Reasonable accommodations for testing

• Candidates with disabilities (permanent or temporary)
• Candidates with medical conditions requiring special arrangements
• Pregnant candidates and candidates who have recently given birth
  
   

Timeline requirement:

Notify EPSO at the application stage. If anything occurs after the application deadline, please contact the EPSO accessibility team .

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Delays in communicating your needs may compromise EPSO's ability to provide accommodations under the best possible conditions.

How are requests assessed?

Each request is assessed individually by the EPSO Accessibility Team based on:

• Your functional limitations
• The type of test and testing method
• Actions required during the test
• Supporting documentation provided

All personal and medical data are handled confidentially in accordance with EU data protection rules.

To request reasonable accommodations (adjustments), please follow the following steps: 
 

STEP 1: APPLICATION PHASE 

In the application form, answer "Yes" in the section entitled ‘REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION (ADJUSTMENTS) REQUIREMENTS’  and validate your application within the published deadline. 
 

STEP 2: INFORMATION PHASE 

Complete the information form regarding your specific adjustments (the link is in your application form) within the deadline of the application phase or maximum 24 hours after.
Please make sure to attach all relevant supporting documents which must include a description of the nature of your condition: disability or medical certificates, special reports. 
Keep in mind EPSO’s ‘No certificates no adjustments’ policy and remember to complete this phase within the published deadline.
 

STEP 3: EPSO ANALYSIS PHASE 

The EPSO accessibility team will analyse your request and evaluate which reasonable accommodations may be granted, if any. All personal and medical data are handled confidentially in accordance with EU data protection rules.
Reasonable accommodations are defined and approved based on your documented needs, the type of test and best international practices and expertise in this field. 
If a reasonable accommodation is granted, you will be informed of the details in due course before your test date. If you are not satisfied with the EPSO decision concerning your request, please contact us. 
 

STEP 4: TEST PHASE 

You will be invited to sit the EPSO selection tests, using your specific requirements and accommodations granted, in the best possible conditions allowing you to fully demonstrate your competencies and to compete on an equal basis with other candidates. 
 

STEP 5: FEEDBACK PHASE 

Your feedback matters. With a view to continuous improvement of our services, the EPSO accessibility team  will invite you, at the end of each selection test, to share your feedback regarding the accommodations granted.

Should you experience difficulties accessing some parts of our website or tools with assistive technology – please accept our apologies. We are working on improving our accessibility. 

Please contact us if you want to share your observations or to receive an accessible format or assistance.

All reasonable accommodation requests require documentation on official letterhead with a signature. Documentation without both elements is invalid and will not be accepted. 

The EPSO Accessibility Team assesses each request based on the quality and clarity of supporting materials such as:
 

MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

that must explicitly describe:

• The nature of your disability or medical condition
• Functional limitations affecting test participation
• Justification for requested accommodations
   

DISABILITY CERTIFICATES

Only accepted when accompanied by a certificate that clearly describes the nature of the disability. A disability certificate alone is NOT sufficient if it does not include detailed description of your condition and justification for adjustments.

SPECIALIST REPORTS

Must be provided by qualified medical professionals or specialists who can attest to:

• Your specific condition
• How it affects your test-taking abilities
• Why specific accommodations are necessary

Multiple medical conditions do NOT automatically lead to cumulative accommodations—each request is assessed individually.Final arrangements may differ from your initial request based on EPSO's assessment.

⚠️ CRITICAL POLICY NOTICE: "No Certificates No Adjustments"

EPSO is committed to ensuring that pregnant candidates and new parents can participate in selection tests without disadvantage related to pregnancy or childbirth.

If you cannot test on your scheduled date because:

•  The test date falls within 42 days after you gave birth (you should inform EPSO as soon as possible via email to the Accessibility team and provide the birth certificate as soon as it is available)
•  If unable to test on the testing date due to medical reasons (only with medical certificate which covers the testing date via email to Accessibility team.
•  If your partner is giving birth on the testing date (please follow the Test Rescheduling Policy for Medical or Family Emergencies.

You can ask for a postponement of participation.

Please note that:

• flexible breaks are not technically possible. Therefore, due to the length of the majority of the tests, breaks for breastfeeding are not provided to online testing candidates

• baby cannot stay in the room with the candidate

   

⚠️IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS:

•  All accommodation requests must be supported by a medical/birth certificate from your doctor
•  Inform EPSO of your pregnancy when you apply, or as soon as possible before your test date

Need more information? 

For general information, visit our Equal Opportunities webpage or browse the Accommodation FAQs.

Get in touch - especially if you have a certificate to submit on an urgent basis.

Website accessibility

If you experience difficulties accessing our website or tools with assistive technology, please contact the EPSO Accessibility Team to report the issue or request an accessible format or assistance.

Only candidates invited to sit a test at a test centre may be entitled to a financial contribution towards travel and accommodation costs, in accordance with the Rules on Financial contributions.

Reimbursement is limited to the standard flat rates defined in the rules.

How to request reimbursement

To request reimbursement, complete and sign the standard form.

Deadline: You must submit your reimbursement request within 3 months of the testing session.

Documents required:

Please submit the completed and signed reimbursement request form together with:

• a Financial Identification Form (Business partners – legal entities and bank accounts – European Commission);
• a copy of your identity card (both sides, if applicable) or passport;
• all relevant travel documents (boarding passes, tickets, invoices, proof of payment, etc.);
• your invitation to the test centre, showing the date and time of your test.

Send the completed form and all supporting documents to EPSO.REIMBURSEMENT.CANDIDATE@ec.europa.eu.

Accepted travel documents:

• Plane: Boarding pass and/or ticket copy, please note the invoice alone is NOT sufficient.
• Train / Bus / Metro / Boat: Ticket copy, please note the invoice alone is NOT sufficient
• Car: Original fuel bill and/or toll ticket ≤ 2 days before the testing session; from a road leading to the Test location 
• Accomodation : Hotel invoice (Only if entitled to one accommodation contribution and max €171/night)
   

Candidates with special needs – Article 9

If you need to request reimbursement of additional costs under Article 9 – “Candidates with special needs” of the Rules on Financial Contributions, you must submit a prior approval request to EPSO.REIMBURSEMENT.CANDIDATE@ec.europa.eu within 5 days of receiving the invitation indicating the date and time of your test.
 

Documents required for prior approval

Please submit the completed and signed prior approval request together with:

• the prior approval request form and justification for applying under Article 9 (“further costs”);
• a copy of the offer(s) for transport and/or accommodation. At this stage, an offer is sufficient, and a screenshot showing the estimated booking cost is acceptable;
• your invitation to sit the test at a test centre.

Each prior approval request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
 

Requesting reimbursement after prior approval

After the testing session, use the same form as for your prior approval request and provide the supporting documents listed in the form.

Deadline: The reimbursement request must be submitted within 3 months of the testing session.

If you have any questions about the reimbursement process or need clarification regarding your eligibility, please contact EPSO.REIMBURSEMENT.CANDIDATE@ec.europa.eu before attending your test.