Grade and step are the two coordinates that locate an EU staff member on the salary grid. The grade reflects the level of the post, such as AD 5 or AST 3, while the step marks seniority within that grade, and together they determine the basic salary.
Every grade in the EU pay scale is divided into steps, up to five to seven depending on the grade, with some senior grades having fewer. When you are first appointed you normally start at step 1 of the grade fixed in the notice of competition, for example AD 5 step 1, whose basic salary in 2026 is around EUR 6,152.64 gross per month before allowances and the correction coefficient. Advancement then works in two distinct ways. Step advancement is largely automatic: under Article 44 of the Staff Regulations you move up one step roughly every two years simply by continuing to serve satisfactorily, which gives a steady pay increase within the same grade. Promotion is different and moves you to a higher grade under Article 45: it is merit-based, decided by the appointing authority after comparing staff reports across the institution, and only a set quota of officials is promoted each year. In short, steps reward time served and promotion rewards demonstrated merit. Reading a vacancy or reserve list, the grade tells you the level and pay band of the role, while the step you are offered on entry reflects any relevant experience recognised at recruitment.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a grade and a step?
- The grade reflects the level of the post, such as AD 5, and its pay band, while the step marks seniority within that grade. Steps advance roughly every two years for time served, whereas moving to a higher grade requires a merit-based promotion.
- How does step advancement work?
- Under Article 44 of the Staff Regulations, staff move up one step roughly every two years by continuing to serve satisfactorily, giving an automatic pay rise within the same grade. Promotion to a higher grade, under Article 45, is merit-based and capped by an annual quota.
- What is the starting salary at AD 5 step 1?
- AD 5 step 1 is the entry grade for graduate administrators, with a basic salary of around EUR 6,152.64 gross per month in 2026, before the expatriation allowance, household allowance and country correction coefficient are applied.