If you’re a student or graduate looking to kickstart a career in finance and regulation, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in Paris has a golden opportunity for you. ESMA, an independent EU authority dedicated to safeguarding financial stability within the European Union, offers paid traineeships spanning 6 to 12 months in various departments for 2026.
This is a chance to contribute directly to promoting stable and orderly financial markets across the EU while gaining invaluable experience in a dynamic regulatory environment.
Departments Offering Traineeships
Trainees are welcomed in several departments across the organization, including the Corporate Affairs Department (Risk & Control, Communications), the Senior Management Team (Accounting), and the Resources Department (HR, Finance & Procurement, Facility Management, ICT, and Planning & Reporting).
Below is the list of current openings and traineeship opportunities:
| Position | Contract Type | Organisational Departments | Reference | Deadline for Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traineeship Notice: Support Functions Profile | Trainee | Resources | ESMA/2025/VAC04/TRP | 30/11/2025 |
| Traineeship Notice – Data, Economics and IT Profile | Trainee | – | ESMA/2025/VAC05/TRP | 30/11/2025 |
| Traineeship Notice – Governance, Legal, Supervision and Policy Profile | Trainee | – | ESMA/2025/VAC06/TRP | 30/11/2025 |
| Legal Officer | Contract Agents (CA) | Legal and Enforcement | ESMA/2025/EPSO/VAC09/FGIV | 04/11/2025 |
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Be a national of an EU Member State or the European Economic Area (EEA).
- Have a good command of English.
- For Graduates: Must hold a university degree (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree).
- For Undergraduates: Must provide an official declaration from their university confirming their current status.
Application Process:
- All ESMA traineeship vacancies are posted on their e-recruitment website here https://esmacareers.adequasys.com/?f%25255B0%25255D=im_field_document_type%3A57.
- Candidates should submit applications through this e-recruitment tool.
- Note that applications are reviewed regularly, and selection is based on availability in ESMA’s budget.
Application Deadline: All applications for the 2026 ESMA traineeships must be submitted by 30 November 2025.