# AD 16

- Link: https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-16/
- Published: 2024-02-24T17:46:14+01:00
- Author: Ben

[Administrators](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/#Administrators) at the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/)
and other EU institutions are placed in grades starting with [AD 5](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/ad-5/)
and ending with AD 16 reserved for Directors General.

AD 16 is the highest professional [grade](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/)
within the Administrator (AD) [function group](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/function-group/)
of the European Union’s civil service. Only political appointees such as the [EU Commissioners](https://euemployment.eu/category/salaries-of-eu-commissioners/)
or the [President of the European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/von-der-leyen-salary/)
have a higher hierarchical position in the EU institutions.

AD 16 is typically reserved for Directors-General, who lead Directorate-Generals
or major departments within the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/),
the [European Parliament](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-parliament/),
the [Council of the European Union](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/council-of-the-european-union/),
or other EU bodies.

AD 16 staff are at the top of the career ladder for [administrators](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/administrators/),
reporting directly to the highest political officials, such as [Commissioners](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/commissioner/)
in the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/),
the President of the [European Parliament](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-parliament/),
or the President of the [European Council](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-council/).