EPSO 2026 Competition Calendar: Key Dates & Deadlines
All confirmed and expected EPSO competitions for 2026 — AD5, AST, CAST, and specialist profiles. Never miss a deadline.
7 min read · 5 March 2026
Key Takeaways
- EPSO competitions have short application windows (3-4 weeks) with no extensions
- AD5 generalist competitions are typically announced in spring; CBT testing follows 2-4 months later
- CAST is rolling — you can apply anytime but may be called for testing with only 2 weeks notice
- Start preparing before your competition is announced; reasoning skills take 6-8 weeks to develop
- Check the EPSO website weekly and set calendar reminders immediately when competitions are published
Missing an EPSO deadline means waiting another year. Competitions are published with limited application windows — typically 3 to 4 weeks — and EPSO does not grant extensions. Here is what to expect in 2026.
How the EPSO Competition Cycle Works
EPSO publishes competition notices in the Official Journal of the EU. Each notice specifies the profile, eligibility requirements, application deadline, and expected test dates. The typical timeline from publication to CBT is 2 to 4 months.
Competitions fall into three main categories:
- AD (Administrator): University degree required. The flagship AD5 generalist competition is the most popular and competitive.
- AST (Assistant): Post-secondary diploma required. Covers administrative and technical support roles.
- CAST (Contract Agent): Ongoing selection for contract positions. Applications go into a database and candidates are called for testing on a rolling basis.
Expected 2026 Timeline
Q1 (January - March)
- CAST Permanent selections: open year-round, test invitations sent in waves
- Specialist competitions (legal, economic, IT) typically announced in late Q1
Q2 (April - June)
- AD5 Generalist competition: The 2026 competition attracted nearly 175,000 applicants for approximately 1,490 reserve list positions — the largest in years.
- AST-SC (Secretarial/Clerical) competitions often announced in this period.
Q3 (July - September)
- CBT testing window for spring competitions
- CAST testing waves continue
- Possible specialist AD competitions (linguists, economists)
Q4 (October - December)
- Assessment Centre invitations for candidates who passed the CBT
- Results for spring competitions published
- Possible late-year specialist competitions
Put theory into practice with unlimited EPSO practice tests.
Start Free Today →How Can You Track EPSO Deadlines?
- EPSO website: The official source. Check the "Apply now" section weekly.
- Official Journal (EUR-Lex): All competition notices are published here.
- EPSO social media: EPSO announces new competitions on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.
- Set calendar reminders: When a competition is announced, immediately set reminders for the application deadline and expected test date.
When Should You Start Preparing?
Do not wait for your target competition to be announced. The skills tested in the CBT — verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning — take 6 to 8 weeks of consistent practice to develop. Start now.
If you are targeting the AD5 generalist competition expected in spring 2026, you should already be practising. Candidates who start after the competition is published have half the preparation time of those who start proactively.
CAST: A Different Timeline
CAST works differently from AD and AST competitions. There is no single application deadline. Instead, candidates register in a database, and EPSO invites them for testing based on institutional needs. This means you can apply at any time — but you should be test-ready at all times, since invitations can come with as little as 2 weeks notice.
Key Takeaway
The single biggest strategic advantage in EPSO competitions is time. Start early, practise consistently, and never be caught off guard by a deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next EPSO AD5 competition?
EPSO typically announces AD5 generalist competitions in spring (April-May). Check the EU Careers website (eu-careers.europa.eu) for the latest announcements. The 2026 AD5 competition was announced in early 2026.
How often does EPSO run competitions?
EPSO runs multiple competitions per year across different profiles (AD, AST, specialist). The AD5 generalist competition is the largest but does not run every year — the gap between the 2019 and 2026 AD5 competitions was 7 years.
Can I apply to multiple EPSO competitions at the same time?
Yes. There is no penalty for entering multiple competitions, and CAST registration is ongoing. Many successful EU officials applied to several competitions before passing one.