contact us.

7. Remuneration, health insurance, and logistical assistance

Is there remuneration?

Yes, as of May 2026, the gross monthly remuneration is approximately 1,320 EUR.

Is there any financial assistance for travel expenses?

Visa costs for candidates from outside the EU will be covered. Unfortunately, no other travel expenses can be reimbursed.

Is there a dress code?

The dress code varies depending on the team and your specific duties. For example, if you need to attend hearings at the European Court of Human Rights, formal business attire is required. In most other cases, smart casual is generally accepted and widely worn. We recommend asking your team for specific advice once you have been selected.

Is health insurance obligatory, and how do I organise it?

Yes, health insurance is obligatory for all trainees. The Council of Europe provides health insurance coverage, and the contribution is automatically deducted from your monthly allowance. If you prefer to use your own health insurance that is valid for the entire duration of the traineeship and at your duty station, you may opt out of the Council's insurance. In that case, you must provide valid proof of coverage before the start of your traineeship.

Does the Council of Europe provide accommodation to its trainees?

No, unfortunately the Council of Europe is unable to provide accommodation for its trainees. Given the current housing shortage in all bigger European cities such as Brussels, Strasbourg and Geneva, we strongly recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as you have signed your traineeship contract. So far, every trainee has been able to find somewhere to stay, but allowing yourself some time to search may yield more satisfactory results.

9. Contact

Who can I contact for further questions?

For further questions please contact us via the contact form.

FAQ - Traineeships