Europass CV in English: Format, structure and how to use it
The Europass CV is a standardised document recognised across Europe. It helps you present your skills, education, and experience clearly, making it easier to apply for jobs or study opportunities across the EU.
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The Europass CV is a valuable tool for anyone applying for jobs across Europe, especially if you’re an English speaker seeking opportunities in different EU countries. It helps you record, update, and present your skills, qualifications, and experience in a clear, standardised format recognised throughout Europe.
Through your Europass profile, you can access and download four key documents: the Europass CV, Mobility Document, Certificate Supplement, and Diploma Supplement. Together, they form your European Skills Passport.
These resources make it easier to highlight your abilities across borders, even when application styles and employer expectations vary from country to country. In most cases, applicants simply use the European CV format rather than submitting all four documents. If you’re new to Europass, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This guide explains everything you need to know, including the different CV formats, when to use Europass, key tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
What is the structure of the Europass CV format?
The Europass CV follows a clear, standardised structure designed to make writing and reading CVs easier across Europe. Unlike many English-style CVs, it does not include a personal statement or professional summary at the top.
Instead, it begins with your name and contact details, followed by sections on work experience, education, and skills. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in each part.
Personal information:
[Every Europass CV template starts with your name and contact details. Not least so recruiters can get in touch with you if they want to find out more or arrange an interview. You should include your name, address, phone number, and email address. With Europass, you also have the option of including a picture, plus your nationality, date of birth, and gender]
Work experience:
[The jobs you add to your Europass profile will be listed in reverse-chronological order. As well as the job title, employer, and dates of employment, this will typically include a summary of each job role with 3-6 duties and responsibilities. You can add and remove jobs from your Europass CV by ticking and unticking boxes.]
Education:
[In the education section, you’ll list any relevant education or training for the job in question. As with your work experience, all of your qualifications will be listed on your Europass profile. It’s then up to you to decide which you include and exclude on your Europass CV.]
Skills:
[Onto your skills section, which is broken down as follows:
- Mother tongue – Your native language or ‘first’ language.
- Known foreign languages – For languages other than your mother tongue, list abilities in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- Communication skills – CV examples for Europass have a specific section for interpersonal skills.
- Organisational skills – Relating to the coordination of projects, budgets, and people.
- Job-related skills – Technical skills (hard skills) relating to the job you’re applying for.
- Digital skills – Any digital tools or software you’re familiar with or proficient in.
Each of these subsections can be backed up by specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your skills.]
Europass CV template
The Europass CV is generated automatically from your online Europass profile, using a fixed structure recognised across Europe. While that format can’t be replicated exactly on other platforms, you can still create a professional CV that follows the same European standards and looks even better by using a CV template.
Below is an example of a CV in the Europass format.
JIM MYDDLETON
jim.myddleton@example example.co.uk | 07912345678
53 Church Way, Bradford BD19JR
WORK HISTORY
Office Manager | Halpert & Co Paper Company – Leeds, West Yorkshire 03/2019 – CURRENT
- Managed 20-employee office, supervising workers, enhancing productivity and driving efficiency.
- Oversaw office budget to responsibly allocate equipment and resources.
- Improved overall office efficiency by establishing smooth workflow processes, monitoring daily productivity and implementing modifications to eliminate operational bottlenecks.
Internal Communications Manager | A&J Legal – Bradford, West Yorksire 01/2013 – 03/2019
- Applied brand awareness and appropriate tone of voice across all communications to strengthen company image.
- Maximised communication opportunities through intensive forward-planning and events research.
- Devised and executed aligned communication strategy across six platforms.
Office Assistant | Happy Homes Estate Agents – Bradford, West Yorkshire 07/2007 – 12/2012
- Managed day-to-day admin, including file organisation, spreadsheet development, and report writing.
- Created weekly and monthly reports and presentations, enabling improved operational analysis.
- Maintained office files for reliable reference, including electronic and hard copies.
SKILLS
- Mother tongue – English
- Interpersonal – Strong leadership for staff teams of 10+
- Organisation – Multi-tasking ability and deadline-driven
- Language skills – Spanish C1
- Job-related skills – Business administration and documentation control
- Digital skills – Sage and Microsoft Office
EDUCATION
University of Leeds, Leeds
2007
Bachelor of Business Administration
What is Europass?
Europass is an initiative launched by the European Union to improve the clarity of qualifications and facilitate the mobility of citizens throughout Europe. It comprises an online profile, which includes all of a candidate’s background information, qualifications, skills, and work history.
When kept up to date, that profile can be shared directly with recruiters or used to make an EU CV. For the latter, you choose ‘create a CV’, then ‘start from your profile’, before adding or removing sections to tailor your CV to a specific role or sector.
