Practical information
Please log into your ECAS account (where you accepted your traineeship offer) for information concerning:
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Accommodation
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Visas
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working hours and holidays
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claiming the trainees' travel expense
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buildings
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setting up a bank account
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pay, insurance and more
The Trainees' Guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on the Traineeship website are also invaluable sources of information for trainees.
Health Insurance
For information concerning the insurance provided to trainees by the European institutions, see the Allianz website.
If you cannot find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to email the Trainees' Committee at: However, please be aware that we may need a few days to get back to you!
Social events
The City of Brussels website contains useful information about social events in Brussels, including in its Agenda.
Transportation
For discounts on rail travel in Belgium, visit the SNCB website, and for savings on transport within Brussels region, see the Stib site. You can hire bikes in Brussels through Villo! vélo.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation can seem daunting. However, the following websites are extremely useful when starting the search for an apartment:
Other source of information
The Expat Welcom Desk service provides a lot of useful information on issues relevant to trainees, such as housing, residence and social security.
The Trainees' card
The Trainees' card (T-card) funds the budget of the Trainees' Committee and the Subcommittees. It also gives trainees access to a range of benefits with the partners of the Trainees' Committee and discounts on activities organised by the Trainees' Committee, such as the Welcome Party and the Inter-Institutional Euroball.
To run for a position on the Trainees' Committee or to put yourself forward as a Coordinator of a Subcommittee, you must have a T-card. To purchase a T-card, please bring €15 and a passport-sized photo to our office (Rue Joseph II 70, 04/161) during our office hours (Monday: 17.30 - 19.30, Wednesday and Thursday: 12.30 - 13.30).
Elections and voting
At the beginning of each traineeship session, trainees have the opportunity to elect the Trainees' Committee and its auditors. Information regarding the positions will be shared on the run-up to the elections.
The available roles are:
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President
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Treasurer
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Communications Coordinator
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Social Events Coordinator
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Careers and Conferences Coordinator
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Networking Coordinator
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Three Auditors
To run for election, candidates must be a Brussels-based trainee (Luxembourg trainees have their own Trainees' Committee) and a T-card holder. Candidates can stand for a maximum of two positions. Trainees nominate themselves for election, have the opportunity to campaign and then present themselves on election night. Nominations and votes are submitted online.
In case there are no candidates for a position, another candidate who received a high number of votes, but was not elected may be proposed. For reasons of transparency, you cannot be both a Coordinator of a Subcommittee and a member of the Trainees' Committee. Please check with your supervisor before standing for the Trainees' Committee, as it can be highly time-consuming!