Europass is a free service from the European Union It helps people show their education, work, skills and languages in one clear format that employers, universities and scholarship committees across Europe understand. A Europass CV is the CV you build with this service.
It is popular for these reasons:
- It is free.
- The layout is clean and easy to read.
- People in many countries know the format.
- You can save it online and update it any time.
- You can download it in many languages.
Many scholarships and jobs in Europe accept a Europass CV, but some ask for their own format Always read the application instructions first.
Where to Create It
Go to the official website: europass.europa.eu. Only use this official site. Some other websites copy the Europass name and charge money. The real Europass service is free.
Before You Start: Collect Your Information
Gather these details first so the work goes faster:
- Your full name, phone number, email and address (city and country are enough)
- Your education: school or university names, degree titles, start and end dates
- Your work history: job titles, employer names, dates, and main tasks
- Your skills: computer skills, laboratory skills, communication, and others
- Your language levels
- Certificates, courses, volunteer work, awards, publications and projects
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open the Europass website and sign in
Click “Create profile” or “Sign in”. You can make an account with your email, or use another supported login option. An account lets you save your work and return later.
Step 2: Choose how to start
You usually have two choices:
- Create a Europass profile. You fill in your details once, and Europass can turn them into a CV.
- Upload an old CV. If you already have a CV, Europass can read it and fill in parts of your profile for you. Always check the result carefully, because automatic reading can make mistakes.
For most people, building a profile is the better choice because you can reuse it for many different applications.
Step 3: Add your personal information
Write your name, email, phone number, city and country. Use a professional email address, such as name.surname@gmail.com. Avoid nicknames or funny emails.
A photo is optional. In many European countries a photo is common, but some employers and scholarship programs prefer no photo. If you add one, use a clear, simple, professional picture.
Step 4: Write a short personal summary
This is two to four lines about who you are and what you want Keep it simple and honest.
Example for a scholarship:
“Motivated Bachelor’s graduate in Environmental Science with research experience in water quality. Looking for a Master’s scholarship to study sustainable resource management.”
Example for a job:
“Accountant with three years of experience in budgeting and reporting Strong in Excel and team communication. Seeking an accounting position in Europe.”
Step 5: Add your work experience
List your jobs starting with the most recent one. For each job, write:
- Job title
- Employer name and city
- Start and end dates
- Main tasks and achievements
Use short action words like “managed”, “organized”, “trained”, “designed” and “improved”. Numbers make your work stronger.
Example:
“Organized 10 community health workshops and trained more than 300 participants.”
Internships, volunteer work and part-time jobs count too, especially if you are a student or fresh graduate.
Step 6: Add your education and training
Also list this from newest to oldest. Include:
- Name of your degree or course
- University or school name
- Dates
- Main subjects, thesis or research topic
- Grades, if they are strong
Add short courses and online certificates as well. Scholarship committees like to see that you keep learning.
Step 7: Add your language skills
Europass uses a standard system called the CEFR. It has six levels:
- A1 and A2: Beginner
- B1 and B2: Middle level (can work and study in the language)
- C1 and C2: Advanced to near-native
Mark your mother tongue first Then rate your other languages for listening, reading, speaking and writing. Be honest. If you name an official test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, DELF or Goethe, add your score and year.
Step 8: Add your skills
Include skills that fit the opportunity, such as:
- Digital skills (Microsoft Office, Python, data analysis, design tools)
- Research and lab skills
- Communication and teamwork
- Leadership and organization
- Driving licence, if useful
Choose the skills that match the scholarship or job. A very long list of weak skills does not help.
Step 9: Add extra sections
Europass lets you add other sections. These are very useful for scholarships and fellowships:
- Publications and research papers
- Projects
- Conferences and presentations
- Awards and honours
- Volunteer work
- Memberships in organizations
- References (or write “Available on request”)
Step 10: Choose a template and preview
Europass offers a few clean templates. Pick one that looks simple and easy to read. Then preview your CV and check it carefully.
Step 11: Download and save
Download your CV as a PDF. PDF keeps the layout the same on every computer. Some applications may also ask for a Word file, so download that too if needed. Name the file clearly, for example: Zaryab_CV.pdf.
How to Adjust Your CV for Each Type of Application
For scholarships
Scholarship committees want to see that you are a strong and serious student. Put education first, and highlight:
- Good grades and academic awards
- Research, thesis and publications
- Leadership and volunteering
- Language skills
- Community work
Programs like Erasmus Mundus and national scholarships often value both academic strength and social impact.
For fellowships
Fellowships, including research fellowships such as those in Marie Skłodowska-Curie programs, care most about your research record. Highlight:
- Research experience and projects
- Publications, posters and conference talks
- Grants and awards
- Technical and lab skills
- Teaching or mentoring
Many research CVs are longer than two pages, so follow the fellowship’s own rules.
For jobs
Employers want to know what you can do for them. Put work experience first, and:
- Match your skills to the job advertisement
- Use keywords from the job description
- Show results and numbers
- Keep the CV to one or two pages
Helpful Tips
- Keep it short. One to two pages is best for most applications.
- Be honest. Do not invent jobs, grades or skills. Committees and employers can check.
- Use simple words. Clear writing is better than fancy writing.
- Check spelling and grammar. Ask a friend or teacher to read it.
- Use consistent dates. Write them the same way everywhere, such as 09/2021 – 06/2024.
- Explain gaps. If you had a break in study or work, you can briefly say why, for example family reasons, health, or learning a new skill.
- Update often. Add new courses, jobs and achievements as they happen.
- Save several versions. Make one version for scholarships, one for research and one for jobs.
- Write in the right language. Use English unless the application asks for another language. Europass can translate the section headings into many European languages, but you must translate your own text.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using an unofficial website that asks for payment
- Writing long paragraphs instead of short points
- Adding old or unrelated details, like a school project from ten years ago
- Sending the same CV to every opportunity without changes
- Using an unprofessional email address or photo
- Forgetting to check that phone number and email are correct
- Exaggerating language levels
Quick Checklist Before You Send
- Contact details are correct
- Summary is short and clear
- Education and work are in the right order
- Language levels are honest
- Skills match the opportunity
- No spelling mistakes
- File is saved as PDF with a clear name
- CV follows the rules of the scholarship, fellowship or employer
Final Words
A Europass CV is a simple, free and trusted way to present yourself to opportunities across Europe. Take your time, write clearly and honestly, and change your CV to match each application. A well-prepared CV can be the first step toward your scholarship, fellowship or dream job in Europe.
Note: Europass updates its website from time to time, so button names and menus may look a little different. Always check europass.europa.eu for the newest version.