Aside from your CV, Europass gives you access to the following documents:
- Mobility document – Recording any work experience or training obtained in another country with the help of partner organisations.
- Certificate supplement – Clearly describes the skills and knowledge from vocational training to make them easier for foreign organisations to understand.
- Diploma supplement – Similar to the above, this document makes it easier to understand the skills and knowledge you have acquired through your degree or diploma.
Previously, Europass included a language passport to outline candidates’ proficiency in various languages according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, this has now been integrated into the CV profile under the skills section.
When to use Europass
Europass can be a useful platform and a suitable way to create a CV, depending on your circumstances. Here are some of the scenarios where you should consider creating a profile and CV through Europass, such as the following:
When you’re unsure about requirements
If you’re unsure about the conventions, requirements, or preferences when applying for jobs in a foreign country, Europass is a safe bet. The structure is recognised by recruiters throughout the EU, removing the guesswork with other CV formats.
When it’s requested by recruiters
There may be some instances where recruiters specifically request applications through Europass. Naturally, it’s best to follow their guidance by downloading and sending Europass documents or sharing a link to your Europass profile if explicitly requested.
When you want something for free
Sometimes it just comes down to cost. Because Europass is completely free, it’s an easier alternative to writing a CV from scratch while being cheaper than the other options. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s the best. As you might expect, Europass doesn’t quite match the paid alternatives, but it’s a reasonable compromise if you’re looking to cut down on costs, providing the most basic version of what you need.
When not to use Europass
Despite all of the above, there are various instances where Europass and its CV builder are not suitable. Here are some cases in which you should definitely choose an alternative CV format.
When you want your CV to stand out
The documents available through Europass come with a standard design and structure. When you’re applying for competitive roles, that won’t be enough to make you stand out for all the right reasons. If you want to impress recruiters, a professional, customisable CV template will put you head and shoulders above the rest. Using a European CV format will ensure that you still tick all the boxes in terms of structure and content, but with a much better design.
When you want a one-page CV
Writing your CV on one page is a great way to keep recruiters happy and prevent them from losing interest. If you want to build a concise one-page CV, Europass isn’t the best option. Because you don’t have complete freedom with the design, it’s hard to cut down the length without sacrificing some of your achievements or skills.
When you’re applying for jobs in the UK
Europass CVs are rarely used in the UK, even though the country was part of the EU for nearly five decades. Most UK recruiters are unfamiliar with the Europass format and often view it as too generic or outdated. As a result, your CV might not appeal to their taste. We recommend using a UK CV format that meets local recruiter expectations and highlights your strengths more effectively.
When you need full creative control
Europass uses a fixed layout with limited formatting options. You can’t easily adjust spacing, reorder sections, or add unique design elements, which can make your CV feel rigid. If you want your CV to reflect your personal brand or career style, a custom template gives you far more flexibility.
Europass CV vs UK format
There are a number of key differences between the Europass CV format and the preferred UK structure. If you apply for jobs in the UK using a Europass CV, these differences will stand out to recruiters and likely see your application overlooked.
| Feature | Europass CV Format | UK CV Format |
| Personal Statement | Not included. Starts directly with personal details. | Begins with a short, tailored personal statement that summarises your strengths, experience, and goals. |
| Layout and Design | Fixed, standardised design used across all Europass CVs. | Fully customisable design with flexible sections and professional templates. |
| Length | Typically runs over one page, often 2–3 pages. | Usually one page for early career roles or two for experienced professionals. |
| Skills Section | Divided into multiple subcategories (communication, organisational, digital, etc.). | A concise list that combines transferable, technical, and role-specific skills. |
| Tone and Focus | Formal, standardised, and less personal. | Engaging and targeted, focused on achievements and value to the employer. |
| Audience | Recognised across the EU but less well-known in the UK. | The standard and expected format for UK recruiters. |
| Flexibility | Content and section order are preset. | Highly adaptable. Reorder or remove sections based on the role. |
Personal statement
Starting from the top, a personal statement or professional summary is vital for UK recruiters. It introduces you as an applicant through your most important skills, qualifications, or experience. Because Europass CVs don’t include a professional summary, they can seem impersonal and incomplete.
CV length
One page is undoubtedly the preferred length of CV for UK recruiters. It allows them to find everything they need in one place and shows that you’ve kept your skills, experience, and qualifications relevant to the job at hand. Europass CVs typically extend beyond the one-page mark, sitting awkwardly between 1–2 or 2–3 pages.
Skills section
The Europass CV format has a very specific way of listing skills, with languages, organisation, communication, digital, and finally job-specific skills. In contrast, the UK skills section is really concise and on point. There’s no need to list language skills unless they relate to the job you’re applying for. Transferable skills relating to organisation, communication, and digital proficiency should be mixed in with technical, job-specific skills, rather than being split into their own sub-sections.
