Policy Officer - European Commission (AD5, Brussels)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Commission on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Position details

Reference

TAXUD/COM/2026/894

Directorate-General

TAXUD - Taxation and Customs Union

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

6 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Policy Officer at European Commission based in Brussels at the AD5 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is TAXUD/COM/2026/894. It is hosted by TAXUD - Taxation and Customs Union, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Taxation domain.

1

> TAXUD /COM/20 26 /894 Version: 16/04/2026

# MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener,

promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU ? Then come and

work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and

the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Different nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and

inclusive place to work .

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging jobs with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring

new skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we

care about your work -life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare , accident and

pension schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development are

strongly promoted

• Multilingual schools for your children

We recruit from a wide range of backgrounds and actively promote diversity and

inclusion:

We do not only recruit political scientists and lawyers but are also looking for all kinds of

profiles, including scientists, linguists , IT experts, data analysts and economists, as well as drivers

and engineers.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to foster ing a rich, diverse and inclusive working

environment. We aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly

welcome applications from all qualified candidates . We actively seek to create a workplace where

each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full

potential. 2

TAXUD /COM/20 26 /894 Version: 16/04/2026

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates , we strongly

encourage applicants from Member States which are currently underrepresented in the European

Commission workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, the Czech

Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg,

Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden 1. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the

merits of all applicants and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member

State.

For more information ec.europa.eu/work -with -us

STAFF RECRUITED ON CONTRACTS

In addition to permanent officials, the European Commission offers non -permanent positions .

There are two categories of non -permanent staff:

> •

temporary agents are recruited to fill vacant positions for a set amount of ti me or

to perform highly specialised tasks .

> •

contract agents may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an

insufficient number of officials is available or carry out a number of administrative or

manual tasks. They are generally recruited for fixed -term contracts (maximum 6 years in

any EU Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite

duration (in offices, agencies, delegations or representations).

For more information on different staff categories

> 1Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential > data changes over time.

3

TAXUD /COM/20 26 /894 Version: 16/04/2026

# Policy Officer

# Directorate - General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD)

# of the European Commission

Selection reference: TAXUD/COM/2026/894

Domain*: Taxation

Where : Directorate for Indirect Taxation and Tax Administration (TAXUD.C), Brussels

Staff category and Function Group : Temporary agent 2b – Administrator

Grade range: AD5 -AD7

Publication deadline : 12.08.2026 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

The Directorate General Customs and Taxation (DG TAXUD) mission is to promote fair and

sustainable policies that generate revenue for the EU and its Member States and ensure that EU

citizens and businesses benefit from global trade and a safe and secure Single Market protected at

its borders.

The Directorate for Indirect Taxation and Tax Administration (TAXUD.C) is a friendly and dynamic

directorate. Within DG TAX -UD, Directorate C is developing an overall policy in the area of indirect

taxation, including financial sector taxation as well as environmental, transport and energy taxation,

VAT, excise duties and tax administration.

It is also responsible for developing and implementing the Carbon border adjustment mechanism

and tax initiatives included in the European Green Deal. The Directorate includes 85 staff with a

good mix of officials, temporary and contract agents and national experts.

Within DG TAXUD, Directorate C is developing an overall policy in the area of indirect taxation,

including financial sector taxation as well as environmental, transport and energy taxation, VAT,

excise duties and tax administration. It is also responsible for developing and implementing the

Carbon border adjustment mechanism and tax initiatives included in the European Green Deal. The

Directorate includes 85 staff with a good mix of officials, temporary and contract agents and

national experts.

WE PROPOSE

The job consists of contributing to the development, coordination and implementation of EU tax

policy, with a particular focus on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, environmental

taxation, excise duties and other areas of indirect taxation. 4

TAXUD /COM/20 26 /894 Version: 16/04/2026

The job involves providing technical, legal and economic analysis, preparing policy papers, briefings,

speeches and other working documents, and contributing to legislative proposals, implementing

measures, impact assessments and evaluations. The jobholder will be expected to contribute

directly to the drafting, coordination and follow -up of CBAM -related legislative and policy files,

including the preparation of documents for internal decision -making and interinstitutional

discussions.

The jobholder will also contribute to interservice consultations, follow discussions in the Council, the

European Parliament and other institutional fora, represent the Commission in meetings with

Member States and stakeholders, and support the follow -up of legislative proposals throughout the

interinstitutional decision -making process. The job requires close coordination across the

Directorate, with other Directorates -General and with external stakeholders, as well as direct

involvement in the preparation and follow -up of high -level meetings and sensitive policy

discussions.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic and highly dependable colleague with substantial experience in EU

tax policy, in particular in the field of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The ideal

candidate should have proven experience in drafting CBAM -related legislative, implementing and

policy documents, and in preparing high -quality briefings, speeches and notes for senior

management. Experience in coordinating sensitive files with Directors and in preparing and

supporting high -level meetings is essential.

The candidate should also have a strong understanding of EU decision -making procedures,

including interservice consultations and interinstitutional negotiations, and demonstrated

experience in coordinating input from multiple actors under tight deadlines. Strong analytical,

drafting and coordination skills, sound judgment, discretion, autonomy and the ability to work

effectively in a politically sensitive environment are required. A very good command of English is

required.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:

1. your CV 2. completed application form.

Please send these documents by the publication deadline to TAXUD [email protected] indicating the

selection reference TAXUD/COM/2026/894 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 5

TAXUD /COM/20 26 /894 Version: 16/04/2026

# ANNEX

# 1. Selection

➢ Am I eligible to apply?

You must meet the following eligibility criteria when you validate your application :

Our rules provide that you can only be recruited as a temporary agent at the European Commission if you:

General criteria:

• Are a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen

• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service

• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post

• Produce the appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties.

Qualifications:

FOR AD jobs: In order to be recruited for this position, you must have at least a level of education

which corresponds to completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma.

Only qualifications issued or recognised as equivalent by EU Member State authorities (e.g. by the

Ministry of Education) will be accepted. Furthermore, before recruitment, you will be required to

provide the documents that corroborate the eligibility criteria (diplomas, certificates and other

supporting documents).

Languages:

> •

have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1) of one of the 24 official languages of the

EU 2

• AND a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of a second official language of the EU,

to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

➢ What about the selection steps?

The post was published internally within the Commission, inter -inst

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD5 runs from €6,153 (step 1) to €6,961 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €73,836 to €83,532 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €984 per month at step 1 of AD5) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Brussels. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 30 July 2026, 7 days ago.

The application deadline is 12 August 2026, 5 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 6 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD5 see our AD5 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at European Commission see the European Commission institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Brussels see our Brussels location page; for related vacancies in the Taxation field browse our Taxation domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.