Most people join the EU institutions at the so-called ‘entry grades’. Two of the most common grades are Contract Agents in functional FG IV vs Administrators in the grade AD 5.
This article will compare the salary as well as the full benefits package for both grades – AD5 and FGIV – so that you can decide for which type of contract you should aim, and whether to even consider a Contract Agent position while you compete for vacancies of Administrators.
TL;DR
If you are an experienced professional with 17 or more years of work experience, as a Contract Agent FGIV in grade 16 financially you’ll be equal to a person in grade AD5, probably, with less work-related stress.
However, you’ll have less job security if you’re employed by the European Commission, as Contract Agents can stay in one position for only 6 years total; consider working for EU agencies as most agencies offer indefinite contracts to Contract Agents.
Salary comparison
Contract agents
Depending on the length of your work experience, as a Contract Agent in function group IV you can be placed in three grades, each with its own starting salary:
| Grade and step | Minimum work experience in years | Basic salary |
|---|---|---|
| FGIV grade 16 | 17+ | 5,768.89 |
| FGIV grade 14 | 5-16 | 4,506.36 |
| FGIV grade 13 | 0-4 | 3,982.82 |
Source: Article 93 of Staff Regulations
If you are a Contract Agent in grade 14, your salary is similar to Assistants in grade AST3 step 2.
If you are a Contract Agent in grade 13, your salary is similar to Assistants in grade AST2 step 2.
Administrators
As an Administrator in grade AD 5, you are usually placed in step 1. Some institutions place Administrators in step 2 based on the length of their work experience. Everyone with work experience under 5 years is placed in step one while succesful candidates with 5+ years of work experience are placed in step 2.
| Grade and step | Minimum work experience in years | Basic salary |
|---|---|---|
| AD5 step 1 | 0-4 | 5,507.55 |
| AD5 step 2 | Usually 5+ | 5,738.98 |
Source: Article 93 of Staff Regulations
Allowances
Unless you are competing for positions at the very level in EU institutions, the benefits and allowances package is more or less the same for all positions. This means that Contract Agents and Administrators will receive roughly the same additional sums on top of their basic salary.
The below table provides an overview of entitlements for Contract Agents and Administrators.
| Allowance / benefit | Contract Agents | Administrators |
|---|---|---|
| Household allowance | X | X |
| Dependent child allowance | X | X |
| EU health insurance (JSIS) coverage | X | X |
| Entitlement to EU pension | 10+ years of service | 10+ years of service |
| Installation allowance & removal expenses compensation | X | X |
| Expatriation or Foreign Residence allowance | X | X |
| Daily subsistence allowance when starting employment | X | X |
| Travel cost compensation (on taking up duties and once annually) | X | X |
| Education allowance / access to EU school for children | X | X |
| Birth grant | X | X |
| Unemployment allowance | X | X |
| Disability insurance / allowance | ||
| Coverage of funeral expenses | X | X |
European Commission salary grid
Read the linked article, if you are interested in the complete EU institutions salary grid for all grades of Administrators, Assistants, Secretaries and Clerks, as well as Contract Agents.