Create a European CV in English with My Perfect CV
Building a CV for European applications doesn’t have to mean using the basic Europass template. With My Perfect CV, you can follow the same trusted European CV format while giving your document a professional, standout design that recruiters notice.
My Perfect CV builder lets you:
- Use a European-style format recognised across Europe
- Choose from 20+ professional CV templates in English
- Customise every section to highlight your experience and skills
- Download, update, and reuse your CV anytime you apply
If you want a European CV that meets international standards but still feels personal and professional, our builder makes it quick, easy, and effective.
Dos and don’ts for the best Europass CVs
The Europass CV format is simple to use, but a few smart tweaks can make a big difference to how recruiters see you. Keep these key dos and don’ts in mind to make your Europass CV as strong as possible.
Europass allows you to customise your CV for specific roles. Select ‘create a CV’, ‘start from your profile’, then go through your experience, education, and skills to make sure everything is relevant to the job at hand.
The Europass CV is a format in its own right. But there are still some universal CV writing rules that apply. Listing your most recent job roles and qualifications first allows recruiters to see the most relevant information before working backwards to find out more.
Because you’re generating a CV directly from your Europass profile, some information could get lost along the way as you check and uncheck boxes to remove certain details. As such, you should always give your CV a final read to make sure everything works as a whole.
When applying for jobs with Europass, you have the choice to generate a CV or share a link directly to your profile. Although it might be the quickest option, the latter can appear unprofessional to recruiters. It’s worth a bit more of your time to create a CV tailored to the job at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Europass CV
Who uses a Europass CV?
Europass CVs are used for a wide range of job roles, experience levels, and countries throughout Europe. They’re ideal for candidates applying in foreign countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, who might be unaware of the conventions for that particular region. Here’s a list of the full 30 countries that will accept a Europass format CV:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
Is a Europass CV the best choice?
The main issue with Europass is that it’s overly rigid and formulaic. Its standard design and limited layout options make it difficult for applicants to stand out. The result is a CV that can look plain, text-heavy, and easy for recruiters to overlook.In addition, Europass offers little flexibility for perfecting your layout. You can’t adjust section spacing, line breaks, or font size — which often means your CV doesn’t fit neatly on one or two pages. In contrast, a specialist AI-powered CV builder gives you full control over the look and layout, so your CV feels refined, modern, and truly professional.
Is Europass free?
Yes – Europass is funded by the European Union, so it’s completely free to use. That means there’s no cost to build your profile, create a Europass CV, download as a PDF, and even edit your CV on Europass.
Should I use a Europass CV?
While the Europass CV is accepted in numerous countries, there are no places where it’s the only format accepted. As a result, it’s never a requirement when applying for a job – nor is it the best option. The Europass CV format is simply the most basic, free option that provides a basic template for a European CV.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you priorities. If you’re looking for something that’s more convenient than going it alone and solely concerned about costs, Europass is a good fit. If you want to create a CV that recruiters truly love, there are plenty of other CV templates to choose from.
Is the Europass CV still used in 2026?
Yes, the Europass CV is still active and accepted across the European Union. However, it’s no longer the preferred choice for many professionals, who now opt for more visually appealing CV formats that follow the same European standards.
What’s included in the Europass profile?
Your Europass profile contains your personal details, education, work experience, language skills, and digital skills. From there, you can generate your CV or share your profile link.
Europass CV – key takeaways
All in all, Europass is a basic safety net for applicants throughout the EU. It allows you to build a profile, from which you can create a standard, passable CV for free.
Because the Europass CV format is widely recognised, the platform and documents are suitable for candidates moving between different European countries. However, they’re neither required nor the best option. You can easily build a European CV that ticks all the boxes with a much better design using one of our Word CV templates.
If you do use Europass, remember to put in the extra effort by:
- Sending a Europass CV rather than a link to your profile.
- Tailoring your skills, qualifications, and experience to the job you’re applying for.
- Proofreading your application before downloading and sending.
But if you really want to impress recruiters, it’s well worth looking at the alternatives. Using My Perfect CV’s online builder, you can tailor your CV to European standards while still benefiting from professionally made CV templates with impressive designs.
Related CV formats, templates and top UK examples
Create your perfect European CV in a few easy steps
Start with a professionally designed template that matches the European CV format, then add expert content written to get results. My Perfect CV builder helps you fine-tune every section, from experience to skills, so your CV looks sharp and reads clearly. In just minutes, you’ll have a recruiter-ready CV that’s ready to download, share, and make an impression.
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