The European CV format

What the European CV is

In 2002 the European Commission recommended a common format for CVs. Since 2004 that template has been part of Europass, the EU’s set of tools for making skills and qualifications understandable across Europe. Europass moved to a new platform in 2020 (the official site is europass.europa.eu), but to many people the «European format» still means the classic two-column template: labels on the left, content on the right.

It is not compulsory: you need it when a job advert or a call for applications asks for it explicitly.

When to use it

• Public sector jobs and competitions: many calls explicitly ask for a «CV in European format», especially in Italy.
• Schools, universities and healthcare: teaching posts, research positions and grants often require it.
• Applications in other EU countries and EU-funded projects: it is a format everybody recognises.

For a private company, a modern, concise CV usually works better: the European format tends to be long and to bury your results among many labels. If the advert says nothing, choose the format that presents you best.

The sections and how to fill them in

Personal information

Name, phone, email, city and, if you use it, your LinkedIn profile. The photo is optional. Date of birth and nationality appear in many old examples, but they are not required: add them only if the call asks for them.

Work experience

From the most recent to the oldest. For each role: the dates, the employer, the position and the main activities. Concrete facts matter here too: «led a team of 6» or «managed a €50,000 budget» says more than a list of duties.

Education and training

Your qualifications with the institution, the year and, if it helps, the grade. Then relevant courses and certifications. If you like, you can add the level of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF): for example 6 for a bachelor’s degree and 7 for a master’s.

Personal skills

Your mother tongue, other languages (see below), digital skills, organisational and communication skills, and a driving licence if the job needs one. Concrete examples beat lists of adjectives: «I organise shifts and travel for an office of 15 people» says more than «excellent organisational skills».

Additional information

Publications, projects, volunteering, memberships, awards. In Italy CVs usually end with a line authorising the processing of personal data: it is not legally required, but many calls expect it.

How to state your language level

The European format uses the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

A1 and A2	Basic user: you understand and use simple sentences about everyday topics.
B1 and B2	Independent user: at B2 you can hold a work conversation and understand technical texts in your field.
C1 and C2	Proficient user: you use the language fluently and precisely, even in complex situations.

The classic template asks for a separate level for listening, reading, spoken interaction, spoken production and writing; many people now give a single overall level. If you hold a certificate (such as IELTS, Cambridge, DELF or Goethe), write it next to the level: it carries more weight than a self-assessment.

The European format with CV Espresso

With the European template you write your CV as usual and get it laid out in the classic structure, labels on the left and content on the right, in English or Italian. You can download it as a PDF or a Word file and, if you later need a more modern CV, just switch template: your details stay the same. If you already have a European CV in Word or PDF, import it and the fields fill themselves in.

Need a CV for private employers too? Read how to write a CV.