The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering an internship in the Institutional Law Division of its Legal Services Department at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, covering the governance and functioning of an international organisation. Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy and set out every task, requirement and eligibility rule below.
The Internship at a Glance
The internship sits within ESA's Strategy, Legal and External Matters Directorate. These are the formal details of the vacancy:
🆔 Job Requisition ID: 20964
🎓 Type of appointment: Intern
🏛️ Directorate: Strategy, Legal and External Matters
📍 Workplace: Paris, FR
🗺️ Location: ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
📣 Publication method: External Only
📅 Closing date: 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET/CEST
ESA and the Legal Services Department
The European Space Agency is an international organisation and the European gateway to space. Together with its Member States, the Agency expands the boundaries of discovery and exploration and provides space applications for the benefit of citizens on Earth.
The Legal Services Department provides the full range of legal services across ESA's programmes and legal disciplines, such as public international law, European law and the national law of ESA's Member States.
What the Department Does for the Agency
The Legal Services Department provides authoritative legal advice to the Director General, the Directorates, but also to Council and other organs of the Agency, to achieve the objectives set out in the ESA Convention.
As such, the Department participates in the decision making among Member States, formulating legal opinions and bringing new ideas to formalise space policies and programmes in Europe.
Your Team and Working Environment
You will be part of a team of highly motivated, skilled lawyers working in an inspirational, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in France →
────────────────────────────────────────
Fields of Activity for the Internship
You will support the Institutional Law Division on legal matters relating to the governance and functioning of an international organisation. Topics may include:
🏛️ The institutional framework and decision-making procedures of the European Space Agency, including the work of its Council and subordinate bodies
📜 The interpretation and application of the Agency's internal rules, policies and legal instruments
🛂 Legal questions concerning the status, privileges and immunities of an international organisation
🌐 The interaction between public international law, European Union law and the national laws of Member States
🔍 Legal research, analysis and drafting in support of the Division's advisory work
What You Will Gain
Through these activities, you will gain practical knowledge of institutional law and strengthen your legal research, analytical and drafting skills.
Your Tasks as an Intern
As an intern, you will have the following tasks:
📚 Carry out legal research and analysis on public international law, including European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates
✍️ Prepare and contribute to the drafting, review and processing of a variety of legal instruments (agreements, memoranda, etc.) and other documents
🔭 Monitor and review developments in international law, including the evolution of legal doctrine and its practical application in international organisations
🤝 Contribute to the Department's daily operations by supporting the work of legal officers
Behavioural Competencies
The vacancy lists the following ESA core behavioural competencies:
🏁 Result Orientation
⚙️ Operational Efficiency
🫱 Fostering Cooperation
💬 Relationship Management
🔄 Continuous Improvement
🧭 Forward Thinking
For more information, the vacancy refers to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.
Who Can Apply: Education
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Language Requirements
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Additional Requirements and Assets
During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Knowledge and background in public international law, including European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates, demonstrated through both study and experience, are an asset.
When the Internship Starts and How Long It Lasts
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027. The exact start date is agreed with the ESA tutor.
Application Limit
According to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships, one candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies.
Eligible Nationalities
Applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States:
🌍 Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
Selection Process
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. It welcomes applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
At the Agency, diversity is valued and people with disabilities are welcome. Whenever possible, ESA seeks to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process, and you can contact ESA by email using the address in the Links section below.
Important Information
The information published on ESA's careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance; our guide to paid internships abroad explains how funded traineeships work. You can find more opportunities like this in the internships and traineeships section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Institutional Law Division internship based?
The internship is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, within the Legal Services Department of ESA's Strategy, Legal and External Matters Directorate. The vacancy lists Paris, FR as the workplace.
What is the deadline to apply?
The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 23:59 CET/CEST. Applications are submitted through the ESA careers website.
What will I work on during this internship?
You will support the Institutional Law Division on legal matters relating to the governance and functioning of an international organisation. Your tasks include legal research and analysis, drafting and reviewing legal instruments, monitoring developments in international law and supporting the work of legal officers.
Which legal topics may the internship cover?
The vacancy names the institutional framework and decision-making procedures of ESA, the interpretation and application of the Agency's internal rules, policies and legal instruments, and the status, privileges and immunities of an international organisation. It also names the interaction between public international law, European Union law and the national laws of Member States, and legal research, analysis and drafting.
Who can apply for this internship?
You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. You must also be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.
Which nationalities are eligible?
Applications are only considered from nationals of the 27 States named in the vacancy, from Austria and Belgium to Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Applicants from Canada as a Cooperating State and from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States can apply as well. The full list is in the Eligible Nationalities section above.
When does the internship start and how long does it last?
According to ESA's 2027 student internships announcement, an internship lasts between 3 and 6 months and starts from February 2027, with the exact start date agreed with the ESA tutor.
Which languages do I need?
The working languages of the Agency are English and French, and a good knowledge of one of them is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.
Do I need a background in international law?
Knowledge and background in public international law, including European Union law, and the relevant national laws of the jurisdictions in which the Agency operates, demonstrated through both study and experience, are listed as an asset. During the interview, your motivation for applying to the role will be explored.
How many ESA internship vacancies can I apply for?
One candidate can apply for a maximum of 2 vacancies, according to ESA's announcement of its 2027 student internships.
Is the internship paid?
The vacancy does not state a stipend or allowance.
What happens during the selection process?
Your motivation for applying to the role will be explored during the interview. ESA may also ask applicants to undergo selection tests.
Which behavioural competencies does ESA list?
The vacancy lists six ESA core behavioural competencies: Result Orientation, Operational Efficiency, Fostering Cooperation, Relationship Management, Continuous Improvement and Forward Thinking.
Deadline
⏳ 30 November 2026
Links
🔗 Full vacancy and application (Apply now): https://jobs.esa.int/job/Paris-Intern-in-the-Legal-Services-Department-Institutional-Law-Division/1452870133/
📘 ESA Student Internships 2027 announcement: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/ESA_Student_Internships_2027_are_now_open
⚖️ ESA Legal Services Department: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Law_at_ESA/ESA_Legal_Services_Department
🌐 ESA website: http://www.esa.int
📧 ESA student internships contact (diversity and accessibility questions): ESA.Student.Internships@esa.int
