Europass is a standard form: Personal information, Work experience, Education and training, Language skills (CEFR), Digital skills, Driving licence.
Abroad · Formats and samples
Europass: when a European-format CV is needed
Europass is the single resume format developed by the European Union: every candidate fills in the same sections and language levels follow the CEFR scale.
In short
Send it only when asked: EU programmes, universities, some employers in Eastern and Southern Europe.
For the private sector in Germany and the UK use a classic Lebenslauf or an English CV - Europass is not expected there.
It is needed for EU programmes, academic applications and some employers in Eastern and Southern Europe; private companies in Germany and the UK prefer a classic Lebenslauf or an English CV.
What Europass is
Europass is the official EU set of documents: the resume (Europass CV), a language passport and a diploma supplement. The CV is filled in a free online editor on the Europass portal (europa.eu) and downloaded as a PDF. The aim is that employers and institutions across the EU read any candidate in the same structure.
The format is fixed: section order and names do not change and there is no design choice. That makes it convenient in official and academic settings, while on the private market it looks like a template.
Europass sections
| Section | What to write | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Personal information | Name, address, phone, e-mail, nationality, date of birth, photo (optional) | Too much for the UK, normal for EU programmes |
| Work experience | Job title, employer, city and country, dates, main duties | Most recent first |
| Education and training | Institution, degree, years, main subjects | Courses go here too |
| Language skills | Mother tongue and other languages: Understanding (listening, reading), Speaking, Writing - each A1-C2 | Certificate name and level if you have one |
| Digital skills | List of software and systems: Excel, 1C, AutoCAD | A list, not a level |
| Driving licence | Category: B, C, CE | Matters for drivers and logistics |
| Additional information | Certificates, projects, volunteering | Only relevant items |
Stating CEFR language levels honestly
In Europass a language is not rated with one word but across three skills: understanding (listening and reading), speaking, writing. Each gets a level from A1 to C2 - and they may differ: most people read better than they speak.
- A1-A2: everyday phrases, simple requests; at work - understanding a foreman's instructions.
- B1: independent communication on everyday and work topics - the expected level for most manual trades.
- B2: fluent communication, reading documents and instructions - required for nurses and engineers.
- C1-C2: professional and academic texts, research applications.
If you hold a certificate, state it: Goethe B1, IELTS 6.5, TOPIK 4. Do not inflate the level - EU programmes include an interview or a test.
When Europass is requested
- EU programmes and scholarships: Erasmus+, research exchanges, EU-funded projects - the application form often requires Europass specifically.
- Universities and academic applications: master and doctoral programmes, research positions.
- Some employers and public bodies in Eastern and Southern Europe - when the advert says «Europass CV».
- Official recognition procedures: one uniform form is convenient for confirming a diploma and qualifications.
The rule is simple: if the advert or application form asks for Europass, send it; if not, send a CV in the country format.
Why Germany and the UK do not expect Europass
A German employer expects a tabular Lebenslauf with a photo, date and signature line; Europass looks long and bureaucratic to them. In the private sector of Poland and other EU countries the weight of Europass is also falling: employers in manufacturing and logistics prefer a plain English or Polish CV with an RODO clause. The German format is described on the Germany page.
In the UK a CV carries no photo, date of birth or nationality - exactly what the Europass Personal information section asks for. That is why an English CV is built for the United Kingdom and the Gulf: its structure and sample are on the English CV page in the Chet elga section.
Europass or a classic international CV: which to choose
| Situation | Choice |
|---|---|
| EU programme, scholarship, Erasmus+ | Europass |
| University, research position | Europass or an academic CV |
| Germany, private employer | Lebenslauf in German |
| United Kingdom, Gulf | English CV |
| Poland, manufacturing and logistics | English or Polish CV with an RODO clause |
| Advert explicitly asks for Europass | Europass, plus the country format |
The Resum.uz constructor has no separate Europass template: you fill Europass in the editor on the EU portal. The constructor produces a CV in the country format - for Poland an English CV with an RODO clause, for Germany a Lebenslauf. Moving the data you entered once into the Europass form is easy: the sections are the same, only the language level is split into three skills. In the «Chet elga» package the translation is done by artificial intelligence - not a certified translation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Europass CV free?
Yes, it is filled in for free on the official Europass portal and downloaded as a PDF; registration is optional. Paid «we will make your Europass» services charge for the text, not the format.
Does a Europass CV need a photo?
Optional. A photo is usual for EU programmes and Southern Europe and is left out for the UK and Ireland. Use a neutral background and business-style clothing.
In which language is Europass filled in?
The language of the application: usually English for EU programmes, the local language for an employer in a specific country. The portal translates section names itself; you write the text.
Is Europass suitable for Germany?
For private employers - no, they expect a German-format Lebenslauf and an Anschreiben. For a university, research grant or EU project - yes. Recognition bodies (Anabin, ZAB) ask for diploma documents, not a CV.
How does Europass differ from a regular CV?
In Europass the sections and layout are fixed, languages are rated across three skills on the CEFR scale and there is more personal data. A regular international CV is freer: 1-2 pages, adapted to the country rules, photo and date only where needed.
Can I build a Europass CV in the Resum.uz constructor?
No, there is no Europass template in the constructor - it is filled in on the EU portal. The constructor produces a CV in the country format: Poland, Germany, the UK, the Gulf, Korea. Copying the data from the constructor into the Europass form takes a few minutes.
Start with the resume
Country format, translation into its language and Word - online, right after payment. A regular resume in the builder is free.
Build a CV for PolandUpdated: