Frequently asked questions

No, you are not allowed to receive an Erasmus+ traineeship grant while you are doing the Blue Book Traineeship.

If, at the beginning of your traineeship, you registered with a Commune and then deregister immediately after you finish your 5-month traineeship, you will receive a tax declaration form but – as a non-resident – you will not be required to pay any tax on your living allowance as your stay ...

It is your decision, however, be aware that the procedure to open a bank account may require prior registration with local authorities (compulsory in Brussels, for instance) or other supplementary administrative paperwork. This might result in delays of your first payment.

We advise you to keep ...

Look on the Trainees Committee website in the Housing section for a list of websites.

The Trainees' Committee also maintains an accommodation listing of its own, only accessible with the log-in details communicated by the Trainees' Committee.

Any claims should be submitted directly to Allianz Worldwide Care Company.

The claims process is as follows:

First, you will need to pay the bill yourself.

Then fill in the medical expenses claims form and do not forget to attach the original invoices and proof of payment of the bill (e.g., a ...

Most banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:30.

Usually, you will need an appointment in order to open a bank account. Please check with your chosen bank if this is the case.

Banks become especially busy at the beginning of the traineeship period – please keep this in mind when ...

In order to benefit from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that you obtained in your home country, you must first register with a 'Mutualité' (a medical insurance company).

The various Belgian 'Mutualités' or 'Mutuelles' are listed in the Yellow Pages.

You need to take your Health Card ...

Plan some expenses like a deposit (one to two months) for your accommodation.

Also be aware that prices might be higher than in your country.

The living allowance for the traineeship sessions is ca. €1,538.16 per month.

Yes, visa costs and related medical fees will be reimbursed together with travel expenditures.

No. If you decline the offer, your application is automatically excluded from the Blue Book for that session. You may apply again for the following session, but it is not guaranteed that you will be selected again.

No. The language courses are only available to staff.

However, trainees usually organise language courses among themselves with the help of the Trainees Committee.

Most Communes (town districts) and the ULB (Brussels Free University) also organise language courses which are either free of ...

Trainees can attend some training courses organised within their DGs/Services according to their practices.

Trainees cannot apply on their own for training courses organised by DG HR.

Personal health insurance coverage is compulsory for the entire duration of your traineeship. This can be provided by the Commission or by a third-party insurance company.

The monthly contribution per person required in order to benefit from the Commission’s medical insurance, provided by ...

Yes.Before you introduce a first claim, you have to register with a local 'mutualité' .

They will inform you about the specific reimbursement conditions.

No. There is no official dress code.

However, you are expected to dress appropriately.

No. There is no possibility of extending a traineeship within the traineeship programme.

The only exception is for members of the 'Liaison Committee'.

The Traineeships Office may allow:

- up to 4 trainees to stay on at the end of the October traineeship for 1 month, and

- up to 3 trainees to ...

Career opportunities at the Commission are presented on the EPSO website.

Details on the health insurance can be found on the Allianz Worldwide Care website.

Always make sure to contact Allianz in case you are taking any preventative medication to check whether this preventative care is refunded. Some preventative treatments may not be reimbursed even ...